Fire departments holding food drive

SANDPOINT — Bonner County fire districts are planning a public service double-whammy this weekend, seeking both supplies for the food bank and volunteers for the department.

Sandpoint and Sagle fire departments are teaming up at Super 1’s popular “early bird” sale to gather donations for the Bonner Community Food Center. Sagle firefighter Jeff Littlefield hopes that people will be feeling generous after enjoying the marked-down prices.

“A lot of people end up going to the sale. It’s been very popular in the past,” he said. “So we’re counting on shoppers giving us small food items here and there.”

And, in the spirit of the adage, “In order to receive, you have to give,” the firefighters are serving up grub throughout the food drive. Hamburgers and hot dogs are on the menu for shoppers who work themselves up an appetite.

 The sale also serves as one of the final opportunities for residents with aspirations of fire fighting to sign on with the districts before volunteers undergo January’s fire academy. Volunteers participate in the 120-hour training course until April without paying any course fee.

Fire academy combines evening courses with hands-on training on Saturdays. After fire academy, volunteers can expect to undertake “the hot zone,” a more intensive course pitting trainees against burning buildings and other dangerous situations.

Whether individuals are ready for the commitment of volunteer fire-fighting or are simply willing to part with a can of baked beans, they’ll have the opportunity to do some civic good Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Littlefield expects to see a good turn-out either way.

“We’re just hoping people take a break from shopping to come see what we’re all about,” he said.