IHOP ‘flips’ for California firefighters

A tiny spark. A flame. In a silent moment it catches the thirsty landscape, erupting into a wildfire on the move — a tragic scene replaying.

Hour after hour, weeks on end, the Northwest has been on fire, more than one massive blaze aggressively scorching acre upon acre with only courageous hearts defiantly standing in its way.

This past week, a lot of courage showed up in the Tri-Cities.

“All the firetrucks drove up,” said Lauren Mendenhall, IHOP district manager who spotted the caravan of red through the restaurant’s spacious windows. “They filled the parking lot.”

With no out-of-control fire in sight, the firefighters were quite a surprise, she said.

“Two of them walked in first and said they’d called ahead and reserved a place,” Lauren said, recalling the mass of black uniforms moving toward the front door. “But we hadn’t gotten the call at our place.”

Easy to have happen with more than one IHOP along their route, but in short order the staff stacked up plenty of Southern hospitality in Northwest style.

“I think it was really special they were firefighters coming all the way up from California to help,” said Lauren’s Georgia-born-and-bred mom, Susan Mendenhall, the restaurant franchisee who had been across town when they arrived.

In less time than it takes to flip a buttermilk pancake, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection men and women had filled one side of the restaurant, their presence a memorable moment for members of the staff and guests.

“The firefighters were really pleasant, joking around with the servers,” Lauren said of the Monday morning visit. “Several people came over to the group and thanked them for what they’re doing for us. Some even wanted to give cash donations, but they said it wasn’t allowed.”

But Lauren knew from her upbringing — values she’d caught along the way — how an act of kindness can make a person’s step lighter, put a smile on their face, ease a burden. The 29-year-old said she has grown up watching her parents’ constant generosity, so she didn’t hesitate for a moment.

“Lauren called me and said, ‘Mom there are 44 firefighters that came up from California to fight fires,’ ” Susan said about her daughter’s desire to do something nice for the group. “First I thought a discount and then I said, ‘Let’s pay for their breakfast!’ ”

No sooner had Lauren ended the call than her father arrived, the lineup of firetrucks drawing his attention like an emergency siren.

“Dad came running in, saying, ‘Comp their meal! Comp their meal!’ ” Lauren said, her face beaming at the memory of her family’s thoughts in harmony. “The firefighters were surprised and they said, ‘We can pay for our food’ and we said, ‘No, we want to do it.’ ”

Still, a generous tip stayed behind as the dedicated unit moved on to a fire fight that couldn’t wait.

“With all the fires this summer, and then seeing the firefighters — and we’ve lost some,” Susan said, pausing with emotion, “and these guys are on their way to do something that is potentially life threatening. For them to come up here, they need so much support. They’re a long way from home.”

But never far from a depth of appreciation, their bravery apparent nationwide as firefighters stand face-to-face against uneven odds.

Perhaps, the Mendenhalls’ act of kindness will be a spark that that ignites the spirit of generosity in all of us.

This story was originally published August 30, 2015 at 4:00 AM with the headline "IHOP ‘flips’ for California firefighters."