Saginaw Councilman John Milne typically shows up to City Hall in business attire.
On Friday, June 15, though, he suited up in 40-plus pounds of firefighting equipment.
"It reminds me of just how much hard work they do," said Milne. "The extraction tool, that piece of equipment weighs 40 pounds." Milne and other Saginaw elected officials participated in a special training Friday to give them additional perspective on what firefighters go through on a daily basis.
"When you suit up it is about 120 degrees in there," Councilwoman Brenda Moore said. "I really gained a true respect for what they do every day."
Officials learned to use a vehicle extraction tool, raise ladders and control the aerial truck.
Milne said that Saginaw firefighters' jobs have become tougher since cuts to the department. In January, the department closed the Hess Avenue station and lost 13 firefighters after it didn't get $2 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.