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PACKWOOD – The Packwood Fire Department hosted its Third Annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The event drew over 300 people, who came out for good food and to support their local fire department, which uses the breakfast to raise money for new trucks and equipment. Packwood Fire Chief Jeremy Atwood estimated the event raised more than $6,000 this year, even more than last year when a bit over $5,000 was raised.

“We’ve had a great response from the community, and we’re very thankful for that,” he said.

Atwood said the money raised from Saturday’s breakfast will go toward a new pumper truck. The department’s current pumper truck is 20 years old, and though it’s still serviceable, the department is planning for 10 years down the road when it will need to be replaced. Atwood said a new one would cost about $450,000.

The town of Packwood has held a pancake breakfast for many years, and the group responsible for it was the Packwood Lions Club. Unfortunately, the club was unable to continue the tradition and disbanded about four years ago. Atwood, who has been the fire chief for seven years, said the firefighters hated the thought of the pancake breakfast ending, so they picked up the torch.

“For a community this size, it’s good to get together and socialize,” Atwood said. “And the department is always looking for extra support because the cost of equipment has really gone through the roof the past few years.”

The all-volunteer Packwood Fire Department has 24 firefighters. Atwood said the department is always looking to add members, though that’s tough to do in a small town. He said the area is short on full-time jobs, so a lot of young people have to work out of town, and that makes it hard for them to commit to responding to local fires.

The pancake breakfast is the department’s main fundraiser but not its only one. It also does controlled burns of CRP ground, and asks landowners for a donation in return. The department engages the community in other ways such as by helping with events at the Greater Jefferson County Fair.

“We’re asking guys who are strictly volunteer to give their time, and I’m really blessed with what they’re willing to do,” Atwood said. “We have monthly meetings and trainings. We don’t get a huge amount of calls, but it’s a big commitment to ask guys to do.”

The department has received grants from the Greater Jefferson County Foundation, such as one for a stand-by generator to power the fire station. It also receives property tax money from the townships it serves.