Tall stack

MOSES LAKE - The tall stacks of pancakes were matched by the long lines of people bearing plates.

The Moses Lake Fire Department held their annual Firemen's Breakfast fund-raiser on Saturday to one of the largest gatherings Chief Tom Taylor can remember in the last 16 years.

"We've never had that many people," said Taylor. "It was definitely a success."

The fund-raiser generated $5,500 between the breakfast and a silent auction. Taylor said it was about $1,500 to $1,700 more than they have made in previous years. The auction raised roughly $1,700 as people bid on items ranging from fire extinguishers to a toy firetruck.

"We use that money for things that come over the year," said Taylor.

The funds are used for projects in the coming year that weren't foreseen in the budget. The money is also used to fund part of the awards banquet and fire prevention supplies.

Every January the department holds a banquet to honor firefighters. He said it is a good time to gather the firefighters and their families all together for an evening.

"We recognize what we've done over the last year," Taylor added.

The annual breakfast is viewed as a chance for the staff to meet with the people they serve.

"We see the public every day but it is usually in their time of need … it gives us time to visit. It's kind of nice to have that small-town feel," said Taylor. "We always have a good time doing it."

This year the department saw more people from the community attending the breakfast.

"We had people in line for about four hours straight. It was nonstop," said Taylor. "We'll take that surprise every year."

With the large crowds came large appetites, challenging the food supply donated to the fire department.

"We never ran out of food on the grills, but out of the refrigerators. We were able to replenish our supplies without any stoppage to the serving line at all," Taylor said with a smile.

The rumored giant pancake, shaped like America, never appeared, according to Taylor. Deputy Chief Corbin Moberg said he was too busy.

"He tried. He thinks he can make this big pancake … he does a Mickey Mouse pancake sometimes," Taylor said.

The fire chief confirmed Moberg was too busy helping tend to the large crowd.

During the breakfast, the department received five emergency calls during the breakfast and three during cleanup. They were medical calls for the ambulance. Taylor noted the loss of a few crew to work didn't hamper serving breakfast.

"I didn't see much of a slow-down. The guys filled in where they could," he said. "They're firefighters and are used to adversity and are flexible."

Taylor said his favorite part of the fund-raiser is the community.

"Moses Lake comes out and shows their support … we're thankful for that."