FFD thanks employers for their firefighter support
The Frankenmuth Fire Department had a light week of alarm activity, answering the bell two times to run the 2025 calls for service to 197 runs.
At 10:42pm Friday, November 14, a residential carbon monoxide (CO) detector activated at a home in the 600 block of Eastgate Drive.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns said upon investigation, low levels of CO were detected in the home by fire personnel and natural gas was shut off to the furnace and water heater. In the morning, the homeowner sought repairs to the furnace. Nine firefighters responded with Engine 2 and cleared after 40 minutes at the home.
“Our firefighters want to remind the public of the importance of getting your heating appliances checked for the upcoming winter season by a licensed and reputable contractor,” Kerns stated.
At 9:14am Saturday, November 15, the Frankenmuth Police activated the FFD for assistance with a medical call in the 7500 block of Greenleaf Court. Engine 2 responded and assisted MMR Ambulance Service and the FPD in gaining entrance into the home. They cleared 40 minutes later, and nine firefighters reported for duty.
In other FFD news, mid-month training was held Tuesday, November 11, and the FFD utilized the department’s smoke machine to practice interior searches at a vacant home in the 900 block of South Main Street.
“The department is thankful to the property owners for allowing these uses prior to a building either being renovated or demolished as it replicates real-life training in a controlled environment,” Kerns said.
The FFD is made up 35 fire personnel, and they are thankful to their employers who allow these volunteer firefighters to leave their jobs during the work day to respond to calls.
With National Fire Prevention Month completed in October, Kerns and crew wish to thank those employers who make this sacrifice.
“Without their support, adequate and timely staffing to respond to emergencies would be locally impacted. We wish to recognize the following firms: Frankenmuth Credit union, Frankenmuth Insurance, Kremin, Inc., Maurer Builders, Mike Young Buick GMC, Star of the West Milling Company, Thrivent Financial, LumaFi Advisor Group, and Weiss Equipment.
The current roster of 35 certified firefighters (with one currently in the training category, are, in no particular order, Firefighters Brad Thompson, Phil Halverson, Deker Hollerback, Daren Kaschinske, Stacy Corlew, Greg Meyer, Brandon Haught, Nic Winiarski, Trevor Weslock, Lance Peterson, Michael Jimenez, Adam Palmer, Jacob Bierlein, Michael Roeglin, Ken Wilson, Paige Raymond, Jason Maurer, and David Danielson; Senior Firefighters Wayne Nuechterlein and Randy VanDenBoom; Safety Officers Wil Wescoat and Jamison Zehnder; Chaplain Dan Sebold, Training Coordinator Sheldon Perrou, Crew Leaders Chris Picklemann, Ethan Crichton, and Jeff Weiss; Lieutenants Eric MacKinnon, Jeff Kribs, and Adam Weiss; Captains Brandon Schmitzer, Doug Van Wormer, and Matt Vasicek; and Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla and Chief Phil Kerns. Current candidate is Aaron Bartels.
The Frankenmuth Fire Department has the most active firefighters assigned to one station in Saginaw County. A total of 13 fire personnel are state certified emergency medical responders, providing assistance to the Frankenmuth Police and MMR Ambulance Service as requested.
The current calls for service are approaching 200 runs for the year 2025, with over six weeks remaining in the year.
Other FFD facts include:
Twice monthly fire department trainings are conducted throughout the year. The department is very involved in the planning and staffing of the community’s numerous special events.
The FFD’s coverage area includes 36 square miles in Frankenmuth City and Township, and eight square miles in Tuscola Township, through a contract.
The fire apparatus fleet includes two engines/tenders, a 100-foot aerial ladder truck, a medium-duty squad, two brush firefighting vehicles, an all-terrain 6x6 utility vehicle, and a 14-foot long inflatable watercraft.
The FFD’s current ISO Public Protection Class is classified as a 4/4Y. ISO ratings are used by many insurance carriers in the underwriting process, to decide whether to insure, what coverages offer, and what premium to charge.
The Frankenmuth City-Township Commission was formed in 1959, with the commission made up of two City Council and two Township Board members making up the panel, and meeting every other month.
The Commission oversees the Frankenmuth Fire Department operations, maintenance of the two township cemeteries, and the funding and maintenance of the properties utilized by the FFD.
Funding is based on the proportion of each unit’s taxable value compared to the total taxable value of both units. Currently, this means that the City of Frankenmuth pays 75 percent and Frankenmuth Township pays 25 percent of the total cost.
-----------------------------------------
To read this story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.
