Fire department breakfasts return to South Shore

The inviting smell of sizzling bacon is in the air at fire departments throughout the South Shore.

Forced to cancel their popular breakfasts during COVID restrictions, firefighters and community volunteers are again serving plates of tasty bacon, as-you-like-’em eggs, pancakes, hash browns, toast and molasses baked beans.

An Oct. 8 breakfast hosted by the Dayspring and District Fire Department attracted nearly 300 hungry individuals. Firefighters and their families from at least five other departments attended, as well as District of Lunenburg Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-getson and the district’s fire services coordinator, Chris Kennedy.

Breakfast committee chair Dave Crouse said the community’s enthusiasm for having an opportunity to get together and socialize was a big factor in the large attendance.

“The breakfast was long overdue. It was a positive experience for everyone involved,” said Crouse.

“We approached the event cautiously, taking into account the input from community members about the COVID situation and where it’s at. We felt it would be safe and cautions were taken,” he said.

Dayspring resident Lorri Higney, who attended with her family, said everyone in her group enjoyed themselves.

“It was a pleasant experience. The food and atmosphere were really good. It was the first time we attended

this particular breakfast and we’ll definitely be back for the next one,” she said.

Crouse said based on the positive feedback his committee members received from many attendees, the Dayspring and District Fire Department is considering hosting another breakfast in November.

To kick off Fire Prevention Week, which was held Oct. 9 to 15, Angela Henhoeffer, coordinator of the Lunenburg County Regional Emergency Management Organization, attended the breakfast and educated attendees how they can properly prepare their families and homes for any emergency.

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week was “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” Those six simple

words emphasize how everyone must prepare fire escape plans, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month and replace them every 10 years.

Dayspring and District Fire Department Deputy Chief Dean Schmeisser confers with Angela Henhoeffer, co-ordinator of the Lunenburg County Regional Emergency Management Organization. Henhoeffer attended Dayspring’s community breakfast to show attendees how they can properly prepare their families and homes for any emergency.

PETER SIMPSON PHOTOS Allie Ritcey-conrad, left, and Hannah Garber volunteered as servers at the Dayspring and District Fire Department’s recent breakfast. Hannah holds a second helping of bacon she was delivering to a hungry individual.