(GRAND BLANC, Mich.) — Now that the city has launched its own fire services, training is underway for 14 of the Grand Blanc Fire Department’s 30 on-call volunteer firefighters.
The 20-week Fire Academy kicked off on Saturday and trainees will receive 200 hours of both lectures and practical instruction. On December 21 and 22, the group will take the state’s written and practical exams.
“We go over several topics — anything you can imagine — from tying knots to hazardous materials; there’s 29 different chapters,” explained Gary Bacon, who is leading the academy. Bacon has been an instructor for the State of Michigan since 1988 and has trained hundreds of firefighters across the state.
The balance of the department’s staff previously completed training and is certified.
Also, the City of Grand Blanc was recently awarded a $2,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation. The funds will pay for firefighting turnout gear. The city previously won grants for two gas detectors, and for self-contained breathing apparatuses.
Grand Blanc took over local firefighting services from the township on July 24. Residents will have a chance to get a closer look at the city’s newly formed fire department on Saturday, August 17, 2019, when an open house is held at Station #1, 117 High Street, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
