Community dines together at Firemen's Breakfast

MOSES LAKE - Firefighters worked hard Saturday morning, but instead of climbing ladders and using fire hoses, they prepared breakfast for the community.

The Firemen's Breakfast began more than 15 years ago as a fund-raiser for department activities, the installation of volunteer officers and equipment.

Volunteer firefighter Steve Millspaugh said many people came for breakfast. Even though organizers had more food than last year, they ran out of orange juice earlier in the day.

"Supplies are still holding up, but we'll see," he said. Deputy Fire Chief Corbin Moberg estimated it was the biggest turnout yet.

"It's just a great experience for the community to show up and support the fire department," he said.

Moberg was thankful for everyone who helped make the breakfast possible.

"The firefighters union (IAFF local 2052) and the volunteer firefighters have done a tremendous effort to make this work," he said.

Career firefighter Paul Guerin said the volunteers deserve much of the credit for the event.

"We're basically the labor. The volunteers have done all the organization. They got a bunch of the donations for the silent auction," he said.

The grills the breakfast items were cooked on were obtained by volunteers, he said.

Breakfast started at 5 a.m. but Moberg said many started setting up the night before.

In the fire hall community members enjoyed ham, pancakes, eggs, and hash browns.

Eric Cole, 19, there for his third year, said he keeps coming back because the food is delicious and it's important to support the fire department.

Polly Hesse ate breakfast with her grandchildren, 9-year-old Madison Hesse, and 7-year-old Boe Hesse, who was celebrating his birthday. Boe and Madison's father, Troy, is a Moses Lake firefighter.

"It just benefits the community and everyone benefits from the funds that are raised here," she said.