Wright – Tallmadge Fire Department

Fire Chief : Al Brouwer
Asst. Chief : Mike Eppink
Capt. : Mike Keefe Jr. & Rick Leale
Lt. : Ron Bergman, Matt DeVos,  Jeff Lubbers

The Tallmadge Twp Fire Dept. began in 1925 and joined forces with the Wright  Twp Fire Dept. in 1944, to become the current Wright – Tallmadge Fire Department. Currently, the department has two stations, one in Marne at the Wright Twp Hall and one in Tallmadge at the Tallmadge Twp. Hall. The department has 9 trucks between the two stations : 2 Pumpers, 2 pumper/tankers, 1 tanker, 1 rescue squad, 1 heavy rescue squad, 2 brush trucks. We have 28 members on staff.  We also have a department Chaplain,  Father Bill Zink, with St. Mary’s Church in Marne. Father Bill has been a great asset to our personnel. 

In 2008, the department responded to 595 calls for service in the following categories :

Structure Fires - 21
Vehicle Fires – 8
Grass Fires – 2
Misc. Fires – 12
Medicals – 280
Rescues/Accidents – 70
Hazardous Conditions – 41
Service Calls – 29
Good Intent Calls – 121
Misc. Incidents - 11     

Primary Funding for the department is split between Wright and Tallmadge Twps. Based on the current funding formula, Wright Twp. funds 35% of the operating costs and Tallmadge Twp. funds 65%.  Equipment and maintenance costs are split 50/50.

Both twps. have a millage which is used strictly for new equipment. Primary use is for the purchase of fire vehicles. The avg. cost of a fire engine is at least $350,000.00.

The members of the Wright – Tallmadge Fire Department have formed a non-profit organization for the sole purpose of raising funds for the purchase of equipment for the department. In the past 10 years, major items purchased by the association include the following :  13 self contained breathing apparatus ($27,000), two new Jaws of Life ( $16,000), Dress uniforms for the department, SCBA Voice amplifiers, Power Point projector for training, 2 new tank/pump units for the brush trucks ( $23,000) as well as numerous smaller pieces of equipment used on medical and rescue calls.

In Nov. 2005, we took delivery of a new heavy rescue squad. This unit replaced two separate trucks, for an estimated savings of $60,000.

In Nov. 2008, we took delivery of a new pumper, that replaced a 1989 Ford pumper, cost of approx. $361,000.   In Sept. 2008, we placed an order for a second identical pumper to replace a 1991 Ford pumper for the same price. If we had waited until 2009 or later to order this truck, it would have cost us a minimum of $50-75,000 more, due to mandatory equipment and emissions requirements placed on fire trucks after Jan. 2009.

Our current ISO Insurance rating is now set at “7” for Tallmadge Twp.

CAN WE FIND YOUR HOUSE?

To assist in locating your house, you can purchase a green & white reflective address sign from the Firemen’s Assoc. Cost is currently $15.00 which includes the sign and post, as well as installation. Order Forms are available at both twp. offices and online.

BURN PERMITS

Persons may burn solid household waste from one and two family homes in an approved container, as long as it does not create a smoke or odor nuisance.

Burning permits are required by the State of Michigan for burning brush, etc.  The burning of construction materials is prohibited.

Small recreational camp fires are permitted for food preparation or recreation.
 Large “BON” fires are not permitted.

Burning permits can be obtained by calling the Fire Chief’s Office Monday thru Friday at 677-1610 or the Tallmadge Twp. Office at 677-1248.