Chili war not a routine contest
Jackson Bell
To the winners go bragging rights and the opportunity to help a local
charity. The losers, well, get to wear chili.
There will be a lot at stake today when teams of Burbank and
Warner Bros. firefighters try to pull each other into a vat of chili
during a tug-of-war match at 8:30 a.m. at the Wienerschnitzel parking
lot at 1101 N. San Fernando Road.
The hot-dog chain will donate $1,000 to the Burbank Center for the
Retarded in the name of the winning team’s department.
“Firefighters are very competitive, and even more so between other
firefighters,” said Burbank Fire Capt. Ron Bell. “We would never want
to miss a chance to pull our brothers and sisters into a big tub of
chili.”
Since October is both National Fire Prevention Month and National
Chili Month, Wienerschnitzel spokeswoman Julie Reed said the
restaurant wanted to host a fun activity that mixes the two
celebrations. This is the first time the city and the studio fire
department will participate in the chili tug-of-war.
“It’s a fun event, and the firefighters involved in it will have a
good time while benefiting charity,” Reed said.
The restaurant asked Burbank Fire to participate in the event and
let the department choose its opponent.
Bell said Warner Bros. Fire was the obvious choice, since it often
collaborates on events ranging from safety fairs and fund-raisers to
training programs.
Warner Bros. Fire chief Chuck Lisi said his department is up to
the challenge.
“The competition is always there with best friends, and it’s the
American way give it a good shot and see what happens,” said Lisi, a
former Burbank Fire captain. “Plus, we get a hot dog or two.”