Grosse Ile chief: in-house Fire 1/2 classes, $49,000 in grant-funded training, ambulance delivery moved up

GROSSE ILE, Mich. — At the Grosse Ile Fire Commission meeting, Chief Bob Roscoe gave an operations update that highlighted in-house training, grant-funded courses and equipment delivery schedule changes. Roscoe said the department has started Fire 1 and Fire 2 classes at its facility with about 18 students, including personnel from neighboring jurisdictions. He described several grant sources that have covered training costs and clarified the funding mechanism: “It's not a reimbursement. They just pay the bill,” Roscoe said. Roscoe reported the department has received roughly $49,000 in training funded by grants since his April 5 start date and that the department did not pay those training costs out of its own operating budget. Training funded or supported includes the Fire 1/2 program, EMT instruction and dive-team training; instructor courses are also being paid for by grants. The chief also provided equipment updates: a new ambulance originally slated for delivery in October 2026 is now expected in April 2026, and the department’s aerial ladder truck remains on schedule for November. Roscoe said staff are arranging appraisals on vehicles to determine whether to trade in or sell older apparatus. Roscoe invited the public to an open house on Oct. 5 from noon to 4 p.m., noting the department will display equipment and run a fundraiser whose proceeds support a children’s holiday event. Commissioners and staff also said the department will post photos from recent events on social media.