Frankenmuth Fire Department adds three new firefighters
The Frankenmuth Fire Department has added three new firefighters to its roster.
Andrew Babcock, David Danielson and Michael Jimenez were probationary firefighters and have passed their written and state exams. A commencement ceremony was held last night (May 7) at Swan Valley High School. Each have over 200 volunteer hours to serve as the community’s newest firefighters.
“We are honored and grateful to have them join our firefighting force, which brings our number to 35 personnel,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said. “With this basic training completed, we will now be able to fully utilize them and continue their life-long learning about the latest in firefighting.”
Babcock is employed at Schaefer & Bierlein as a service technician, Danielson is a full-time Frankenmuth Police Department officer and Jimenez works for Blasius, Inc. in the Village of Tuscola.
“Once again, if it weren’t for the full cooperation of the Frankenmuth-area business community, who allows their volunteer firefighters to respond during working hours – if they are available - the success of our fire department would not be possible,” Kerns stated.
Ongoing training is paramount to the FFD’s success. On April 30, the Oakland Community College phase 2 flashover simulator was brought to the station 𠇊nd it was a huge success,” Kerns said.
Some Frankenmuth City-Township Commission members were able to come and watch the FFD personnel. They are always glad to participate in worthwhile training. The training took nearly three hours as the firefighters circulated through the process.
This week, the annual Department of Transportation (DOT) fleet maintenance, testing and certification is taking place. Kerns said area residents will see the fire truck fleet outside of the station, with their cabs and hoods raised, along with pump testing along North Franklin Street, near the former TSD Plan 3.
The FFD has answered 44 calls for service through May 1.
Around 9:30am Tuesday, April 30, Bridgeport Township Fire Department activated FFD for a mutual aid assist for a house fire in the 3400 block of Creekwood Drive.
Buena Vista and Spaulding fire departments were also summoned, however, Spaulding did not have any manpower, so Frankenmuth was paged out.
�use of the changing dynamics with today’s structure fires and because of modern materials, minimal staffing level standards at such fires recommend up to 20 firefighters in order to properly and safely extinguish such a fire,” Kerns explained.
FFD Lt. Adam Weiss said the 1,400-square foot ranch home was extensively damaged. Squad 4 responded with four personnel and cleared after two hours. Ten fire personnel reported to the station.
Shortly after 2pm Wednesday, May 1, the FFD responded to The Fortress Golf Course for a smoke detector activation in a maintenance building.
FFD Safety Officer Jamison Zehnder said no fire was found and the course staff would check the system for malfunctions. Engine 1 responded with five personnel and cleared the scene after 15 minutes. A total of 10 fire personnel traveled to the station.
