The Kent Fire Department will host its first Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (FDCARES) charity golf tournament on Thursday, Aug. 9 at Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent.

FDCARES is a fire department based injury and illness prevention program, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. Fire department personnel work directly with residents to identify underlying health or social service issues and help them address these issues before they become an emergency.

Residents are connected with various resources to better meet their long term needs. By providing early identification and intervention, residents are introduced to services that they may not know exist. This can help them lead healthier, more independent lives.

The golf tournament is intended to help build awareness of the FDCARES program and encourage fire departments throughout the area to consider this service for their own residents. Currently the following fire departments are participating in the FDCARES program:

Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority; Olympia Fire Department; Tacoma Fire Department; South King Fire and Rescue (Federal Way and Des Moines) and the    SeaTac Fire Department.

Many other fire departments throughout the state are looking into implementing the program. FDCARES has also had fire departments as far away as New Mexico and Connecticut inquiring about the program.

To kick off the event, the golf tournament opening ceremony at noon will include a fire department pipes and drums band, an honor guard and a helicopter delivery of the ceremonial flag by Airlift Northwest. This is to pay respect to fire personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. There also will be a display of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles.

The FDCARES program was started at Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority and continues to evolve with the collaboration of many other fire agencies and various service providers.

Players can still register to compete in the golf tournament. The entry fee is $250.

For more information and to register for the tournament, go to www.fdcares.com.