June 9, 2007

Grill shift is labor of love

       Hundreds of ears of corn, 720 rib-eyes and 400 pounds of hamburger patties will be gobbled up at the Strawberry Festival today, thanks to two local firefighters.  For almost a decade, battalion chief Carey Slauter and ladder operator Jory Cox of the White River Township Fire Department have devoted an entire day cooking food during the festival.

         The 15th annual festival started Friday and continues today at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, 5199 W. Fairview Road in Greenwood.  The fire department runs the festival.  Activities include a 5K run, helicopter and fire truck displays, and activities for kids. Proceeds from the "Sound the Siren" 5K run go to the department's tornado and severe weather sirens.  Today's festivities officially begin with the run at 9 a.m., but the day will really start with Slauter and Cox's rib-eye and egg sandwiches.  The two used to make the sandwiches for themselves and their crew before their shifts began, but festival visitors caught on to the morning meal. Now the sandwiches are sold for breakfast.

         Slauter and Cox are used to cooking for a crowd. At Fire Station 53, Cox is the main cook, and Slauter cooks when Cox can't.  Cox makes two meals a day for his fellow firefighters during his shift. His specialties include fried chicken, jambalaya and stuffed pork chops.  Slauter and Cox, who have worked for the fire department for 20 and 11 years, respectively, said the camaraderie of the festival brings them back to the grill each year.  They enjoy talking with fellow firefighters and reminiscing about past runs.  "You spend a lot of time not seeing them, so it's good to see your brothers and sisters and catch up," Cox said.  They also like showing off their culinary skills to the public.  "I think it's nice to have the community come out and see what we're capable of," Slauter said.  Four other firefighters, including kitchen manager Tony Slusher, help out during the day, but spending all day cooking has become a tradition for the two.  Not just anyone can man the grill. Other firefighters, especially younger ones, have to work their way up in the kitchen.  "They've got to earn their position back there," Cox said.  As long as there is a Strawberry Festival, Slauter and Cox plan to cook for it.  "It's just fun. It's a lot of work, but inherently, it's what we do: working for each other and helping the community," Cox said. "What better way to spend the day than under the sun cooking good food for people?"  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

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