Sam Owen serving up annual pancake breakfast

HOPE — The Sam Owen Fire District is preparing to serve up some steaming hot flapjacks Saturday morning for its 14th annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. 

"It's a big community event and it's our only fundraiser," said Eileen Klatt, the district's public information officer.

Sam Owen is a volunteer fire department, so the breakfast helps fund supplies for the fire house, including uniforms, communication devices, and important firefighting equipment, Klatt said. More than 60 volunteers, plus the firefighters and fire chief spend many hours collecting donations, cooking the meal and serving up a "delicious" breakfast for the community, she said.

The breakfast will include much more than pancakes, as the volunteers will also be serving up eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee or tea, all for just $5.

"It's always been $5 and we want to keep it that way," Klatt said.

After breakfast, guests can tour the station, meet the firefighters and co-fire chiefs, Stu Eigler and Tim Scofield. There will also be an opportunity to sit in the trucks, meet Smokey the fire dog and try on the equipment, which is surprisingly heavy, Klatt said. There will be free handouts for the children, and the first 50 children will receive fire chief hats.

The event continues to grow each year as people from around the region make the scenic drive along Highway 200 to Sam Owen Fire Station 1, located at the junction of Peninsula Road and Highway 200 in Hope. Some people even plan their vacations around the event, she said.

"Last year we had a record turnout," Klatt said. "I think it was 847 — we served that many breakfasts. It was amazing."

Breakfast will be served from 7:30-11 a.m. at Sam Owen Fire Station 1, 17 Old Sam Owen Drive, Hope. For information, call 208-264-5745.

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The Sam Owen Fire District was formed after core group of "determined and dedicated" community members saw a need for fire protection in the Hope, Sam Owen Peninsula and Trestle Creek regions, Klatt said in a statement outlining a brief history of the department. The group began working toward establishing the fire district in 2000, and the Sam Owen Fire District was approved by voters in 2002.

By the time the district held its first board meeting on Jan. 15, 2003, Klatt said Sam Owen Fire District had acquired six fire apparatus, three pumpers, two water tenders and a four-wheel drive quick response vehicle, and plans were being made to build a fire station to house them permanently.

While it started with nothing but a "vision and determination," with no money and no equipment, the district has grown into a fully equipped, stand-alone fire and rescue department with 22 volunteer firefighters, four EMTs and two fire stations — one in Hope and one in Trestle Creek.

"(Sam Owen Fire District is an example of) what you can accomplish with a small group of people working together," Carol Deaner, founding member of SOFD, said in the statement. "It was fun."

"The firefighters are excellent," added George Gow, president of the SOFD Board of Commissioners. "The EMTs are outstanding. You could not ask for more dedicated people. The equipment is really good. The commissioners keep the equipment up to code and ensure that it’s well-maintained. The buildings are really good. Our response time is one of the best. I have 100-percent faith that our fire department can respond effectively to any situation, no matter the task."

Bob Wathen, who recently retired as fire chief after 15 years, said "The dynamics of a small community are that people know each other and want to help their neighbors and friends. This provides the motivation for continuity and the success of the fire department."

The Sam Owen Fire District is committed to providing the highest level of fire protection and emergency services to all its residents, businesses and visitors, Klatt said. The District's volunteer staff, made up of local residents of various ages and backgrounds, has been trained and equipped for both structure and wildlands firefighting. The district has former Navy medics, former wildland firefighters, pilots and CPAs all donating their time and expertise, she said.

The volunteers train three times a month to hone their skills and keep up on the most current methods of firefighting. The volunteers have either completed or are completing the nationally recognized Fire Essentials 1 training course for fire personnel. In addition, a number of the volunteers are qualified EMTs and others have completed training in first aid, life support, rescue and extrication.

With several fully-equipped firefighting and rescue trucks as well as a fireboat and drone, the district is able to respond to any fire or emergency situation. The rescue vehicle has the latest in extrication, land and water rescue equipment. The four-wheel drive wildlands vehicle can reach the most remote areas, and many of the volunteers have completed intensive training in wildlands firefighting, Klatt said.

To learn more about the district and its services or volunteer opportunities, contact Sam Owen Co-Chief Tim Scofield or Stu Eigler at 208-264-5745.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.