Yarmouth firefighter taking his comedic talents to charity comedy competition in Boston

Yarmouth firefighter Robert Reardon has always considered himself to be a funny guy. Quick on his feet, he tells me he’s always been able to take a situation and turn it into something comedic — especially when there’s a prop involved in the bit.

“My mother used to say that I always made her laugh,” he said. “So, I guess that's something.”

With 31 years in the service, Reardon said comedy is a big part of the camaraderie in the firehouse, noting that most firefighters have a sense of respectable “gallows humor” to make light of the situations in which they find themselves.

Now, he and five other New England firefighters have the chance to show off their comedic chops during America’s Funniest Firefighter New England Regional Finals, a comedy fundraiser hosted by Firefighters vs Cancer — a nonprofit dedicated to providing free occupational cancer screenings to firefighters.

Yarmouth firefighter to compete in charity comedy competition

Each firefighter is paired with a New England comedian and they’re challenged to create a 5-minute set to perform on the Florian Hall stage. Skits will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges and the winner takes home a $5,000 cash prize plus the chance to compete to be America’s Funniest Firefighter.

Reardon is working with Jimmy Dunn , a comedian from Boston and “Moose” on the Paramount+ reboot of “Frasier.”

“I really love the camaraderie (and) the ability to help,” he said.

"Public service is not something we do. It's in our blood. I think part of this is fulfilling that calling.”

Funds from the show support the work of Firefighters vs. Cancer and help cover the costs of occupational cancer screenings — a cause near and dear to Reardon’s heart. While he’s not in it to win it, Reardon said he’s excited to be the cause of chuckles and show his support for fellow firefighters.

After losing so many firefighter friends to occupational cancer, Reardon said this is not only an opportunity to make people laugh, but to give back back in a "sense to all those who we've lost."

And here’s a joke from Reardon to encourage you to go to the show. (It had me smiling.)

“I accidentally took my cat's medicine this morning,” he said. “Don't ask meow.”

America’s Funniest Firefighter New England Regional Finals takes place on May 17 at Florian Hall in Boston (55 Hallet St.) Tickets are $65 for auditorium seating, $100 for table seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.firefightersvscancer.org/ .

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com .

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth firefighter taking his comedic talents to charity comedy competition in Boston