Firehouse Cooking: Obstacles and Functions

Firehouse cooking has endured despite the presence of many obstacles. Most fire departments have never financially supported firehouse cooking. Firefighters negotiate the menu among themselves, ride the fire truck to shop together for food so that if they receive a call they are ready to abandon their carts at the market and respond to the emergency, and divide the cost of each meal among those present. Moreover, firefighters contribute to a commissary fund to provide staple ingredients and to fund necessary maintenance of the kitchen equipment.