To end National Fire Safety Week, the Mesquite Fire & Rescue Department held a pancake breakfast at Station 3 located at 3 John Deere Drive on Saturday, Oct. 10. The week’s theme was “Hear the beep where you sleep” and staff from the MFD did quite an extensive job educating the community at every chance they got, whether it be at Mesquite Night Out (Sept. 23) or at the City Council Technical Review Meeting on Oct. 6.

It was quite clear last Saturday that there were two kinds of crews at the pancake breakfast; current crews in dark blue and potential future crew in light blue. Both were eager to talk with attendees. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

It was quite clear last Saturday that there were two kinds of crews at the pancake breakfast; current crews in dark blue and potential future crew in light blue. Both were eager to talk with attendees. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

 

Current personnel and students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) program were also present to greet the public as they served them an extravagant breakfast of fresh pancakes, bacon and eggs alongside water, orange juice and coffee.

The 13 students are part of a revived program. With all of them being local, they are able to stay and train here in Mesquite instead of having to travel to Las Vegas for training every Friday and Saturday during the semester. The training class, which counts as a nine-credit course, is something welcomed by current personnel in the department.

“It’s going good, it’s kind of a first for us, since we haven’t put this on for a while,” said Jayson Andrus, who has been with MFD for eight of his past 10 years as a firefighter and paramedic. “Anytime we’re training, it helps us stay up on our skills.”

One issue that has surfaced over the past year, however, is the inability to find trained medics and firefighters who will stay with MFD. Andrus continued in telling the MLN that the Department is now looking at finding a solution for the problem. He also stated that doing the training class in Mesquite is a step in the right direction.

During the event, people were able to talk to personnel and receive tours of the facility and take a closer look at the gear that our men and women depend on when fighting fires or responding to other emergencies.

Tyler Black, also known as Mongo, and Mike Gleeson took first watch over the smoking hot grill Saturday morning at Fire Station #3 for their pancake breakfast. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Tyler Black, also known as Mongo, and Mike Gleeson took first watch over the smoking hot grill Saturday morning at Fire Station #3 for their pancake breakfast. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Who says it doesn’t run in the family? At left, current firefighter Keith Browning and his son, Josey Browning, who is one of the 13 students participating in the local EMT training with Mesquite Fire and Rescue. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Who says it doesn’t run in the family? At left, current firefighter Keith Browning and his son, Josey Browning, who is one of the 13 students participating in the local EMT training with Mesquite Fire and Rescue. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

“This is just awesome,” said Deputy Chief Rick Resnick after the event. “We love any chance that we have to get together with the community, and my crews really stepped up.

Also in attendance were members of B.A.C.A., Bikers Against Child Abuse, who stopped in for the hearty breakfast on their way through town during their Poker Run through the Valley of Fire.

 

Several local officials made an appearance at Saturday’s pancake breakfast, including, from left to right, Councilwoman Cindi Delaney, Fire Chief Kash Christopher, Councilman Rich Green and Mayor Al Litman. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Several local officials made an appearance at Saturday’s pancake breakfast, including, from left to right, Councilwoman Cindi Delaney, Fire Chief Kash Christopher, Councilman Rich Green and Mayor Al Litman. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.