Please join us in welcoming Firefighter Dillan Romstadt as he begins his first day with Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority! Today marks the beginning of Dillan's career with GTMESA as he joins Red Shift. Like every firefighter, his first day is filled with introductions, learning new equipment, getting to know his crew, and beginning the process of becoming part of the team. Dillan brings a diverse public safety background, including service as a firefighter with Alpena Township Fire Department, an EMT with Oscoda County EMS, and an auxiliary firefighter with Alpena City Fire Department. Prior to entering the fire service, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed the discipline, resilience, and commitment to teamwork that continue to serve him well today. He also has experience in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff. Dillan holds Firefighter I & II, Hazardous Materials Operations, EMT, and Basic Life Support certifications. These photos capture just a few early moments from Day One. From meeting the apparatus he'll help care for, to learning alongside experienced members of Red Shift, to settling into life at the station. Every firefighter's career tells a story, and we're excited to be part of Dillan's journey. Welcome to the GTMESA team, Dillan! We look forward to watching your career grow as you serve the residents and visitors of our communities.
We have some exciting news! Chief Mackin, AC Posey, Capt. Meek (Fleet Maintenance), and Lt. Clute (Apparatus Committee) traveled to Appleton, WI to complete the acceptance testing and final inspection on our new Pierce Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder at the Pierce facility. This truck is replacing a 2007 Pierce Arrow XT 75’ aerial ladder, which will be retired. We are thankful to the Metro Fire Board and the citizens of our three townships for their support and engagement in bringing this much needed piece of apparatus to life. This new apparatus will serve our community well for years to come. The new Truck 1 will arrive at our department in mid-July and should be in service by the end of the month.
Please join us in welcoming Firefighter Nick Allen on his first day as a full-time firefighter with Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority! Many of you already know Nick through his service as a part-time firefighter with GTMESA. Today, he officially begins his career as a full-time firefighter on Blue Shift. Prior to entering the fire service, Nick built a successful career in advertising and creative leadership, managing teams and complex projects in fast-paced environments. He later pursued his passion for public service, earning his EMT-B license along with Firefighter I & II and Hazardous Materials Operations certifications through the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center, where he was selected by his peers as class leader. These photos were captured as Nick was heading out on one of his first calls as a full-time firefighter. A fitting start to this exciting new chapter, is it not? Congratulations, Nick! We are proud to have you on the GTMESA team and look forward to the contributions you'll make as you continue serving our communities. Welcome to Blue Shift!
Hot weather can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Stay safe by: 💧Drinking plenty of water 🧢 Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing 🌳 Taking breaks in the shade or air conditioning 🚶 Limiting strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) 👵 Checking on older adults, young children, and neighbors 🚗 Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. ⚠️ If someone becomes confused, faints, or has a high body temperature, call 911 immediately—it could be heat stroke. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe!
Do you have this smoke alarm in your home? 🚨 Treatlife Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms, sold exclusively on Amazon, have been recalled because they may fail to alert you to a fire. If you purchased one between November 2025 and April 2026, check the back for the FCC ID “2ANDL-XR3” and manufacture date “2023.DEC.02”. If you have one, replace it as soon as possible and contact the manufacturer for a refund, and see the full details in the comments section below. Working smoke alarms save lives — test your alarms monthly and make sure your home is protected. 🔥🏠 #gtmetro #homesafety #smokealarmrecall
What does it take to become a Grand Traverse Metro firefighter? More than earning a certification. Every firefighter who joins Grand Traverse Metro arrives with Firefighter I/II certification and Hazardous Materials Operations training. They've already completed fire school. They've already put in the work. However, learning to be a firefighter and learning to be a Metro firefighter are two different things. Each year, Grand Traverse Metro invests approximately 10,000 hours in firefighter training. As medical practices evolve, vehicle technology changes, building construction advances, and firefighting techniques continue to improve, continuous training ensures we're prepared to serve our community safely and effectively. Over the past week (ish), our newest firefighters have been immersed in the Metro way of doing things. From the classroom to the training ground, they learned our three-township response area, apparatus placement, emergency vehicle operations, aerial operations, ground ladders, search and rescue, confined space operations, vehicle extrication, forcible entry, fire protection systems, fire scene preservation, medical skills, and much more. The photos below capture just a few moments from a very busy week. While orientation may last only seven days, the learning never stops. Every member of our department continues training throughout the year so that when someone in Acme Township, East Bay Township, or Garfield Township calls 911, they're met by firefighters who are prepared, practiced, and ready to serve. A sincere thank you to the officers and firefighters who invested their time this week to teach, mentor, challenge, and encourage our newest team members. Your commitment to passing along your knowledge is one of the greatest strengths of this department. Welcome to Metro, gentlemen. We're glad you're here.
We're counting down the days to Fire Prevention Week, and we're excited to be sharing more tips and awareness on lithium-ion battery safety! How do you stay safe with your electronics at home? Let us know in the comments below! 🔽 #FirePreventionWeek #firesafety #lithiumbattery #gtmetrofire #NFPA #sparky
