HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The firehouse chili that emanates from the Mayfield Heights Fire Department was voted for the second consecutive year the people's choice at the Second Annual 5-City, 5-Alarm Chili Cook-off held Saturday afternoon at the Highland Heights Community Center.

But this year, the South Euclid Fire Department did all it could to unseat their Mayfield Heights counterparts in the judges' minds for the event's top chili award, and that work paid off.

About 150 people attended the event that pitted fire departments from Mayfield Heights, South Euclid, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights and Lyndhurst against each other to determine who could make the best chili in the Hillcrest area.

Residents paid to sample the chili, with the results benefiting the Community Partnership on Aging's Safe at Home program.

"The Safe At Home program helps prevent falls at home for older adults," said Community Partnership on Aging Program Coordinator Therese Grida, who also organized the chili cook-off. "The program, for example, could install a shower grab bar in someone's house.

"The cost to Ohio residents for falls in the home is $4 billion a year," she said.

South Euclid Fire Department Fire Prevention Officer Scott Sebastian said his department worked this year with the local business Chef Ingredients to improve the department's chili for this year's cook-off.

"Each shift played a part in making the chili this year," Sebastian. "I told the guys that we have the best chefs in the area and today they proved me right."

The SEFD received the trophy for the cook-off's top chili, while the Mayfield Heights Fire Department won $500 for being voted the people's choice. MHFD Chief Bruce Elliott said the money would go towards helping needy Mayfield Heights residents at Christmas.

Those who want more information about the Safe at Home program can call the Community Partnership on Aging's main office at 216-291-3902.