Hancock firefighters enjoy serving their community

Firefighters in Hancock enjoy serving their community.

The department has a dependable community says Fire Chief Bill Lepisto, who also enjoys giving back to the department. And this past year there’s been a lot to be grateful for. In the past year, the department has added five new members, won the Copper Country fireman’s tournament, received an anonymous donation toward equipment, and recently received its air truck back from a refurbishment project.

And just to be able to get five new members in a department at one time is very exciting. It brings a little bit more excitement to the older guys who have been here for such a long time. And they’re enthusiastic, they’re young, they can run the races better than us older guys, says Bill Lepisto, Hancock City Fire Department Chief. But it just gives us a shot in the arm to see that there are people in our community who are willing to step up and become volunteer firefighters.

This weekend the department hosts a pancake and French toast fundraiser. Lepisto says that the department used close to 22 gallons of pancake batter last year, which certainly makes a lot of pancakes.

By nine o’clock, if you walk into this, it’s like a dull roar because there are so many people. And I mean, I think it’s like a community, just a community social event too, says Bill Lepisto, Hancock City Fire Department Chief. People sit down, they have pancakes, have breakfast with their neighbor, have a cup of coffee and, and then enjoy themselves. We enjoy seeing people. We average anywhere from six to seven hundred people a year that we serve.

Those interested in purchasing a ticket for the 30^th Annual Hancock Fire Department Pancake and French Toast Breakfast can purchase one from a firefighter before Friday. Or stop at the fire hall at 900 Ethel Avenue between 7 am and noon. Tickets for the breakfast cost eight dollars. Kids under six can eat for free. Find more details here.