Auto Fest keeps FFD, other area departments, busy with staffing
Four alarms and a long weekend with the Frankenmuth Auto Fest kept the Frankenmuth Fire Department busy.
The week began at 9:20am Thursday, September 4, when Engine 2 and Truck 3 responded to Diversified Physical Therapy, 195 East Jefferson Street, for a general fire alarm.
FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla advised maintenance work was on going on the sprinkler system and it lost pressure, which resulted in a flow alarm. A total of 13 fire personnel reported and cleared the scene within 20 minutes.
Later on Thursday, at 9:43pm, the FFD was summoned regarding a reported campfire at a temporary Auto Fest campground in the 800 block of Weiss Street.
Brush Truck 7 responded and found a manufactured LP gas-fired campfire container had been safely utilized by a camper.
“Such devices are permitted outside licensed campgrounds as they do not emit smoke or embers, unlike wood campfires which are generally prohibited within the city limits,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.
Brush 7 confirmed the matter and cleared the park within minutes, with 11 firefighters traveling to the station.
At 8:10am Saturday, September 6, Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911 received a general fire alarm at the Bethesda Group Home, 210 Mayer Road. Engine 2 and Truck 3 responded and found that steam had activated the detector and there was no fire. Sixteen firefighters reported and cleared within 30 minutes.
In other FFD news, from Friday through Sunday, dozens of firefighters participated at the Frankenmuth Auto Fest events by staffing assignments on Friday evening on South Main Street through working in Heritage Park on Saturday and Sunday.
𠇍ue to the congestion and number of spectators, Birch Run, Bridgeport, and Vassar fire departments supplemented local crews as well as MMR Ambulance Service dedicating emergency medical staffing for the event,” Kerns stated.
Schneirla pointed out that five calls were responded to during the Auto Fest and none of those responses required victim transport. Kerns is thankful to the firefighters and emergency medical responders for being available to assist the Auto Fest leadership and the Frankenmuth Police Department officers during this event.
“Many organizations and groups have been provided financial support from the Auto Fest Committee for their efforts as the volunteer force required to make this event safe and enjoyable is tremendous.” Kerns stated. “This is a true community even and Auto Fest ensures that all volunteer groups benefit.”
Kerns wishes to thank the many businesses that supported FFD’s personnel with food and refreshments over the weekend.
On Tuesday, September 9, the FFD met and utilized the dry standpipe system at the Frankenmuth River Place complex and reviewed that fire protection system as well as conducting a pre-plan review. They finished the meeting with a tour of the new Hilton Home2 Hotel, 1088 South Main Street, which is expected to open by the end of September.
-----------------------------------------
To read this story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.
