More than 600 fed

MOSES LAKE — When 3 a.m. rolled around on Saturday morning, Moses Lake Fire Station No. 1 opened up for preparation of several hundred pounds of breakfast food.

The firemen's breakfast is held annually to benefit the Moses Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Tom Tufte, president of the volunteer firefighter association, said.

"Our fund-raiser provides money to fire prevention programs," he added.

The prevention programs are aimed at youth. The program provides plastic firemen hats and informational pamphlets on how to avoid fire and what to do in case there is a fire.

The event which is in its fifteenth year, is the only fund-raiser the department promotes, he said. Some of the money raised goes toward payment of fire equipment.

Some of the equipment partially purchased with the funds includes a rescue fire boat, refurbished thermal imaging camera, ropes and gear to stop air bags from deploying after a wreck occurs.

The fund-raiser also included a silent auction with several items including blankets, gift certificates, beauty products and toys.

There was a big increase in attendance to the event, Tufte added.

Usually the breakfast draws in approximately 500 people. Between 600 and 700 people attended the breakfast this year, he said.

"I think it's great. It's fantastic," Tom Graghead, fireman and EMT said. "(Serving breakfast) is our way of saying thank you to the community."

Approximately 120 pounds of eggs, 12 hams and an unknown number of pancakes were served during the event.