T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Community members can enjoy breakfast at the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department on Feb. 15 and have the chance to talk with Fire Chief Tim Bell and other firefighters.

BELLAIRE — Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department will host a breakfast for the public, where attendees can connect with firefighters while enjoying a meal cooked by them.

The fire department’s breakfast is from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 at the station at 2450 Belmont St.

Visitors can enjoy pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee for $5.

Fire Chief Tim Bell said the breakfast is for anyone. Not only will attendees enjoy a meal with the firefighters, but it will help remind people that the department is still there and what it’s all about.

“That gives everybody an opportunity to come in and meet the guys that are coming, and it gives them an opportunity to come in to see their local fire department,” he said.

Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward replenishing what the department uses for the breakfast and to buy more items to keep it going.

The firefighters at the station will be cooking the food, including Bell’s son, Assistant Chief T.J. Bell.

After this month’s breakfast fundraiser and community get-together, Bellaire VFD’s fish fry fundraisers for Lent will begin next month.

The fish frys will begin at 11 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and continue at 11 a.m. every Friday until Easter, April 20, at the fire station.

Customers will be able to call ahead and order to pick up or dine in. Delivery will depend upon availability.

The menu will include a fisher dinner, fish sandwich, chicken strip dinner, chicken strips, fresh cut fries, onion rings, coleslaw, pop and water.

The fish frys are the big money-maker for the fire department every year, Bell said.

All of the money it makes from the dinners will go back into the department for equipment and upkeep.

Bell said the fish fry fundraiser is important in helping the fire department raise money, but it’s also a way for the community to come together to meet the firefighters.