Behind Dartmouth Fire District No. 3’s headquarters building, volunteers and firefighters opened up two large ovens to reveal two 200-pound, fully roasted pigs which had been cooking for 18 hours.

It was time to get to work, and in about 15 minutes, bones, heads, and other undesirable parts had been picked clean, leaving fresh pork for guests at the department’s annual September 15 pig roast to feast on.

The annual tradition is hosted by the Paskamansett Engine Company, a nonprofit organization comprised of current and former members of Fire District No. 3. The roast raises money to help run various community service events like the department’s Halloween bash. Scholarships for Dartmouth students are also funded by the group.

Deputy Chief Ted Borges said the idea for a pig roast was rooted in bringing something different to the community. Clam bakes were common, and a pig roast was something the department could do itself.

Firefighter Craig Pimental oversaw the roast. He explained the process of hand-picking the meat produces a “pulled pork” style dish which is then served to the nearly 200 guests inside the station.

Craig’s father, Terry Pimental, is himself a former firefighter, and also serves on the District No. 3 Prudential Committee. He noted the event is more than a fundraiser -- it also provides bonding time for the firefighters.

“It seems like every time we got together, it was under working conditions,” Pimental said. “This just kind of brings all the guys together to do stuff together. It’s good for everybody, and the money that we make goes to a good cause.”

In addition to those handling the pork, Paula Bobola and about six volunteers got together to cook all the side dishes, including apple sauce, potato salad, and bean chourico.

This year, the event was also an opportunity to help out a firefighter in need. Tickets for a cash raffle to benefit Lt. Antone Dias were on sale. Dias was seriously injured off-duty in a crash on June 9, and is currently in a rehabilitation program. He has been out of work since the crash.

Tickets are still available and can be bought at the 140 Cross Road headquarters or by calling (508) 994-6761. A GoFundMe page has also been set up at gofundme.com/lt-antone-dias.