Area firefighters test their skills in an annual competition that benefits the American Cancer Society. Once again, officials met in secret and said they have no intention of making public any decisions they made behind closed doors until Oct. 3.

No, this wasn't a government meeting and the Sunshine Law doesn't apply.

This, in some ways, may be more serious business.

It's time once again for the Cherokee County Firefighter Games and, like in years past, organizers of the Olympic-type event are keeping the events and challenges secret until area firefighters show up at the Starmax of Gaffney parking lot to try and prove their skills, strength or knowledge of firefighting are the best of the best.

"No one will know what the events are at this point," said Darrell Hood Jr., a senior account executive at VFIS/Correll Insurance Group, which specializes in insurance policies for volunteer fire departments and is cosponsoring the event.

While the secrecy ensures no one has a leg up on the competition, it also adds a little bit of mystery to the event.

However, firefighters can be assured of two things. All of the competitions will test the skills firefighters rely on any time they respond to a fire and practically every event will require teamwork.

And while serious bragging rights come with winning the firefighter games, organizers say the most important thing about the competitions is that everyone, from participants to spectators, has fun.

"I think everyone enjoys just getting together," said Cherokee Creek Fire Chief Reggie Petty, who serves as chairman of the firefighter games committee for the Cherokee County Fire Chiefs Association.

Mostly, he said, the games are about camaraderie.

"It's about the only time firefighters can get together and practice their skills in a non-life threatening situation," Hood added.

All fire departments in Cherokee County are welcome to assemble teams for the competition, and practically every one does. The competition also is open to teams from neighboring counties and the annual games have attracted outside competition in the past from teams wanting to test themselves against Cherokee County's finest.

The event doesn't just put Cherokee County firefighters in the spotlight, it also raises needed funds for charity. All of the money raised by team entry fees goes to the American Cancer Society to aid in its ongoing searches for new treatments and cures.

While teams pay an entry fee for the chance to compete, watching the competitions costs nothing and the public is not only invited but encouraged to attend.

There will be games for children, fire safety exhibits as well as opportunities for children and the public to see emergency vehicles up close.

Events at last year's games including progressive line competitions, in which firefighters had to put hoses together, disassemble and store them under a stopwatch and bunker gear races.

About the only breach of event secrecy last year was the traditional inclusion of a bucket brigade competition, an old-time event that keeps coming back.

Team registrations begin at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 3 while the games will kick off at 9:30 a.m.