FFD assists Bridgeport Fire with four-alarm house blaze
The Frankenmuth Fire Department had four calls for service last week, but were still kept busy with training, meetings and receiving a welcomed donation.
At 1:11pm Friday, January 16, the FFD was requested to assist MMR Ambulance Service for a medical call at Covenant Glen, 1040 Covenant Drive. Ten personnel reported with Squad 4 and the crew was able to clear shortly thereafter.
At 5:24pm Monday, January 19, the FFD was requested by Bridgeport Township Fire Department for a mutual aid call with Birch Run and Spaulding fire departments for a bi-level style house fire in the 7100 block of Rook Road, just south of Curtis Road, Bridgeport Township.
FFD sent Engine 1 and Squad 4 with nine personnel and assisted with fire suppression and overhauling. Kerns advised two cats were found inside, still alive, and there were no other known injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the mutual aid departments cleared close to 8pm.
“We try to perform initial decontamination of personnel and equipment while on scene, but the low temperatures prevented that as everything froze quickly and bringing it back to the cramped station just adds to the volunteer workload and exposure,” Kerns stated.
That meant the firefighters did not clear the fire station until after 9:30pm, with 19 total fire personnel reporting for duty.
At the same time as the mutual aid call, at 6;02pm, a fire alarm at Winter Village, 255 Mayer Road, drew the FFD. FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said a pull station was activated and there was no fire. The matter is under review and the units cleared in a short time.
Alarm No. 6 for 2026 took place Tuesday morning, January 20, at 9:09am, for CO detector activation in the 400 block of Leslie Drive. No symptoms were detected by the residents.
In other FFD news, the mid-month training and meeting was held Tuesday, January 13, at the fire station. Firefighters reviewed their breath apparatus as it is a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE).
𠇊lthough wood smoke and lingering smoke from natural products is often enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts, the modern age of man-made products combined with chemical processing has produced toxic smoke and the off-gassing of pollutants,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.
Although one good inhalation of any type of smoke can be temporarily incapacitating, exposure to toxic smoke will cause acute and chronic health issues.
𠇏irefighters need to protect their respiratory system by using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and properly decontaminating all equipment before it is placed back into service . . . and the sooner, the better,” Kerns explained.
A portion of the training included a makeshift pickleball court so firefighters could work on flexibility and dexterity while using their SCBA PPE.
Last week, members of the FFD Building Committee met with the Frankenmuth City-Township Commission to update them on a recent meeting held with TSSF Architects concerning new fire station planning.
In 2026, the group will meet on a nearly weekly basis with architects to design the new fire station, which will be located on West Genesee Street, just east of Dehmel Road.
Kerns attended the 29th annual Saginaw County 100 Club Business Meeting, held at Saginaw’s Horizon Conference Center.
The Club announced recent grant awards, and the FFD received funds to purchase PPE for active assailant responses and $3,000 to be used toward additional PPE.
Kerns noted that the Club’s assets include nearly $3 million that is designated to be used to assist public safety officers and their families should a line of duty death or severe injury result in the performance of their duties.
Additionally, annual grants are given as funds are available to do so.
“We are thankful for this private group comprised of a variety of business professionals, including many Frankenmuth business leaders,” Kerns said.
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