# EMS Week heats up with a chili cook-off

/ Published May 28, 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
                Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Firefighter Thomas Chadima (center) receives the first place trophy from the fourth annual Fire and Police Department’s chili cook-off from the Defense Supply Center Columbus Installation’s Site Director Dan Bell (left) and Deputy Director Eddy Poprock. The May 24 celebration was a conclusion event for Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters.                            EMS Week heats up with a chili cook-off                            Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Firefighter Thomas Chadima (center) receives the first place trophy from the fourth annual Fire and Police Department’s chili cook-off from the Defense Supply Center Columbus Installation’s Site Director Dan Bell (left) and Deputy Director Eddy Poprock. The May 24 celebration was a conclusion event for Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Charles MorrisVIRIN: 190524-D-LC637-0081Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Fire and Emergency Services and Police Department held the fourth annual chili cook-off at the Defense Supply Center Columbus Fire Station May 24. 

The chili cook-off was first initiated in 2016 as a means to celebrate Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week. 

National Police Week took place May 12 – 18. According to policeweek.org, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

                Defense Supply Center Columbus judges Security Operations Chief Paul Batory (left), Deputy Site Director Eddy Poprock, Site Director Dan Bell and Materials Handler Darrell Pannell taste and rate each entry in the May 24 chili cook-off event between Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Fire and Emergency Services and Police Department. The event was a conclusion to Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters.                            EMS Week heats up with a chili cook-off                            Defense Supply Center Columbus judges Security Operations Chief Paul Batory (left), Deputy Site Director Eddy Poprock, Site Director Dan Bell and Materials Handler Darrell Pannell taste and rate each entry in the May 24 chili cook-off event between Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Fire and Emergency Services and Police Department. The event was a conclusion to Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Charles MorrisVIRIN: 190524-D-LC637-0025In 1974, President Gerald R. Ford signed the Emergency Medical Services Systems bill and proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week from November 3 - 10. In 1982, the observance moved to September and in 1992 the week moved to its current slot in May.  These moves were made to separate EMS Week from Fire Prevention week in October.

“The full intent is also to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters,” Assistant Fire Chief Paul Alexander said. “Between the two agencies, there was tough competition for the coveted first place trophy with 7 entries.” 

At the end of the day the first place trophy went to Firefighter Thomas Chadima.  Second and third place went to firefighters Joseph Dougher and Neil Cornett, respectively.