ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Oddly as it may seem, the Orange Beach Fire Department will soon be starting a fire in order to better serve the community when it comes to fires and emergency situations.

On June 13, the firemen of Orange Beach, along with volunteers and the OBFD Ladies Auxilary will be hosting their 43rd annual BBQ.

Money raised from the annual fundraiser is used to provide the community with free CPR classes held twice a month at the fire department, as well as fire prevention and public education programs for our local schools, day cares and senior groups.

In addition, funds this year will help pay for a new state of the art radio system that will help emergency crews communicate from inside the new concrete structures being built in the community.

“There are areas where we can go with the present communication system where we might lose contact,” said Lt. Craig Stephenson, who is in his second year as coordinator of the event. “With the new system, however, wherever we go, we will not lose communication.”

Stephenson said the high tech equipment and training helps keep the city’s Insurance Service Organization class rating down, which, in turn, helps keep local insurance rates down.

In order to establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for commercial and residential properties, insurance companies gather information about a community’s fire protection services to establish their rating. The lower the rating, the better, with Class 1 representing superior property fire protection and Class 10 indicating that the area’s fire-suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.

Stephenson said that is why this BBQ is such an important fundraiser for the community.

Not to mention, it’s down right good.

“We will be cooking over 4,000 pounds of pork butts over a hickory and pecan smoke fire beginning on Friday afternoon in our BBQ pit known as The Black Dragon,” Sephenson said.

The BBQ will be at the Orange Beach Community Center on Canal Road, just across the street from new Fire Station No. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. and going until 3 p.m. The cost is $7 per person, which includes your choice of plate or two sandwiches.  The plate will include a pound of pork, baked beans, cole slaw, bread and a pickle. Whole butts will be available as well, and there will be eat-in or drive thru service available.

The OBFD Ladies Auxiliary will be selling home made brownies, cookies, cakes and pies.

Tickets will be available at the door, or can be purchased in advance by calling 981-6166.

“All of our firemen will be involved somehow, either by cooking or serving. This is a very important fundraiser for us and we would really appreciate everyone’s support,” Stephenson said.