Fire News

Published August 22, 2017

Sterling Heights has officially received a way to pay for new firefighting staff to run its new emergency transport plan.

According to city officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the city a $2.62 million federal grant over a three-year period via the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

Published August 14, 2017

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Fire Department awarded money for new ladder truck

ST. CLAIR SHORES — After more than a year of hoping, budgeting and waiting, the St. Clair Shores Fire Department has been awarded a grant to purchase a new “quint” ladder truck, replacing the functions of two aging vehicles.

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Roseville, announced in July that the city’s Fire Department had been awarded a $631,819 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

Published August 9, 2017

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby approves construction of Fire Station No. 4

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On July 18, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees approved the relocation and construction of Fire Station No. 4 in order to address the township’s northward-expanding development.

The $1,999,044 station will be constructed on a 2.8-acre parcel of land on the northwest corner of 25 Mile and Schoenherr roads that the Fire Department purchased several years ago, right after it purchased the property for the new Fire Station No. 5 at 21 Mile and Schoenherr roads.

Published August 9, 2017

Troy Times

No injuries in home fire that started in kitchen

TROY — No one was hurt when a one-story home on Virgilia Drive, in the Livernois and Wattles roads area, caught fire just after 5 p.m. Aug. 3.

According to reports, a resident called 911 and said smoke was filling the home and that they were unsure of the source.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and discovered a working fire, with visible smoke coming from the small one-story home. The resident met the firefighters outside the home and said everyone was out, according to reports.

Published August 2, 2017

Troy Times

Cops, firefighters picnic with kids to raise awareness of limb conditions

TROY — Royal Oak resident Molly Stapleman knows how to throw a picnic.

She founded the Lucky Fin Project — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — seven years ago to raise awareness and celebrate children and adults with abnormalities in their upper limbs, known as upper limb difference or symbrachydactyly. Her daughter, Ryan, now 10, was born with a right hand that has a small palm, no fingers and a tiny thumb.

Published July 26, 2017

Sterling Heights Sentry

Fire crew rescues ducklings from sewer

Thanks to local firefighters, life turned out just ducky for a swarm of ducklings July 12, but officials warned that people should not endanger themselves by attempting to rescue such animals from a sewer or storm drain.

Sterling Heights firefighters from Fire Engine No. 2 went to Windwood Drive, which is near Hall Road and Lakeside Circle, at around 5 p.m. July 12 after learning that some ducklings had fallen into a sewer.

Published July 26, 2017

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

SCS Fire Department receives award for speedy transports

ST. CLAIR SHORES — A majority of patients experiencing heart problems are getting from their homes in the city to a hospital and receiving care within 90 minutes, according to the American Heart Association, which presented the St. Clair Shores Fire Department with a 2017 Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver recognition award July 17.

Published July 20, 2017

Troy Times

Firefighters battle second blaze at factory in two months

A dust filter at American MSC Inc., on Elliott Avenue, near Executive Drive, in the 14 Mile and John R roads area, caught fire at 6:30 p.m. July 19.

Firefighters were called to the same business to extinguish a fire in a dust filter just after 1 a.m. June 2. No injuries were reported in either incident.

When firefighters arrived on the scene July 19 all occupants had safely evacuated the building, said Troy Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Riesterer.

Published July 19, 2017

Sterling Heights Sentry

Fire departments unite to quench dealership blaze

A four-alarm fire that caused major damage to a Sterling Heights auto dealership July 18 required the assistance of multiple fire departments to put it out, according to the Sterling Heights Fire Department.

The city reported that evening that firefighters were summoned to Buff Whelan Chevrolet, 40445 Van Dyke Ave. Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Published July 17, 2017

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

No one injured in fires

The St. Clair Shores Fire Department battled two fires July 13-14 that appeared to be accidental in nature.

The first broke out around 11 a.m. July 13 in the 30000 block of Rosebriar Street.

Fire Marshal M. Bodnar said that four people live in the home, but only the oldest son was there at the time, with his girlfriend and dog. The couple was in the house when neighbors pounded on the door to tell them that there was smoke pouring out of the vent of the garage, which the family uses for entertainment.

Published July 12, 2017

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Koepp named Interim Fire Chief

While the search is on for a new head of the Fire Department, St. Clair Shores has named its training chief, Ryan Koepp, as Interim Fire Chief.

