HOPE — The griddle will be fired up and some of the fluffiest pancakes around will be flipping as the Sam Owen Fire District hosts its annual pancake breakfast Saturday.

The annual fundraiser turns the district's volunteer firefighters into chefs as they cook up a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy — all for only $6. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The breakfast will be held at Sam Owen Fire Station No. 1, located at the junction of Peninsula Road and Highway 200 in Hope. After breakfast, residents are invited to tour the station, climb into the trucks and pick up free handouts for the kids.

Donations go toward training, equipment and other needs throughout the year, said Todd Wendle for the fire district.

Past funds generated from the breakfast have gone for everything from supplies for the firehouse and uniforms to communication devices and important firefighting equipment. It takes dozens of volunteers and district firefighters to collect donations, cook the meal and serve the community a delicious breakfast, district officials said.

It's a chance to have fun while helping the fire district raise some much-needed funds, Wendle said.

"It's a chance to enjoy a delicious meal with your family and friends and meet the firefighters," he said. "Your donation goes toward training, training equipment and other needs throughout the year."

Sam Owen Fire District crews are committed to providing the highest level of fire protection and emergency services to district residents, businesses and visitors. The district's volunteer staff — made up of local residents of various ages and backgrounds — has been trained and equipped for both structure and wildland firefighting as well as rescue operations.

Events like the pancake breakfast raise the needed funds for both training and equipment, Wendle said.

Sam Owen officials said that district firefighters train three times a month to hone their skills in fire suppression and rescue operations. In addition, a number of the volunteers are qualified EMTs and others have completed training in first aid, life support, rescue and extrication.

With fully equipped fire engines, water tenders, a rescue truck and a fireboat, the district is able to respond to any fire or emergency situation, Sam Owen officials said. The rescue vehicle has the latest in extrication, land and water rescue equipment. The four-wheel-drive wildland vehicle can reach the most remote areas, and many of the volunteers have completed intensive training in wildland firefighting.

Info.: facebook.com/samowenfire

    Two young firefighters celebrate their new gear at a past Sam Owen Fire District pancake breakfast. The annual event is a key fundraiser for the fire district.