Cadillac is without a fire marshal

Cadillac is without a fire marshal following the termination of Anthony Wolff. Wolff pleaded no contest to domestic violence in March. The charges were issued in Missaukee County and Wolff was not expected to serve jail time. The city says he brought disrepute to the department and terminated his position shortly thereafter. The International Association of Firefighters have been fighting that decision. "The firefighters union is taking this issue to arbitration because a firefighter was unjustly terminated," said Chris Koontz, president of Local 704 in Cadillac. "It is our job to ensure that the city follows the rules and processes that it agreed to when it comes to discipline and that it does so fairly. The city did not in this case, forcing no other option but for us to seek an arbitrator to intervene in the matter."
Cadillac News

All Leelanau millage requests approved

Leelanau Township Emergency Services will be staffed with four people around the clock after voters approved an increase in funding. The tax proposal combined two taxes of 2.2 mills and 0.5 mills already in place that fund operations and equipment for the department and added 0.85 mills for a total of 3.55 mills. The proposal was approved by Leelanau Township voters on a vote of 679 to 279. The millage is the only source of funding for the department and will bring in $1.563 million in its first year. Hugh Cook, fire chief, was unavailable for comment. The department offers Advanced Life Support services after a millage was approved in 2017, but the services are costing more than anticipated, Cook has said. The increased funding will allow the department to add a fourth duty person to staffing numbers for 24/7 service.
Traverse City Record-Eagle

Niles Township appoints acting fire chief, introduces new fire code

Both firefighters and fire code were the center of discussion Monday evening during the Niles Charter Township Board of Trustees’ regular meeting. A new fire code was introduced with a public hearing set for the Aug. 17 regular meeting, and three firefighters were in attendance from the Niles Township Fire Department to be recognized and appointed in duties for August. Three volunteer firefighters were recognized for achieving their state certifications with the Niles Township Fire Department, and an acting fire chief for the department was appointed as Chief Gary Brovold hung up his gear when he retired from the position on Aug. 1.
Leader Publications

Bloomfield Hills Firefighter Dies of Apparent Heart Attack

The U.S. Fire Administration reported on the death of a Bloomfield Hills (MI) Department of Public Safety member who passed away of an apparent heart attack earlier this week. On August 2, 2020, Sergeant Steven Splan, 46, was on fire duty and, at approximately 1200hrs, helped to remove a tree blocking a roadway. Sergeant Splan, later in the evening during patrol, went on a meal break to the public safety building, where he was found unresponsive in the department kitchen. CPR was immediately performed and he was taken to the local hospital where he was pronounced deceased from an apparent heart attack late in the evening on August 2, 2020. Sergeant Splan had 28 years of service.
Fire Engineering

Voters pass Muskegon Township tax proposals for public safety, street lighting

Muskegon Township residents voted in favor of two millage renewals Tuesday, continuing their support for public safety and street lighting for another five years. The public safety millage passed with a vote of 2,524 yes and 834 no, while the street lighting millage passed with 2,199 yes and 1,136 no, according to unofficial Tuesday, Aug. 4, election results from the Muskegon County clerk’s office. Township voters renewed the 2.75-mill property tax to fund police and fire services through 2024. The millage will raise $1.04 million the first year. One mill of tax equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Owners of a home with a market value of $150,000 and a taxable value of $75,000, would pay $206.25 per year for the public safety millage.
Mlive.com