Firefighters love the friendly rivalries between companies, especially when those companies are part of the same department. When those rivalries benefit a charity as important as the American Cancer Society, the turnout gear comes off and it's all hands on deck as evidenced by Tamaqua's East End and American Hose Co. No. 1's annual Chili and Boilo Cook Off.

In its fourth year, the annual competition is all about the bragging rights and the trophies, in addition to fighting a good cause. This year's event is scheduled from 1-5

p.m.Feb. 27at the East End Fire Company, 553 E. Broad St. in Tamaqua.The two fire companies have traditionally been longtime rivals, but those rivalries were extinguished in 2013 when cook-off coordinators Tom McCarroll of the East End and Brian Connely of the American Hose were socializing over a weekend. Both men are longtime firefighters, and McCarroll is a cancer survivor who has been dedicating a lot of time and effort to the Carbon/Tamaqua Unit of the ACS since his recovery. They decided to combine forces to fight the dreaded disease.Billed as "Coming Together for a Cause," the event has raised more than $2,500 in each of the past three years. Last year's event was slightly affected by a snowstorm, but the 2014 edition boasted 17 boilo and 16 chili entries. Organizers hope Punxsutawny Phil's prediction of an early spring was right and the weather cooperates this year.Prizes will be awarded for the best traditional and specialty chili and boilo.Special tasting and registration packages are available. Registration will begin at 11 a.m.For more information, or to register early, contact Brian Connely at 570-728-4743.