Any eastern North Carolinian will tell you, barbecue from this region is the better than the rest. But barbecue, and chicken, from Pinetown Volunteer Fire, Rescue and EMS may just be the best of the best — because it’s for a very good cause.

Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the station, barbecue, chicken and combo plates will be handed out to all comers for a donation to the cause: supplying fire, rescue and EMS services with equipment.

“Generally, we want people to come out to support their local fire department and local rescue squad,” said Pinetown volunteer Doug Bissette. “The more money we raise is money we don’t have to ask the county for.”

Currently, they’re looking at upgrades that will serve the community they serve better, he said.

“We’re trying to upgrade our fire station in Long Acre and we’re trying to upgrade our rescue trucks — those are our two biggest items right now,” Bissette explained. “EMS equipment is not cheap.”

Last year, Pinetown Rescue and EMS responded to 110 calls; Pinetown VFD, responded to 54. The volunteer squads do receive money from the county but it’s their fundraisers that pay for upgrades that might not be affordable otherwise. For longer than many of its current members can remember, Pinetown Fire, Rescue and EMS has held the fundraiser to augment their budgets.

“They’ve always done it, for as long as people can remember is what they’ll tell you — at least 20 years,” Bissette said.

That means 20 years of prepping and cooking hundreds of pounds of potatoes, 450 chickens and 12 pigs by the fire, rescue and EMS volunteers themselves. Other volunteers supply the homemade desserts, though those are sold separately, while the plates have no set price.

“Most give $7, some give more. It just depends on who’s in line,” Bissette said.

Fundraising aside, Bissette said Saturday’s event is an opportunity for the community to come together.

“We get out there and hang out with the people, the community coming together. It takes all of us to make the volunteer EMS and fire squads run,” Bissette, though he did have this warning for barbecue lovers: “Better get there early.”

The Pinetown Fire, Rescue and EMS facility is located at 7262 North Boyd Road, Pinetown.