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HOLLAND: Leaders consider raising taxes to avoid firefighter layoffs

HOLLAND – City leaders in Holland may raise the city’s tax rate up to a full mill to spare the jobs of three firefighters who are at risk of being laid off.

ALLEN PARK: City wins appeal; Won’t hire more firefighters

ALLEN PARK — A ruling issued April 6 by the state Court of Appeals reverses a decision by Wayne County Circuit Judge John Gillis ordering the city to hire more firefighters.

Grand Haven Township changes rules for firefighter fitness tests

Grand Haven Township firefighters will have to pass a more intensive physical fitness test than before and prove they’re still in shape more often.

Ann Arbor budget plan increases staffing in police, holds line on fire

City Administrator Steve Powers received a round of applause Monday night after presenting a budget plan that avoids further cuts in the police and fire departments.

Grand Rapids Fire Department honors Firefighter of the Year

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids Firefighter Daniel Overbeek, who earned the Medal of Valor in 2003 for saving a woman from drowning, was named the 2012 Firefighter of the Year.

Flint firefighters approve concessionary contract, union president vows to fight Michigan emergency manager law

FLINT, MI -- Flint firefighters have made peace with the city by approving a new concessionary contract but their union president is declaring war on the emergency manager law that he says allowed for it.

Low staff created 'near worst case scenario' for Wyoming crew battling apartment complex fire

WYOMING, MI — Fire officials in Wyoming say that when the multi-unit Bolder Ridge Apartment complex went up in flames this weekend, the staffing level they were working with made it a “near worst case scenario.

Out of the rubble: Search team trains to dig for rescue

When an explosion rocked the William C. Franks Furniture store in Wayne in December 2010, Pete Bukis remembers spending “probably in excess of 18 hours” on the scene, cutting through concrete and trying to save the lives of potential victims.

Weighing risk: Potential effects of proposed public safety cuts

Public safety spending accounts for nearly half of Holland's annual $19.6 million budget and is high on the list for cuts. City officials are considering cutting three firefighters' jobs, a clerical job and skipping an annual $75,000 deposit into the fire vehicle replacement fund.

WAYNE/WESTLAND: Cities may share chief

If plans go ahead for Westland and Wayne to share the services of Fire Chief Michael Reddy, it will likely be the start of a merger of the two fire departments.

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