Koepp, who has been with the department since 1998, began in the interim position July 10, more than a week after the retirement of Fire Chief George Morehouse.

Published July 7, 2017

Troy Times

Firefighters battle blaze in hotel dumpster

About a dozen guests were evacuated from the Red Roof Inn at 2350 Rochester Court just before 8:30 p.m. July 5 while firefighters extinguished a blaze in a dumpster 5 feet away from the two-story, wood-framed hotel.

Heavy smoke obscured the 40-yard commercial dumpster being used to hold debris from a remodeling project inside the building, according to the Fire Department.

Published July 5, 2017

Warren Weekly

Warren man injured in fireworks mishap

WARREN — A Warren man was taken to the hospital after a fireworks mishap on Toepfer near Ryan at around 6:30 p.m. July 3.

“It was a 67-year-old male, extremely intoxicated, shooting off a type of bottle rocket in a glass container,” Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt “Skip” McAdams said. “Somehow, something went wrong and the container, the glass bottle exploded, sending glass into his neck, upper torso and now I’m being told that he has some injuries to his lower legs, also.

Published July 5, 2017

Rochester Post

No injuries in house fires

ROCHESTER HILLS — No injuries were reported in two recent house fires. Police officials have determined that both fires were accidental in cause and were contained to small areas.

According to a police report, at 12:02 p.m. June 28, a house fire in the 300 block of Tourangeau Drive occurred in a laundry area. Firefighters extinguished the flames at the home, located in the Rochester Estates manufactured home community near Avon and John R roads, before the fire spread to other areas, the report states.

Published June 28, 2017

Warren Weekly

LMS student council ‘grills’ Warren FD

WARREN — Each day, as members of the Lincoln Middle School student council come and go from school, they are aware of the Warren Fire Department Station No. 1 building across the street, at Nine Mile Road and Federal Street.

When the student council members met with their advisor, Mary E. McSherry, earlier this year, they said they wanted to do a service project to help others. LMS is part of Van Dyke Public Schools.

Published June 28, 2017

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Know the law before shooting fireworks

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The Fourth of July will arrive with a bang, but to make sure that bang doesn’t precede a siren, take the advice of local safety experts.

With the passage of Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011, the state of Michigan allows for the sale of consumer-grade fireworks and their discharge on the day before, day of and day after 10 specified holidays, including July 4.

Published June 26, 2017

Madison - Park News

Madison Heights settles labor contracts with police and fire

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights City Council recently approved tentative labor agreements with the city’s three public safety bargaining groups.

Council voted June 12 on the new terms for police officers, police command and firefighters, after each of the three unions had already voted whether to sign the deal. All three groups had voting majorities approving a one-year deal.

Published June 24, 2017

Troy Times

Firefighters battle blaze on roof of Oakland Mall

A motorist saw flames coming from the roof of the Sears store at Oakland Mall at 14 Mile and John R roads and called 911 just before 4:30 a.m. June 23.

Contractors working on the building at the time reported they smelled smoke and called firefighters, according to reports.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and found a small fire with smoke and flames visible at the large, two-story Sears store, which was closed at the time, Assistant Troy Fire Chief Chuck Riesterer said in a prepared statement.

Published June 23, 2017

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby Township’s newest fire station is operational

On June 20, the Shelby Township Fire Department held a grand opening ceremony for its fifth fire station, located at 21 Mile and Schoenherr roads.

Dozens of community members and children gathered for the raising of the flag, the first call to service, a blessing and a ribbon cutting — as well as a fire hose unscrewing. Fire Chief Jim Swinkowski said the approximately $2.5 million project came in under budget.

Published June 21, 2017

Troy Times

City mourns longtime Fire Chief William Nelson

TROY — William Nelson, 70, was on the job in Troy for over 40 years, and he left a lasting legacy.

Nelson retired as chief of the Troy Fire Department in September 2015 after over four decades with the department. He died June 12 after battling cancer.

He leaves behind his wife, Doris, of 40 years; daughters Lisa (Mike), Amy and Emily (Josh); son Scott; and grandchildren Margaret, Ben, Jason, Jonah, Jackson, Joshua and James.