By Eddie L. Robinson
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) has taken a groundbreaking step forward in enhancing emergency medical response by officially launching EMS Station 30, a paramedic-only station that marks a new era in integrated, fire-based EMS service delivery.
Located strategically in one of the county’s high-demand zones, Station 30 is the first of its kind in Cherokee County—a unit staffed entirely by certified paramedics who are not cross-trained as firefighters. This model, common in larger metro areas, brings new flexibility to a growing and increasingly complex public safety system.
“This is more than just another station,” said Operations Chief Kevin Lainer. “It’s a symbol of evolution—of how we adapt to better serve our citizens while strengthening the professional lives of our personnel.”
A New Operational Model
Station 30 will be staffed 24/7 by a team of two paramedics and one Medical Control Officer (MCO) working a 24/48 shift rotation. This consistent staffing model ensures advanced life support (ALS) care is available around the clock while allowing for continuity and operational stability within the team.
The ambulance assigned to this station will be designated Med-30, and it will not only respond to traditional EMS calls but also be dispatched to fire emergencies. This dual-role deployment is a vital enhancement to scene safety and emergency care during critical incidents.
“Med-30 gives us the ability to have dedicated, advanced medical support immediately available at structure fires and other high-risk scenes,” said medical Operations Officer Chad Huff. “That can make all the difference for both the public and our firefighters.”
When citizens are rescued from burning buildings, time is everything. Having advanced life support on-scene means those individuals will receive rapid, advanced medical intervention for smoke inhalation, burns, and traumatic injuries—care that can directly improve survival and recovery outcomes.
Likewise, firefighter health and safety stand to benefit significantly. In the event a firefighter suffers from heat exhaustion, smoke exposure, or injury while working in hazardous conditions, our med units provide immediate, dedicated medical support on the fireground without diverting resources from other areas of the county.
In addition to daily EMS operations, Station 30 personnel will cross-staff the department’s Mass Casualty Unit (MCU)—a specialized resource ready to deploy during major incidents involving large numbers of patients, such as multi-vehicle accidents, public events, or disasters.
Furthermore, Station 30 will house the department’s Medical Operations Officer, placing direct clinical leadership on-site to guide care standards, mentor field personnel, and support EMS operations countywide.
“By housing our Medical Operations Officer at Station 30, we’re embedding real-time clinical leadership into daily field operations,” said EMS Chief Chad Davis. “It enhances our ability to train, support, and oversee care from the ground level.”
Welcoming New Professionals Into the Fire Service
By adding a paramedic-only station, CCFES expands its workforce model, inviting professionals from private EMS backgrounds to join the department in a meaningful capacity. These paramedics will wear the CCFES patch, train alongside fire crews, and operate under the same mission and values—creating a stronger, more diverse, and more sustainable team.
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Posted: Sep 12, 2025
Jackie Martin – The News Herald, Southgate, Mich.
Fire broke out at a recycling center in Huron Township that was so intense the department called for its newly-received ladder truck to battle the blaze aerially.
The fire department was called at 2:44 p.m. on Sept. 9 to G.F.L. Recycle Center, 36543 South Huron.
According to Everette Robbins, director of public safety, the department arrived on the scene to begin battling the fire in less than 1 minute.
Firefighters working to put out a fire at G.F.L. Recycle are covered in smoke as they put water on the fire from an aerial truck. The blaze broke out at 2:44 p.m. (Photo courtesy of the Huron Township Police Department)
As with all structure fires within Huron Township, Auto-aid was enacted to immediately request the assistance of area fire departments.
Firefighters representing the Woodhaven, Flat Rock, Rockwood, and Gibraltar fire departments also responded and battled the residential structure fire for several hours side by side with firefighters from Huron Township.
Huron Valley Ambulance stationed a rig and paramedics at the scene of the fire as a precautionary measure to protect both employees and first responders.
Within a few hours, a fire at G.F.L. Recycle was contained and didn’t spread to the entire facility. It took the Huron Township Fire Department about one minute to arrive after receiving the emergency call. (Photo courtesy of the Huron Township Police Department)
When the fire began to escalate, the decision was made by the on-scene fire command to battle the blaze from the air.
For the first time, the recently received ladder fire truck was utilized.
Robbins said the fire was extinguished without major damage to the rest of the structure and without injury or loss of life.
The initial investigation into the fire supports that the fire was accidental.
“We are so thankful for the auto-aid agreement and appreciate all the firefighters from area agencies that responded to battle this potentially dangerous fire,” Robbins said in a statement. “The Huron Township Fire Department, based on the support of our residents, recently took delivery of our new ladder truck. We look forward to having another tool that enhances the way we can deliver time-critical fire services. The video in this media release is the very first time the truck was able to put water on an in-progress fire from an aerial position. I thought it was important to share that moment with our community.”
© 2025 The News Herald, Southgate, Mich.. Visit www.thenewsherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The post Five FDs, New Aerial Truck Called in to Battle MI Recycle Center Fire appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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Posted: Sep 12, 2025
A train struck a Moline (IL) Fire Department apparatus that was positioned near the tracks while battling a fire to an outside container at an industrial building Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, the department said in a press release.
The fire truck sustained damage, but no firefighters were injured. The rig was placed back in service after evaluation.
The fire department responded to a report of an outside industrial dust collector on fire at Williams, White & Company. The first engine company arrived to find a large metal industrial container with heavy smoke showing. The container was positioned at the rear of the industrial building, near the alley and in close proximity to nearby railroad tracks.
Fire crews worked on scene to contain the fire, using saws to open the metal container and allow water to reach the seat of the fire. The fire was brought under control and mostly contained within 45-50 minutes.
No evacuation of the business was necessary, and no injuries to workers or firefighters were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The post Train Strikes FD Apparatus While Crews Battle Fire at Industrial Building appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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