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About your Blendon Township Fire Department
 

Kurt Gernaat, Fire Chief
Click here to see the current roster of your public servants!

Our History

Our township first started with a shared fire department with Olive Township, which worked very well for many years.   But as each township started to grow, and as the need for better coverage on the far sides of each township arose, the township formed a committee to study the need for better coverage.  Over time, Georgetown Township, which had a station in Bauer, was asked to help cover the eastern part of Blendon. This also worked well for several years, until Georgetown informed us of their intent to build a new station further into Georgetown Township.  Although this was a long-term plan, Blendon Township knew that they needed to start planning as well.  At that time Blendon decided to build our own station at 54^th and Tyler to cover the eastern side of the township.  For the first few years it was filled with Georgetown equipment, and firefighters, from both Georgetown and Blendon.  The Georgetown firefighters trained the Blendon firefighters until they had their own new station built in Georgetown, and moved out of the Tyler St. station.  Blendon then filled the Tyler St. station with their own equipment, an Engine, a Tanker, and a Medical unit, and started the Blendon Township Fire Department.  Dave Fordon was appointed as acting Chief, until the first Chief, Ken Haveman was hired.  We still continued the merger with Olive Township for the western part of the township for several years, but as time went by, and both departments began to strengthen their own departments, the split was made.  At this time, Blendon purchased another Engine, and a Tanker, and another Medical unit to fill the Borculo station that we acquired in the split.  We have continued to put firefighters through schooling, and added a few necessary pieces of equipment over time to build a very well run Department.

Who we are now

The Blendon Township fire department consists of 36 volunteer (paid on call) firefighters, including the Chief, the Deputy Chief, 2 Captains, and 3 Lieutenants.  We respond to an average of about 200 calls each year, which has been increasing slightly over the last couple of years.  Most of our calls are medical emergencies.

At our Tyler St. station, we house the following equipment:

2121	A 1500 gallon per minute pumper purchased new in 1999 Used as a fire attack truck for all fires
2120	A 750 gallon per minute pumper that is 33 years old purchased used 1999 Used as a back-up pumper when one of the newer ones is in for service
2161	A 3000 gallon tanker purchased new in 1999 Used to shuttle water to the scene, as we have very few hydrants in Blendon
2171	A medium rescue truck that is 17 years old purchased used in 2006 Our most used truck, used for medicals, and vehicle accidents
2181	A 1986 Chevy Pick-up on loan from the DNR since 2004 Used to fight grass fires and off-road emergencies
2131	A1997 GMC Utility truck purchased used in 2005 Used to carry extra breathing air, lights, and generators to the scene
2133	A water rescue boat purchased used in 2006 Used for both open water rescues as well as ice rescues

Also housed at this station is the S.W.A.T. truck for the Ottawa County Sheriff's Dept., and a Golf cart provided by Scheper’s Lawn Sprinkling that we use for parades and other miscellaneous P.R. events.

At our Borculo station, we house the following equipment:

2122	A 1500 gallon per minute pumper purchased new in 2002 Used as a fire attack truck for all fires
2162	A 3000 gallon tanker purchased new in 2002 Used to shuttle water to the scene, as we have very few hydrants in Blendon
2172	A 1994 AMR ambulance purchased used in 2002 Used primarily for medical emergencies
2182	A 1985 GMC Pick-up on loan from the DNR since 2005 Used to fight grass fires and off-road emergencies

Also housed at this station is a Generator / Light tower owned by the Ottawa County Chiefs Assoc. that can be used for any emergency where we or any other Ottawa County Fire Dept. may need lighting or a large generator.
 

What are our plans?

We as the Blendon township fire department are very content with the equipment that we now have, however, in order to keep our residents safe, and keep property losses to a minimum, we need to replace equipment as it ages.  As I said, we are not looking to add any equipment, just replace existing equipment as it ages.  In the fire service we are required to test our pumpers annually.  They must be able to maintain a minimum pressure for a specified amount of time to meet National standards.  As a pump ages, it becomes harder to achieve this.   Typically your first out pumpers need to be no older than 15 years old, which means that we are okay for about 6 more years.  However the cost of a new pumper can run between $500,000 & $800,000, so in order to be prepared we need to budget for this, which we have been doing. 

We currently operate under 2 millages, an operating millage of a .5 mill and an equipment millage of 1 mill.   The operations millage is just that, it is what we use to operate your fire department.  This millage will only cover about 45% of our operating expenses according to our proposed 2008/2009 budget.  The remaining monies come from the township general fund.  The equipment millage is what we use to replace existing worn out equipment, and to put monies aside for future purchase. We have put together a rough 20 year plan to keep equipment up to date, and to maintain federal standards, and this millage should be adequate to cover our needs.  We are not looking for more money, but we will need to renew the current millages.

How can you help?

Both of our millages are due to be renewed this coming August.  We will not be asking for any more than what you are already giving as a township resident, but to continue to run your fire department we need these millages to be renewed.  We have been able to reduce our budget every year for the last 5 years, and our 2008 / 2009 budget is down roughly 6% from the previous year’s budget.   We are now running at a lower cost per township resident, than what we were when we were a merged department.  You have newer equipment and stations closer to your home, which in return means better protection to you and your family.  Please support your firefighters by getting out and voting in the August 5 primary, to renew your fire department millages.   If you have any questions please call and ask.  The Fire Department’s number is 875-7707 ext. 26.