The Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual barbecue on Saturday Oct. 4.

For the first time, the event will also offer take-out plates or the option to dine in at the Jefferson Community Club.

Pit-cooked barbecue by the pound will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Then at 10:30 a.m., guests can dine in or purchase takeout plates until 4:30 p.m. Plates include barbecue, potato salad, cake, bread, and pickles. The cost per pound or per plate is $9.

In the past, Jefferson’s Community Club barbecue in April was the only sit-down barbecue of the year, but at the request of long-time supporters of the event, the fire department will host an identical event. All proceeds of the Oct. 4 barbecue will benefit the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department.

Its barbecue, held each October, is the primary fundraiser for the JVFD. Like all its other functions, the event is operated by volunteers and families who donate their time and talents to improve the community.

Last month, JVFD received an all-time high 6/6X rating by Insurance Services Office (ISO) following an April inspection. The classification is a two-point improvement for the department, based on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 reflecting no protection.

ISO provides information to insurance companies to help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties, based on a community’s fire protection services.

The company conducts periodic inspections as part of its Public Protection Classification program.

Because of the classification improvement for JVFD, several property owners have already seen a decrease in their insurance premiums. Area residents who have not checked with their insurance agent are encouraged to do so.

Members of JVFD also offer outreach to area youth. This summer, they visited with children at AME Zion Church’s youth day and at Jefferson Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School to talk about fire safety and prevention.

They have presented rural fire safety information at Jefferson Community Club, and also distributed smoke alarms with batteries to 50 households in the service area.

For more information or to learn more about the barbecue on Oct. 4, follow Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook or email the department at JeffersonVFDept@gmail.com.