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Grosse Ile Fire Department reports 30% year‑to‑date rise in calls as staffing grows
Summary
Fire Chief reported a roughly 30% year‑to‑date increase in calls, detailed staffing gains to 32 members, and described recent training and mutual‑aid responses including a house fire on Aug. 3.
The Grosse Ile Fire Department told commissioners that emergency medical service runs and fire activity are up about 30% year to date, and department staffing has increased substantially to meet the demand.
Why it matters: A sustained rise in calls affects response capacity, training needs and scheduling; the department said added personnel and targeted training are intended to maintain service levels.
The chief reported "466 EMS runs, 96 fire incidents," and said "about 105 of those calls were at night between the hours of 10PM and 6AM." He added overall calls are "up about 30% year to date from this time last year." When asked how many members the department has, the chief replied, "We are at, currently 32 members," and said the department has "pretty much doubled our staffing in the last, year and a half."
Commissioners and the chief described recent and ongoing training: five new members are taking an instructor class hosted at the fire department at no cost to the township; six members are taking Firefighter I and II classes at the neighboring Grosse Ile Fire Department; two members attended a fire safety officer class required by the state; and water‑rescue and driver‑operator training occurred during weekly sessions. The chief said larger class sizes require splitting into groups for effective, hands‑on training.
The chief described an Aug. 3 house fire at about 6 p.m. involving a two‑story garage-like structure separate from the main residence. He said the department controlled the fire and prevented spread to the residence; the department thanked the Grosse Ile Police Department and the Trenton Fire Department for mutual aid, noting Trenton sent a ladder truck and an ALS ambulance.
The chief also noted training and post‑call maintenance work: after the Aug. 3 incident crews remained on scene and later worked until midnight washing and drying hose, cleaning and fueling vehicles, and checking equipment to maintain readiness.
There were no formal policy changes or new operational directives voted at this meeting; the remarks were presented as operational updates and training reports.
