Wooster Township hosts 40th Pancake Day

The Wooster Township Fire and Rescue Association will hold its 40th annual Pancake Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 at Triway High School, 3205 Shreve Road, Wooster.

There will be all-you-can-eat dine-in service, carryout and curbside.

Tickets are $5 presale and $6 at the door. Children under 8 eat free. Tickets for a cash raffle are $1 for one ticket or $5 for six. Tickets may be purchased prior to the event from any WTFRA firefighter or at the door. The winner need not be present to win.

“This will be our second year in the new school, so we have been able to make a few adjustments from last year to hopefully make this the best year yet," Fire Chief Dallas Terrell said. "Last year we broke our record and served just over 2,800 meals. We hope that we can set a new record this year.”

The event is the department's only fundraiser. Approximately 80-100 volunteers pitch in to make the day a success. They include Wooster Township Fire and Rescue Association members and families, students and staff from Triway Local Schools, and community members. The top-secret pancake recipe hasn't changed in 39 years.

In addition to the breakfast, Clinton Township Fire and Rescue will sell green reflective address signs, and the local Girl Scouts troop will sell cookies. Red Cross will have smoke detectors, and a K-9 search-and-rescue group will have some information available about its group. There will be information about the fire department and fire prevention.

"Funds raised are always used to help purchase equipment for the fire department that otherwise might not be able to be purchased with tax dollars because of the cost," Terrell said. “Last year we raised almost $40,000. That money went toward replacing all of our thermal imaging cameras and AEDs.”

Terrell said the thermal imaging cameras help firefighters do their jobs more efficiently and effectively, which means quicker rescues and less property damage. They also help keep firefighters safe as they perform their duties. The AEDs provide lifesaving treatment for individuals in cardiac arrest.

“Because of the donations we received,” Terrell said, “we were able to replace all of the old units with brand-new lifesaving technology.”

This year funds raised will go toward finishing the new fire station.

“Information about the new fire station will be available at Pancake Day,” Terrell said. “I would love to meet our guests and tell them all about this great and much-needed project as well as answer any questions.”

Terrell said the new station will dramatically improve response times for more than 60% of township residents. It will help support community growth and development while improving safety and working conditions for firefighters, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of their responses.

The department is actively seeking applications for volunteer firefighters/EMTs. It pays 100% of the costs associated with this, including training and equipment.

“No experience necessary,” Terrell said, “just a desire to serve and protect our wonderful Wooster Township community.”