FFD reminds residents to check their heating systems this fall
Mechanical issues downed wires, a medical assist and a bumped smoke detector were part of the seven calls for service for the Frankenmuth Fire Department this past week.
At 2:40pm Tuesday, October 21, following a rainstorm that produced some gusty winds, the FFD was activated for a downed tree in the roadway which pulled down wires in the vicinity of Beyer and Curtis roads, Frankenmuth Township.
FFD Lt. Adam Weiss said Engine 2 and Brush 5 responded, along with the Frankenmuth Police, and found a large white pine tree had fallen across South Beyer Road, in the 7100 block. Primary wires and communication lines were also affected.
Fire and police waited until Consumers Energy arrived, and 14 firefighters reported and cleared over two hours later.
Later that afternoon, at 5:45pm, a passerby noticed a down wire laying across the 4800 block of South Gera Road, near Roedel Road.
FFD Crew Leader Jeff Weiss reported Engine 2 and FPD officers responded and were able to clear the roadway of the communication line. Units called Spectrum to report the matter, 15 firefighters traveled to the station and the all-clear was given after 40 minutes on the scene.
Also on Tuesday, at 9:51pm, some communication lines came down across a driveway in the 7200 block of South Beyer Road, blocking a residential driveway.
FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer advised that this alarm was related to the earlier Beyer Road call. Spectrum was contacted, Engine 2 and Brush 7 responded and cleared 45 minutes later, with 11 fire personnel.
At 8:16pm Wednesday, October 22, the FFD was summoned to assist FPD officers with a medical call in the 7000 block of Junction Road, Frankenmuth Township. Squad 4 responded and assisted for 20 minutes. Sixteen firefighters reported for this alarm.
Painters preparing to work in the interior of Winter Village, 255 Mayer Road, bumped the smoke detector and activated the smoke detector at 4:30pm Friday, October 24.
FFD Fire Chief Phil Kerns said his department quickly confirmed the issue and cleared, with nine firefighters ready to go.
The new week started with two calls for service on Monday, October 27. At 10:18am, employees preparing to open St. Julian’s Winery, 127 South Main Street, smelled smoke, noticed a haze, evacuated, and called Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911 to report the issue.
Schmitzer noted a cooler motor had a mechanical issue in the front showroom and was unplugged without incident. Engine 2 and Truck 3 responded with the FPD and cleared 25 minutes later. A total of 10 fire personnel reported for duty.
Alarm No. 182 for the year 2025 took place at 1:29pm October 27, as they responded to the 200 block of West Tuscola Street to the Towne West Apartments.
A heating system was malfunctioning, the firefighters confirmed the system needed to be serviced, and they disconnected it until work could be completed by a qualified and licensed professional. Ten fire personnel reported and cleared after 40 minutes.
In other FFD news, Kerns alerts area residents the heating season is upon us and with the growing number of responses to heating system-related calls due to cold weather, these fires remain the second-leading cause of home fires based on recent statistics.
These home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of the year, and to follow these heating tips to prevent winter fire and to stay safe this heating season:
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heating sources, including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiator, space heaters, or candles;
Never use an oven to heat your home;
Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed, and;
Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.
Additionally, with Daylight Saving Time ending at 2am Sunday, November 2, remember to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks. Check the age of your detectors and consider replacement if they are dated or the manufacturer recommends replacement after a certain time period.
Smoke detectors should be placed on every level of the dwelling, in a hallway leading to the bedroom(s), and in every bedroom. Carbon monoxide detectors are to be located on every level, should be tested, and dates checked.
“The month of October is a good time to purchase these products as fire prevention discounts are offered by many area retailers,” Kerns said.
On Thursday, October 23, Kern met with 25 home school children at the Frankenmuth Bible Church to review fire prevention information with them.
On Sunday evening, October 26, the FFD Building Committee met to review a draft proposal for the proposed new station after attending a joint special meeting last week with the Frankenmuth City Council and Frankenmuth Township Board to review new station finance options.
Tuesday evening, October 28, firefighters met and were updated on department issues and trained on firefighter entrapment guidelines and procedures.
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