Breaking Bread

By Lisa Duncan

“This story goes back 20 years,” laughed Dana Newquist. “There were only three of us on the Fire District board – me, Ron Jensen, and John Venable. John and I were put in charge of hiring new firefighters, and one of the first questions we asked Ben Hauser was, ‘Can you cook?’ He said, ‘Yes!’”

The room immediately erupted in good-natured ribbing.

“Yeah, well, he can’t cook or pick movies!” one firefighter teased about the Chief.

“He likes Sharknado!” another chimed in.

A third firefighter came to Ben’s defense with a grin. “I love bad movies. Some of the best cinematic experiences are bad movies.”

At Montecito Fire Station 91, laughter comes as naturally as service. For more than two decades, the firefighters have welcomed neighbors into the station through charity dinners, opening the bay doors for evenings of home-cooked meals, storytelling, and community. This month’s dinner was won by Brenda Blalock at an Alzheimer’s Association auction, bringing ten friends together for smoked tri-tip, barbecue chicken, homemade beans and salad, garlic bread, and watermelon, specially requested – all prepared by the crew.

“I’ve done this for more than 20 years,” said Captain Lucas Grant. “When I first got hired, we were doing at least six dinners a year.” What began as a simple fundraiser has become one of the department’s most treasured traditions.

The laughter came easily, but so did the respect.

“We grew up on the same street, and we went to the same high school,” said Evan “Hambone” Hamaker of fellow firefighter Trevor Oakley. Before arriving in Montecito, both served as Hotshots – elite, special forces of the wildland firefighting world – tackling some of California’s toughest wildfires. Many members of Station 91 followed the same path, viewing the elite crews as the ultimate proving ground. Asked if they align with Navy Seals, they chimed, “Yes, like Navy Seals with hoses!” 

“Hotshots is physically tough, but it also builds a mental toughness, and you think, ‘I can do anything now,’” reflected Lucas. The grueling work forged endurance, confidence, and friendships that continue to define the station today.

After dinner came one final firehouse tradition. The kitchen table transformed into the station’s spirited version of Liar’s Dice, where bluffing determined cleanup duty and nobody wanted to be left holding the toilet brush.

“Skipping out on cleanup chores – that’s where we really shine,” laughed Trevor.

“Who’s feeling energetic with the toilet brush?” someone called out, teasing the crowd.

“What are you going to claim? Trash? Towels? Showdown! Showdown!” called Evan, as cups of dice rattled across the table and firefighters challenged one another’s bids, trying to pass the chores to the next person. Guests joined in to try their hand at the game, along with engineer Dustin Barthel, and firefighter paramedics Braden Macy and Brandon Bennewate.

“We enjoy giving station tours and breaking bread with those that we serve,” revealed Lucas.

Brenda, whose winning bid helped support the local Alzheimer’s Association, perhaps captured the evening best.

“Well, they take care of us, so we’ve got to take care of them, too.”

Around Station 91, the meals are homemade, the friendships are lifelong, and breaking bread has become one more way Montecito neighbors take care of one another.