Annual airport firefighter training held at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City

VIDEO: Things got a little fired up May 8th over at the airport. It was annual training for firefighters in case of aircraft related emergencies. Members from the Traverse City and Pro-Tec Fire Departments, and even Manistee Department were on the airport grounds for training. ARFF Specialists Owner and Instructor Louis Kurtz is a former airport firefighter with over 25 years of experience and brings in this structure closely resembling a real airplane in order to make sure the training is as authentic as possible. “The frequency of these events are very low,” says Kurtz “However, the impact is extremely high and you’re dealing with essentially a giant aircraft moving with thousands of gallons of fuel and 1 to 200 occupants with souls on board there. Giving these firefighters the muscle memory and the aides to be able to act without thinking is vitally important when seconds come to the plane.”
WWTV CBS 9 Cadillac

Barn fire in Coopersville sets hundreds of cows loose

A barn fire in Coopersville sent animals fleeing and pulled in help from everyone in the area Wednesday night. The Coopersville/Polkton Area Fire and Rescue Department were leading the scene along 56th Avenue, south of Roosevelt St., with Ottawa County Sheriff's Office assisting. At first, Fox 17 was told there were about 500 cows loose and/or in danger, but Ottawa County Deputies updated us around 3:30 a.m. saying many were rescued and rounded up by first responders, employees, and people in the area who'd stop to help. Five other fire departments responded; Wright/Tallmadge, Allendale, Ravenna, Moorland, and Chester Fire Departments, along with LIFE EMS. No injuries have been reported. Emergency crews were investigating the possibility of gas tanks inside the barn, but the cause has not been made public.
WXMI-TV FOX 17 Grand Rapids

Follow Up: As first responders go through Portage neighborhood ripped apart by tornado they find a woman in labor

First responders put their lives on the line Tuesday evening as multiple tornadoes gutted through Southwest Michigan. One of those tornadoes was confirmed in Portage. It ripped through neighborhoods and tore through homes. William Graham, City of Portage Deputy Fire Marshal, confirmed that people from over 40 homes were displaced after the devastating storms, including a pregnant Portage woman who went into labor amid all the chaos. “We had 47 people walk out back to Shirring Road and take buses that are going to take them to shelters," said Graham. The City of Portage received some of the worst effects of the severe weather that hit Southwest Michigan Tuesday evening. Homes were completely destroyed, and cars were totaled. Police and firefighters were the first on the scene as the community began taking in the aftermath.
WZZM-TV ABC 13 Grand Rapids

VIDEO: Community, family remember Dowagiac’s historic Ramona Roller Rink after fire

PHOTOS: Fire crews battled a fierce building blaze at Ramona Roller Rink on Tuesday evening. Firefighters from several local departments were called to the rink just after 6 p.m. on reports of a working commercial fire to the nearly 100-year-old building. It will not only be remembered for today’s fire that led to the loss of this entire building, but also it was known as the place to be in the community. “It means a lot; it’s a very big staple in the community, as you can see by how many people came out,” said Jenn Schaus, daughter of the owner. “And just in my own family, generations we’ve been here, all my aunts and uncles skated. Brothers and sisters, my parents met.” The community was hurting and surrounded the street, checking to make sure they could get one last look at their childhood.
WNDU-TV NBC 16 South Bend

Muskegon firefighters put out house fire

PHOTO: Muskegon firefighters were met with hoarding conditions inside a home that caught fire Monday evening, making it difficult for them to make their way inside. Firefighters were called out to a home in the 1400 block of West Laketon around 5:20 p.m. Monday. Some of the first crews on scene were met with smoke and found heavy fire inside. Because of reported "hoarding conditions," crews had to use a window to get inside. Not long after firefighters arrived on the scene and started attacking the blaze, they were able to snuff out the flames and smoke. There were no injuries reported. Deputy Director of Muskegon Public Safety Jay Paulson said they believe an overloaded circuit panel sparked the fire. He also said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
WZZM-TV ABC 13 Grand Rapids

Tornado pushes through Portage, severely damaging FedEx facility and local properties

PHOTOS: A FedEx facility was severely damaged after a tornado ripped through Portage Tuesday evening. Photos and videos show a substantial amount of the building, located on Portage Road near Ramona Avenue, is severely damaged, including a caved-in roof and flooding. At this time, all employees have been accounted for, and no casualties have been reported, according to the City of Portage. Following Tuesday's storms, Fedex officials issued the following statement: “Our thoughts are with those affected by the tornado in Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful there were no serious injuries resulting from the damage to our facility at 6701 Portage Road. We continue to assess the damage, and we are implementing contingency plans to lessen any potential impacts on service. Customers with questions about their shipments can check fedex.com for updates.”
WWMT-TV CBS 3 Kalamazoo