Early-morning alarms are part of FFDs dedication to the community
Various alarms in Frankenmuth City and Township drew the attention of the Frankenmuth Fire Department last week.
At 11:15am Tuesday, February 10, a carbon monoxide alarm in the 9000 block of Bender Road, Frankenmuth Township, resulted in a call for service.
FFD crews arrived and found the detector was faulty, with no CO readings reported on the department’s gas detector. Engine 2 responded and cleared after 25 minutes, with eight firefighters reporting for duty.
At 4:07pm the same day, the FFD was called to assist MMR Ambulance Service at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, 713 South Main Street, for a medical call. The 10 fire personnel assisted and cleared within 10 minutes.
Still on Tuesday, at 8:30pm, a water flow alarm was activated at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 South Main Street. The alarm took place during the FFD’s mid-month training and they found a burst sprinkler pipe.
Some water damage was incurred and crews assisted the maintenance staff with clean up. Twenty-six firefighters reported and cleared the scene nearly one hour later.
At 7:45am Thursday, February 12, a smoke detector activation drew the department to the third floor of the Fairfield Inn, 430 South Main Street. FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla advised an occupant vaping near the elevator triggered the alarm.
Thirteen firefighters made the trip to the station and cleared 20 minutes later.
Later on Thursday, at 1:53pm. Fuel leaking from a customer’s vehicle brought the FFD to the McDonald’s of Frankenmuth’s drive through, 478 South Main Street.
The fumes were beginning to permeate the restaurant’s interior. Squad 4 quickly responded and resolved the matter, FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer said. Eight fire personnel reported, clearing a short time thereafter.
Alarm No. 26 for 2026 took place at 4:26am Friday, February 13, for an activated CO detector at a residence in the 600 block of Heine Street.
Engine 2 and Squad 4 traveled to the scene to find a faulty detector. The FFD cleared 20 minutes later, with 13 fire personnel reporting.
The general public isn’t aware that may of the FFD’s volunteer firefighters have been responding to call during all hours of the day or night for years.
Currently, the FFD roster boasts of 35 firefighters, with the average firefighter age of 43. This spans personnel ages 24 to 785, with 15 firefighters living within one mile of the station, and average is just over 2.5 miles away, FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.
“Our average firefighting years of service is over 18, with a combined total of 632 years. Our newest firefighter has just one year of service and our oldest over 45,” Kerns said. “What this does to our roster is add experience and diversity, as we have males and females, and a mixture of ethnic and work skills backgrounds.”
Kerns said the fire station banter, before but mostly after, a call for service gets quite interesting.
“I always marvel at the conversations we get into after decompressing for the many calls that include well wishes and prayers for victims. The nighttime calls, where our sleep is interrupted, creates quite a few impromptu conversations,” Kerns quipped.
Early last Friday morning, just after 4am, a few of the firefighters decided that they were up for the day, while others talked about returning home to get some sleep before getting up to start the day.
“Sometimes we purposely delay getting home because it may give our sleeping families who may have already been interrupted in our leaving the home to respond to a call and from the squeal of our pagers. This will give them a few more minutes of rest from our noisy return,” Kerns explained.
Kerns also said even when back home and in bed, most just toss and turn trying to return to peaceful slumber, watch the clock for the morning wake-up time or fall asleep just prior to the dreaded alarm summoning to start the day.
“Yes, this type of response requirement is not for those who seek uninterrupted sleep. Regardless, depending on the call, victims and their families have early morning sentinels on watch duty. God bless our volunteers!” Kerns exclaimed.
In other FFD news, last week firefighters participated in challenges of their skills in ladder operations, including the ladder truck, and JAWS extrication tools.
On Tuesday, February 17, the Frankenmuth City-Township Commission met for their regular meeting, receiving updates on the FFD and cemetery business operations.
Also on February 17, FFD officers met to discuss various department operational matters.
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