Funds go toward new Florence Fire Department pumper

By Melvin Honeyfield

Staff writer

A good turnout for Sunday’s annual pancake feed raised $3,700 for the Florence Fire Department.

“We’ve been doing it for 35+ years,” fire chief Mark Slater said. He and 14 other firefighters and their wives cooked pancakes, sausages, and eggs for 350 people.

Volunteers cooked 60 pounds of sausage, 40 dozen eggs, and used 75 pounds of butter.

After Pastor Jeff Lee read the firemen’s prayer to begin the event, Slater gave his annual report.

A new, enclosed cab 1990 Ford MKG pumper that seats five firefighters was purchased.

“The fire truck will serve the fire district well,” he said.

The fire department made 31 runs in 2018, which is on average with the past few years, he said.

Of the calls, nine were structure fires, 10 grass fires, four vehicle fires, seven vehicle accidents, two spills and leaks, and six calls to disregard. A total of 42.5 hours was spent on the calls, Slater said.

He also said firefighters expend more energy in the first 15 minutes fighting the fire than the average persons expends in 8 hours.