Fire & Ambulance Department

The Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority operates four fire stations in three townships surrounding the City of Traverse City. Two of those fire stations are located in East Bay Township. There are currently eight full time suppression personnel within the Metro Fire Department. These full time firefighters are spread out among all three townships and are supplemented by paid per call firefighters.  Station 9, located on High Lake Road, houses an Engine, Tanker, Water Supply Truck, and a Wildfire truck. Station 1, located on Three Mile Road in the Meadowland Industrial Park, houses an Engine, 75' Aerial Ladder Truck, Heavy Rescue, Tanker, and an Air Support vehicle. Station 9 also houses an ATV vehicle, two snowmobiles, and a boat.

 

East Bay Township EMS also operates out of Station 9. East Bay Township EMS has one full time Paramedic / FF and one full time EMT / FF operating two Basic Life Support ambulances. East Bay Township EMS staff is also supplemented by paid per call EMS personnel.

 

Greetings East Bay Township Residents,

               

As we enter the summer season, I would like to remind all East Bay Township residents that open burning is NOT allowed in our township. Burning permits are not issued in our township due to EPA regulations. The EPA's air quality initiative states that open burning is not allowed in any township with a population greater than 7,500, such as ours. Open burning consists of burning brush, leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste. Recreational camp fires (logs) are allowed, as long as there aren't any current burning restrictions. Please use common sense, and do not burn during times of dry and/or windy weather conditions.

We are working hard to bring our professionalism and service up to the next level. As our call volume continues to steadily increase, we must grow with it. We added two additional full time Station Captains and two additional full time firefighters in January 2009. All four of our fire stations now have full time Captains. Station # 1 on Three Mile Rd. in East Bay Township and Station # 11 on Veterans Drive in Garfield Township are staffed 24/7. Station # 8 in Acme Township and Station # 9 in East Bay Township are staffed 40+ hours a week by fire personnel. In addition to increasing our staffing levels, we are also working to bring our medical response level up from Medical First Responder to the Basic Life Support level. This will enable our Fire Engines and Squads to be equipped with more life saving equipment. Finally, our department has added a new Public Fire and Life Safety educator which will greatly increase our outreach to the public. Meredith Hawes was hired this spring and has been doing an excellent job creating many new public education programs for all ages!

In closing I would like to remind everyone again of our department's open door philosophy. If you have any questions about our department, would like your blood pressure checked, or just want to stop by and see your fire station, please feel free to do so! Thank you for your continued support.

 

Regards,

Capt. Tony Posey

Grand Traverse Metro Fire

 

Grand Traverse Metro firefighter John Ehardt from Station # 9 on High Lake Road removes a door using the Jaws of Life during extrication training. (Also pictured Lt. Jeff Carpenter, FF Kyle Clute, and FF Doug Carver)

Grand Traverse Metro Fire Captain Tony Posey demonstrates an extrication technique known as a "Dash Lift" during training. (Also pictured Lt. Jeff Carpenter and FF Andy Doornbos)

Grand Traverse Metro firefighter Sara Posey raises a ladder up to the roof during training while Lt. Jeremy Metcalf assists. (Also pictured FF Kyle Clute)

Grand Traverse Metro Fire Lieutenant Jeff Carpenter (top) and Firefighter John Ehardt (bottom) practice ladder drills on our 75' ladder truck during a training exercise.