FFD answers five alarms, preparing to bring new Brush 5 in service
The Frankenmuth Fire Department responded to five fire alarms last week, and is preparing to welcome a new truck into its fleet in about two months.
FFD Truck Committee Chairman Captain Doug Van Wormer reported the slide-in pump and tank have been placed on the department’s new Brush 5. VanWormer is targeting to have the fast attack brush vehicle ready for firefighting service by September 1.
𠇊lthough equipment is on order and further mounting of items is in process, the truck will be able to minimally function as work in progresses and the equipment is added,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.
The new rig is a 2024 Dodge Ram 5500 flatbed with a Cummins diesel engine, purchased locally at Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler-Dodge-Ram-Jeep. The frame will be outfitted with a 400-gallon water tank and ready for fast attack/brush firefighting.
The current Brush 7 is a 20-year-old Chevrolet pickup truck, and it will continue to be in service for a few more years to come, Kerns noted.
“Our goal is to have dual use vehicles based on the needs of our fire coverage area so that they can serve as backup to each other in the event of a maintenance issue or larger-scale events,” Kerns said
FFD personnel are completing the work in house, with an anticipated savings of approximately $100,000 by having it ordered through a vendor. VanWormer advised that although it takes time to complete the build out, grants are being sought and equipment will be added as funding and volunteer time are available to complete the tasks.
𠇏irefighters wish to thank the Frankenmuth City-Township Commission and other contributing organizations to this point. Thanks to retired Firefighter Mike Zehnder and the department’s Jeff Weiss and VanWormer for their latest work on the project,” Kerns stated.
For the week, alarm No. 91 too place at 12:59pm Tuesday, June 22, at a residence in the 9000 block of Truax Road, Tuscola Township. The resident reported a natural gas leak inside the basement of his home.
Upon arrival, FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer advised Consumers Energy was already on the scene and needed assistance to ventilate the basement and home due to the high concentration of gas created by the leaky gas valve.
Firefighters were on the scene for just under one hour and cleared following Consumer’s approval for safety. Ten fire personnel reported, traveling in Engine 2 and Engine 1 to the scene. A local contractor also was called to make repairs.
Also on Tuesday, at 10:32pm, a passerby reported smoke emitting from the roof of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, One Covered Bridge Lane. Firefighters were just clearing the station following a monthly training meeting and Engine 2 immediately responded.
Upon arriving, FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla observed a column of what appeared to be pressurized white smoke spewing from the Bavarian Inn Restaurant’s north chimney, which did not appear to be normal.
Engine 2 was diverted to check on that issue and Truck 3 was sent to the Lodge, clearing after a bit when it was confirmed to be at the Restaurant. Further investigation determined the Inn’s steam system had a failure in the basement’s condensate room, which forced the steam to vent through two chimney pipes.
𠇊lthough only employees were inside the building, as the Inn was closed for the day, they evacuated until the source of the issue could be identified,” Kerns said. “The pressurized steam is very hot and it was allowed to vent, as designed, and there were no injuries.”
Engine 1 and Squad 4 also made the trip to the scene with 24 firefighters reporting. There was a build-up of condensation in the affected room, however, continued operations did not appear to be hindered as maintenance crews were on-scene to repair the issue. All units and personnel cleared just after an hour of on-duty time.
At 11:37am Thursday, June 26, a sensor detected heat in a kitchen hood, triggering an alarm at the Bavarian Blast Water Park, One Covered Bridge Lane.
FFD Lt. Eric MacKinnon stated Engine 2 responded and the water park maintenance had responded ahead of the fire personnel to take care of the matter. A half-dozen firefighters reported and cleared within 20 minutes of the call.
At 11:28pm Friday, June 27, Squad 4 assisted the Frankenmuth Police and MMR Ambulance Service personnel at the Fairfield Inn,430 South Main Street, for a medical call. Nine firefighters reported and cleared nearly 60 minutes later.
The final alarm of the past week was the 95th call for service through six months of 2025. At 8:32pm Saturday, June 28, an audible alarm and smell of propane gas coming from a recreational vehicle drew the FFD to Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, 1339 Weiss Street.
Schneirla said that the RV owners had stepped away and a stove burner apparently had been left on without the pilot light being lit, filling the camper with LP gas fumes, and sounding the gas alarm. Alert neighboring campers notified park staff and Saginaw Central Dispatch 911 was called.
The FFD assisted and Engine 2’s crew ventilated the RV while curious children were kept away, thanks to FPD Officer Brett Adkins and his public relations skills and related hand-out materials.
In other FFD news, fire personnel trained June 24 on small engines, drafting at the dry hydrant on Frankenmuth Road, and additional Marine 9 boat exercises were performed at the Cass River boat launch.
FFD Chef Wayne Cormier and FFD mom Karen Weiss provided the crews with a meal, while they conducted their business meeting. After training, the heat and humidity 𠇏orced” some the crews to stop at Jaami’s Ice Cream & Treats, compliments of a local resident.
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