FFD assists police with missing man, discharged gun incidents
An assist with a discharged gun in a store and a missing elderly man was all part of the Frankenmuth Fire Department’s week of action.
At 9:12am Wednesday, October 15, a fire alarm at Wellspring Lutheran Home, 725 West Genesee Street, brought the FFD to this facility. Maintenance staff was using a vacuum which tipped over and emitted dust particles in the air, causing the smoke alarm to activate.
Nine firefighters reported and cleared 15 minutes after receiving the alarm.
Later, a 4:09pm, a smoke detector at the Bavarian Blast Water Park at 700 Weiss Street was set off in the kitchen area.
FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla advised staff attempted to cancel the alarm, however the FFD had already been dispatched. Engine 2 and crew confirmed the circumstances and cleared within minutes, sending the 11 fire personnel reporting back to the station.
At 5:58am Friday, October 17, the Frankenmuth Police Department requested assistance from the FFD to help locate an elderly male who had walked away from a residence in the vicinity of West Genesee and Beyerlein streets.
FFD Lt. Eric MacKinnon said while coordination of the search area was commencing, a firefighter enroute to the call located the individual at South Main and Tuscola streets. This occurred before the public safety team deployed the public safety drone and ground units.
A total of 14 firefighters answered the call and cleared the scene within 30 minutes.
Also on October 17, at 12:26pm, Engine 2 and crew responded to the Bavarian Blast Water Park for a general fire alarm. FFD Chief Phil Kerns said the detector malfunctioned and it was a false alarm.
Six fire personnel made the trip to the fire hall, heading home 25 minutes later.
Alarm No. 175 for 2025 took place at 2:15pm Saturday, October 18, for a report of smoke inside the Kroger Store in the Bavarian Mall, 435 North Main Street.
Moments later, the call was updated to a male who had been shot near the north-end self-checkout.
The FFD assisted Frankenmuth Police officers with victim treatment and no smoke or flames were found. MMR Ambulance Service arrived shortly thereafter and transported the victim to Covenant HealthCare Hospital in Saginaw for treatment.
Engine 2, Truck 3, and Squad 4 responded and 18 firefighters reported, clearing 30 minutes later.
“Kroger was able to continue operations during the incident as it was isolated and accidental,” Kerns said.
Kerns also reported two additional calls were received concerning the odorant resulting from the Consumers Energy gas main replacement project in the vicinity of Junction and Maple roads in Frankenmuth Township.
The calls came in at 10:20pm Monday, October 13, and at 11am Monday, October 20.
“It is hopeful that this portion of the project will be completed by midweek,” Kerns stated.
In other FFD news, Engine 2 joined the FFD in giving the Frankenmuth varsity girls’ golf team an escort out of town at noon Thursday, October 16. The Lady Eagles were bound to East Lansing for the MHSAA Division 3 State Finals.
On Friday morning, October 17, FFD Crew Leader Ethan Crichton hosted a group of List Elementary School children in touring the fire station.
The FFD mid-month training was held Tuesday, October 14, on a mild fall evening. Fire personnel performed some ladder truck, ground ladder, and interior hose line advancing training at the Water Resource Recovery Facility on Plant Street, formerly known as the Frankenmuth Waste Water Treatment Plant.
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