Tracy firefighters are gearing up for the 36th annual pancake breakfast next week to raise money for a local charity and give the community a chance to meet the men and women of their local fire department.

“It’s really a fun, family-friendly community event,” said Clarke Caldwell, a firefighter and member of Tracy Firefighters Local 3355, the union organizing the breakfast. “It’s a good way for people to meet their local firefighters.”

For $5 general admission and $4 for children and seniors, guests get a pancake and sausage breakfast cooked up by Tracy firefighters and some free entertainment and safety demonstrations at Station 91 on West 11th Street.

Youngsters can try their hand at the “firefighter combat challenge,” an obstacle course that lets children play firefighter by handling the fire hose and sitting atop a real fire engine. There will also be a coloring contest and maybe a raffle, if enough people donate prizes.

Also, thanks to a donation from a local towing company, firefighters will demonstrate their life-saving skills by rescuing a “victim” from a simulated car wreck using equipment like the “jaws of life” to tear open the vehicle.

The breakfast, which draws city officials and other prominent community members, raises money for local charities — the union decides which charity to donate to after they raise the money. Last year, ticket sales brought in $4,500, and more than 750 people attended the morning get-together.

A real estate office next to the fire station and a church across the street will offer free parking for the event, which takes place during the first week of October every year to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week.

The union will host a second fundraiser in Mountain House the following week, also from 6 to 11 a.m., on Oct. 10 at Station 98, 911 Tradition Way. The Mountain House breakfast is much like the one in Tracy, but without the “jaws of life” demo.

About 750 attended the breakfast at Station 98 last year, the first time it was held in Mountain House.

•Contact a Tracy Press reporter or editor at 835-3030 or tpnews@tracypress.com. At a glance

WHAT: Tracy firefighters 34th annual pancake breakfast

WHEN: 6 to 11 a.m. Oct. 3

WHERE: Station 91, 1701 W. 11th St.

COST: $5 general admission; $4 for children and senior citizens

INFO: 831-6700