Fire dept. opens its doors

The Kelowna Fire Department saw its largest turnout yet at the annual pancake breakfast and family fun day in support of the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society.

Hundreds of families and residents young and old crowded into Station 1 on Enterprise Way to check out all the event had to offer including fire trucks, a helicopter, a full pancake breakfast and demonstrations.

“This is really awesome, a truly incredible turnout,” said fire chief Jeff Carlisle at the event. “I believe in the five years we have done this, this is the biggest turnout we have had. We have been cooking pancakes since 9 a.m. and the lineup just keeps going. It is a really good event this year.”

Visitors headed to Station 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday for the annual open house event.

In addition to the breakfast, families were wowed with demonstrations including an auto extraction and high angle rescue with Kelowna city councillors Tracy Gray and Luke Stack as simulated victims.

The day also featured fire extinguisher demonstrations, a live burn demonstration, face painting and a bouncy castle obstacle course.

“It is a great event and we enjoy putting it on every year,” said Carlisle.

“What I am hearing is that everyone is very happy. They love coming out, they love seeing the helicopter and the crash truck from the airport. Kids, for whatever reason, gravitate towards firefighters and fire trucks so the crowd has been really positive and I already have people lined up for next year.”

All the events and breakfast were offered by donation with all funds raised going towards the B.C. Professional Firefighters Association Burn Fund.

“It is all for a very worth cause,” added Carlisle.

At this point it is too early to tell how much money was raised at the event, but Carlisle is optimistic about the number.

“I have been emptying the boot often, people have been very generous,” said Carlisle. “So, I cannot even guess right now, but I know it is a really good turnout and a good fundraiser.”