FFD responds to 11 weather-related incidents in two hours

  The Frankenmuth Fire Department had a whirlwind  of alarms to tend to on Monday afternoon, May 18, as 20 firefighters handled 11 incidents from 4:40pm to 6:50pm in the Frankenmuth City and Township.

  Before the swiftly-moving storm rolled through the Saginaw Valley and Thumb, the FFD had a response to the corner of Parker and East School streets at 12:45pm for a wire down and arcing. It ended up being a communication line and the company was called and the fire personnel cleared the scene.

  The first call for service as the high winds and driving rain entered the area was at 4:40pm, at Cass and West Tuscola streets, for a tree down on a power line. Four minutes later, in the 7000 block of East Greenleaf Court, wires were still up but arcing.

  At the same 4:44pm mark, at 170 Parker Street, a tree pulled down wires and they were arcing. At 4:57pm, in the 600 block of East Tuscola Street, a street light pole and wires were down across a walking path. At 5:35pm, a downed tree was on wires in the 300 block of Nickless Street. And at 6:50pm, a downed power line was reported in the 100 block of Trinklein Street.

  All these responses also involved the Frankenmuth Police Department and Frankenmuth City Department of Public Works (DPW).

  “High winds preceded the rain and a fast-moving thunderstorm resulted in multiple reports of trees down on electrical and communication wires, street light poles, and they crossed sidewalks, roadways, and streets,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.

  Kerns also urges the public to be cautious in the storm’s aftermath by watching for wires intertwined with tree branches while performing clean-up activities. Residents should survey trees for limbs that have been damaged, but have no fallen yet.

  Consumers Energy and Charter Communications were both contacted about numerous downed lines and several localized power outages were reported.

  “The largest report involved several mature pine trees that fell across South Beyer Road, between East Curtis and Ronrick roads, where firefighters spent over an hour clearing a path before the Saginaw County Road Commission could respond,” Kerns stated.

  FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said no injuries were reported to emergency personnel or residents. The department emptied out its fire station, utilizing Engine 1, Engine 2, Brush 5, and Brush 7 on multiple calls. Firefighters cleared the last incident just after 7pm, before returning to the hall for equipment cleanup.

  With this series of incidents, the total number of responses for 2026 rose to 85 calls for service.

  Due to the severe weather, the City of Frankenmuth will conduct a special brush pick up, through today (May 20). Please place brush neatly at the curb for this service.

  “The Public Works crews and Frankenmuth Fire Department worked into the evening Monday to ensure downed trees, limbs, and lines were safe for the public. There are some downed trees in park areas. Please avoid any area that has caution tape while we work to remove damaged trees,” Frankenmuth City Manager Bridget Smith said.

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