Flat Rock fire chief reports 133 calls in June, seeks SAFER and fire-prevention grants

The Flat Rock Fire Department ran 133 calls for service in June, the fire chief reported to council, including 107 ambulance calls, six vehicle accidents and three water rescues. The department also reported mutual aid received twice and mutual aid given on nine occasions.

The chief said crews logged 161 hours of company training, plus additional officer, driving, hazmat, EMS and fitness training. Fire prevention preplans are about one-third updated in advance of the department’s ISO inspection scheduled for September, the chief said. The department distributed a fire-safety flyer with the summer tax bill as a public outreach measure.

On grants, the chief said the department submitted a SAFER grant to fund additional full-time firefighters for about $1,800,000 and a fire prevention and safety grant of roughly $165,000. If awarded, the prevention grant would fund cancer screenings for firefighters, cause-and-origin training, public education materials and fire code enforcement work, staff said.

The chief also noted an uptick in water rescues and urged residents to wear life jackets, stay aware of river conditions and follow water-safety guidance; staff said the city will coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions on placement of river markers to improve continuity across boundaries.

Ending: The fire department seeks federal and program grants to expand hiring and prevention work while continuing training and outreach efforts to address increased water rescues and public-safety messaging.