FFD Brush 5 Fast Attack truck nearly ready for limited service
The Frankenmuth Fire Department answered a pair of calls for service last week, bringing their 2025 total to 125 alarms.
At 9:12am Wednesday, August 20, the FFD responded to a reported gasoline spill at McDonald’s of Frankenmuth drive through, 478 North Main Street.
FFD Crew Leader Jeff Weiss advised that a vehicle leaked fuel from its gas tank and it created a strong vapor smell and oily sheen on the wet pavement (it was raining). The crew utilized hazmat pads and absorbent to collect the smaller leak prior to entering the catch basin and storm sewer system, due to the rainfall that morning.
Engine 2 and Squad 4 cleared the restaurant after an hour, with 10 firefighters reporting for duty.
At 9:41am Sunday, August 24, a boater on the Cass River notified Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911 that a power line was down across the river in the 12700 block of East Tuscola Street and the utility pole was arcing and on fire.
FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer said the area involved was in the lowland north of the Rummelwald and Consumers Energy was notified of the issue.
𠇌onsumers arrived within an hour and were able to disconnect the electricity and work on repairing the matter which caused a localized power outage,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.
Schmitzer noted the department’s UTV and public safety drone were used to understand the extent of the matter and determine hazards to recreational river users. A total 21 fire personnel reported to the station and scene and cleared two hours later.
In other FFD news, the end-of-the-month training was held Tuesday, August 26, the Mike Young family hosted the firefighters, both active and retired, for a meal on their property in the 6000 block of Maple Road, Frankenmuth Township.
Retirees were updated on recent apparatus projects as well as plans for the proposed new fire station. The FFD is very thankful for the Young family’s hosting of the event and FFD Mom Karen Weiss for her peach dessert.
The Frankenmuth City-Township Commission met Tuesday, August 19, and will conduct a joint meeting with the Frankenmuth City Council and Frankenmuth Township Board of Trustees in October to discuss financing options for funding a new fire station, to be located on West Genesee Street, near Dehmel Road.
Kerns noted that much work has been done for several years to get to this point and much more is forthcoming to inform the governing bodies and community on the need to replace the antiquated 1952 station.
Kerns also stated the FFD’s $20,000 grant request to outfit the new Brush 5 Fast Attack vehicle was recently approved by the Frankenmuth Credit Union’s Foundation for our Communities.
“The $200,000 apparatus is nearly completed for limited service and this grant will certainly get it ready for its intended full purpose to access tight locations during congested times due to festivals and events and serve as a back-up to our current 20-year-old brush truck,” Kerns stated.
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