Thursday, April 11, 2013
Rules enacted in October that set limits on burning and require residents to apply for a permit have had "no negative downsides," Kevin Sullivan says.
A new ordinance that allows backyard fires in Ferndale has had "no negative downsides," Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said Thursday. The Ferndale City Council approved the open burning ordinance in October that allows for backyard fires, which had been illegal, as long as residents get a permit and follow certain guidelines. "It's going very well," said Sullivan, who expects an increase in permit applications as the weather warms. "There have been no negative downsides as of yet." [Are you happy with the new ordinance? Leave a comment to tell us why or why not!] Sullivan said he believes the new ordinance provides a safe and legal way for residents to enjoy backyard fires and provides more control and enforceability. “People are still burning…
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
A third city budget hearing is scheduled April 16 after the meeting Monday night at City Hall ran behind schedule.
The Ferndale Fire Department's presentation to City Council regarding potential firefighter layoffs has been delayed until April 16. A 5:30 p.m. budget hearing Monday at City Hall ran behind schedule, prompting officials to set up a third city budget hearing April 16 to address agenda items that weren't discussed before the regular City Council meeting began at 7:30 p.m. Ferndale officials hope to avoid laying off firefighters as they budget for fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15. A larger-than-expected decline in taxable values, paired with the expiration of a grant that has funded four firefighter positions for the past two years, has forced the city to consider the Fire Department cuts. Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said Tuesday that on April…
Friday, April 5, 2013
Budget presented to council this week reflects a deficit of $956,000 for fiscal year 2013-14 and $2 million for 2014-15.
Ferndale officials are hoping to avoid laying off firefighters as the city moves forward with budgeting for fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15. The city prepared a budget using an expected decline in taxable values of one percent, but final numbers from the county released March 20 show a total revenue decline of six percent in taxable value. City staff also updated projections for fiscal year 2014-15 to reflect a three percent loss rather than the potential for an increase. Because of the changes, the budget presented to council this week had a deficit of $956,000 for fiscal year 2014 and $2 million for 2015. The Ferndale Fire Department could be one of the areas affected, as a grant has paid for four of the city's firefighters for the past…
Saturday, October 27, 2012
T-shirts are still available for purchase at Ferndale City Hall and at both Ferndale fire stations while supplies last.
Ferndale firefighters have raised more than $1,400 so far as part of their breast cancer awareness campaign. Firefighters and city staff have been wearing pink t-shirts while on duty this month to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money to help find a cure. They've been selling the same style t-shirts for $20 each, with all funds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It's part of a national effort by the International Association of Fire Fighters, said Gary McMenamin, community relations chair for the Ferndale Firefighters Local 812. He told Ferndale City Council members at their meeting on Monday that he was proud of the support the community has shown for the effort. "The support has been phenomenal," he said, noting that they …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Find out how local firefighters are raising awareness of breast cancer, and how you can help.
Ferndale firefighters are wearing pink this month to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money to help find a cure. Since Monday, the city's firefighters and fire department staff have been wearing pink t-shirts while on duty and will continue to wear the shirts through Oct. 22 to promote breast cancer awareness. They are also selling the same shirt for $20 each, with all funds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It's part of a national effort by the International Association of Fire Fighters, said Gary McMenamin, community relations chair for the Ferndale Firefighters Local 812. McMenamin told Ferndale City Council members on Monday that the IAFF has adopted the cause as one of the charities "that means something very close to …
Friday, July 27, 2012
No one was hurt in the blaze, which occurred at a manufacturing processing plant on Northend.
The Ferndale Fire Department responded to a garage fire at a manufacturing processing plant in Oak Park on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred at a facility on Northend, a border street between Royal Oak Township and Oak Park. Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said the department received calls from area residents reporting the smoke. "We got the call at the same time," he said. Oak Park firefighters were on the scene with more trucks on the way when Ferndale firefighters arrived. "Our crew aided them in their firefight," Sullivan said. No one was hurt in the blaze, he said. The estimated damage was not available. The fire started on a garage roof, where a crew had been working on a repair at the time, Sullivan said. Ferndale …
Friday, July 6, 2012
"Had we still been dry I think we would've had multiple fires," Fire Marshal Brian Batten said of July 4. "Nothing stayed in anybody's yard."
There were no fireworks-related blazes in the city of Ferndale on July 4, and Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten says the wet weather might be to thank. Though the rain and thunderstorms didn't seem to stop residents from using fireworks, the moisture may have prevented some fires, he said. "Had we still been dry I think we would've had multiple fires. Nothing stayed in anybody's yard," Batten said, noting that he observed some residents near the fire station letting off multiple fireworks that left the resident's yard and went "clear across the street." This was a concern for fire department officials leading up to the holiday, as a new state law allows larger fireworks to be sold and used in the state. "The wet weather kind of helped …
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Fire Department's newly-formed CERT team has helped respond to downed wires and other storm damage. Also, safety tips from Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten.
Members of Ferndale's new Community Emergency Response Team - or CERT - put their skills to work on Wednesday night for the first time since the team was formed as they responded to the severe thunderstorms that knocked down wires and left thousands in the area without power. The CERT team has been training for the past several months to be prepared to assist in events like storms, downed wires or even large community events where extra emergency personnel is needed. Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten activated the team late Wednesday, as Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan was out of town. "It's the first time the CERT team has been activated," Batten said. "Four people came in last night and we were able to open up the Kulick Center as a cooling …
Monday, July 2, 2012
Residents can legally use fireworks July 3-5, but even small fireworks carry serious risks, fire officials say.
The nightly sound of fireworks whistling and popping is a sure sign that it's almost the Fourth of July - but fire officials in Ferndale are warning residents that fireworks are not only illegal to use except for a limited number of days but that they can also be very dangerous. As part of a new state law that allows consumers to buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, municipalities cannot regulate fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after. Legislators passed the change, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed last Dec. 13, to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Sellers pay $1,000 annually for a permanent site or $600 for a tent or other seasonal, outdoor location. Earlier this …
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
No one was hurt in the blaze, which is still under investigation, Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said.
The Ferndale Fire Department responded to a house fire on Withington Street on Wednesday morning that left the homeowner with up to $5,000 in damage. No one was hurt in the fire, which is still under investigation, Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said. It appears to have been an accidental electrical fire originating at the oven, he said. "The person had put something to cook into the oven and went to take a shower," Sullivan said. Afterward, he noticed smoke and found the kitchen was on fire. The homeowners are out of town and the person in the home was house-sitting at the time. Sullivan said the cause may have been faulty wiring or a short and doesn't appear to be the result of anything the resident did. He suggests homeowners have an …
Cheryl Maday
1:50 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
My only fear is during the fall dry season with leaves & ambers. And also proper extinguishing fire when enjoying fire is done too many times folks have left fires to burn out on them selves causing smoldering smoke. I have awaken to a smoke smelled yard and home due to improper extinguishing many times. If people crack down in these areas I have no problem with new city ordinance & back yard … more ›