FFD reaches 50-alarm mark through three months
The Frankenmuth Fire Department answered six alarms last week, culminating with a mutual aid response for a large garage fire on Dixie Highway.
At 12:57pm Tuesday, March 24, a controlled burn in the 7500 block of Frankenmuth Road escaped its pile of brush and torched an adjacent grassy field.
FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer advised the homeowner was able to get some heavy equipment and control the blaze as the FFD arrive and assisted. Brush 7 and Engine 1 responded and cleared 35 minutes later. A total of 10 firefighters reported for duty.
Around 10 Wednesday, March 25, a homeowner in the 8000 block of Junction Road was concerned about potential carbon monoxide release inside their residence.
Fire personnel checked the home and after not detecting any CO on their meter, recommended they contact a trusted mechanical contractor to check the furnace’s operation. FFD Lt. Eric MacKinnon said firefighters cleared within 30 minutes, with 11 traveling to the fire station.
Also on March 25, at 1:54pm, technician conducting alarm maintenance triggered a fire alarm at Kroger Store, 435 North Main Street. FFD Chief Phillip Kerns noted the store manager attempted to cancel the 911 call. Engine 1 responded along with Frankenmuth Police Department officers. Nine fire personnel reported and cleared the scene within 20 minutes.
At 12;35pm Thursday, March 26, an unattended brush pile in the 9000 block of Frankenmuth Road, Frankenmuth Township, resulted in a 911 call.
FFD Crew Leader Jeff Weiss said that the area farmer had returned to his adjacent shed for a few minutes after burning ditches, when the 911 call was made by a passerby. Brush 7 and Brush 5 responded and cleared 30 minutes later. This alarm drew 11 reporting fire personnel.
At 3:18pm Friday, March 27, a passerby reported a large fire was seen in the 9000 block of East Curtis Road.
MacKinnon said the fire units eventually found an unpermitted and illegal burning of a demolished shed in the 9000 block of Warnick Road. The fire was fully extinguished and the property owner was made aware of the open burning regulations.
The matter is under review, Kern said. Brush 5, Brush 7, and Engine 1 responded with 15 firefighters aboard those rigs.
Alarm No. 51 for the year 2026 took place at 5:14pm. The FFD was summoned to assist the Birch Run Fire Department in the 9100 block of Dixie Highway, south of Busch Road, for a detached garage fire.
FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla advised Engine 1 and Squad 4 assisted with fire suppression and overhaul. The blaze is currently under investigation, and the building was heavily damaged.
The Bridgeport Township and Taymouth Township fire departments also lent mutual aid, as well as area police departments and MMR Ambulance Service.
In other FFD news, the end-of-the-month training was conducted Tuesday evening, March 31. They reviewed responses to severe storm guidelines and met with Winter Village facility staff concerning pre-planning and updates on the complex’s operations.
Kerns is also pleased to report that the annual testing on the department’s 100-foot aerial ladder truck and a combined 260 feet of ground ladders carried on the trucks passed testing certifications.
“This testing starts the required 2026 apparatus and equipment testing for ladders, DOT certifications, pumps, hoses, and more,” Kerns explained.
With the approach of spring, warmer weather and the need to do yard clean-up from the winter months, the FFD is prepared for brush fire season again this year.
Kerns pointed out there appears to be the potential for a dry spring and more windy conditions this season.
𠇊s a result, our brush trucks have been made ready in the event we are called. Last week, area departments started responding to brush fire calls and we ask citizens to be extra careful when conducting outdoor burns,” Kerns said.
For a burn permit, and permit information, please call 989-652-3430, extension 359 or online, frankenmuthcity.com and seek burn permits.
Open burning is not permitted within the city limits, as there are several yard waste collections programs that residents can utilize, beginning this month of April
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