MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Local pitmasters brought their best sauces and techniques to Poga on Saturday for the 2nd annual First Responder Rib Cookoff.

The Elk Mills/Poga Volunteer Fire Department raised funds to rebuild the fire department and replace equipment lost in Hurricane Helene.

Volunteer Firefighter Darren Clark said the department looks forward to “coming back, building and being bigger and better than we were before.”

“We actually did this last year in July right before the storm. And it was just a fundraiser to get needed gear and equipment. And then everything we bought kind of washed down the river in September. So this is our chance to try to get money now to put in Station 30, it’s very special.”

By the end of the cookoff, the judges decided who brought the best ribs to Poga.

The event was hosted at Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City.