Got milk?
FFD cleans up large milk spill on South Main Street
A leaking milk tanker was one of seven calls for service for the Frankenmuth Fire Department last week, raising their 2026 total to 137 alarms.
At 11:14am Sunday, August 2, the FFD was called for a tanker leaking a white, foamy substance in the 700 block of South Main Street, with the driver observed to be out of the semi attempting to stop the leak.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns said upon arrival at the scene, the truck and trailer were gone, but a wet, slick road surface was observed on South Main Street., in the inside, northbound lane. Further investigation determined the leak began at Grauer Drive and extended north to the Frankenmuth Historical Museum.
The Frankenmuth Police Department attempted to locate the truck and tanker to determine the substance, but were unsuccessful as the trail had ended. Kerns noted that a liquid which appeared to be milk was found pooled in the gutter pan in front of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
During the interim, responding firefighters saw a milk tanker at Junction and Weiss roads in Frankenmuth Township. FFD Captain Doug VanWormer contacted the area driver who advised that a cap had loosened on the tanker, creating the leak prior to him discovering the problem.
Upon identifying the substance as milk, the FFD and FPD units used approximately 2,000 gallons of water and sprayed the sticky roadway and gutter. Because the amount spilled was thought to be greater than 55 gallons, a small white plume appeared in the Cass River below the rock ramp, at just about the time a cloud burst of rain soaked the area. That is where the storm sewer outlet is located on Main Street.
The spill was reported to Michigan Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) as required by law as there was nothing further local emergency responders could do. A total of 14 firefighters reported for duty and cleared 90 minutes later.
The FFD’s week began at 1:10pm Monday, July 27, as they were called to investigate a possible carbon monoxide (CO) leak at a residence in the 9000 block of Junction Road. FFD Crew Leader Jeff Weiss advised no readings were detected and the detector was out of date. Seven fire personnel traveled to the station and cleared within 25 minutes.
Five minutes after the above dispatch, at 1:15pm, a flowing fire hydrant was reported on Dehmel Road, near Curtis Road. Firefighters checked with the City Water Department and they confirmed they were flushing out the hydrant.
At 12:24am Tuesday, July 28, FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said a CO alarm was activated at a home in Wickson Court and reported to Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911. Kerns said readings were taken, it was found to be a false alarm, and Engine 2 and crew cleared nearly an hour later.
Also on July 28, at 7:50am, a kitchen hood system alarm was triggered at the Drury Inn, 260 South Main Street, reported to 911. It was deemed a system malfunction and 10 firefighters made the trip to the fire hall, clearing immediately.
At 4:45am Friday, July 31, a combination smoke and CO detector sounded at a residence in the 100 block of Harvest Lane. Through an investigation, the firefighters determined this detector had reached the end of its lifecycle and needed replacing. Seven fire personnel reported and cleared the scene 30 minutes later.
The final alarm of the week took place on Sunday, August 2, at 10:45pm in the 900 block of South Main Street. The FPD required assistance from the fire department with door spreaders as an employee of the shop believed he left the coffee pot on but he was locked out of the business.
Schneirla said firefighters were able to assist the employee in gaining entrance. Eight fire personnel were part of this alarm and they cleared after 40 minutes.
In other FFD news, on Tuesday, July 25, the FFD conducted its end-of-the-month training in the parking lot at the Frankenmuth Conservation Club for some apparatus training. They also toured the neighboring Camp Kiwanis facility in the 8600 block of East Curtis Road.
The camp has been at this 70-acre location for decades and is utilized for outdoor youth education and scouting.
As of press time, the fate of the proposed Frankenmuth Fire Department millage has been determined by Frankenmuth Township voters. Firefighters and elected officials finalized their public information campaign on the need for a new fire station after their nearly 75-year-old building no longer meets the needs of firefighters and the community to house and operate its fire station.
The quest began several years ago and Tuesday’s vote determined whether the nearly $10 million construction project will proceed. Kerns and elected officials are very much aware of the proposed cost and if approved, will keep the project in line to meet the needs of the firefighters and taxpayer-approved funding.
𠇊s typical, our community challenged us with some excellent questions, ideas, ad comments and we answered that we could and will make sure we review others as we move forward. We are blessed to be trusted emergency responders and truly humbled by the continued community support shown throughout this process,” Kerns stated.
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