By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Township Board learned at the June 9 regular Climax Township Board meeting that the Climax Township Fire Department received a very generous gift of a fire truck from Kalamazoo County Emergency Management.
The Climax Township Fire Department currently provides fire and medical first responder service for Wakeshma Township residents after the Wakeshma Township Board left the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA) in 2025.
The Climax Township and Wakeshma Township boards began a one year agreement for fire and medical first responder service provided by the Climax Township Fire Department April 1, 2026. In exchange, Climax Township will collect $64,778 Wakeshma Township currently receives for a 1-mill fire millage in place.
When the agreement with the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority ended, SKCFA retained ownership of any equipment that was stored or being used at Wakeshma Township.
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said because the Climax Township Fire Department is now fire and medical first responders in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County Emergency Management recognized the need to have a fire truck located at the Wakeshma Township Fire Station.
Smith said the biggest advantage for Wakeshma Township residents will be reduced response times.
Firefighters on the Climax Township Fire Department who live in or near Wakeshma Township, will be able to respond directly to the Wakeshma Township Fire Station where the fire truck will be located and respond to the scene instead of driving to the Climax Township Fire Station and then driving a fire truck all the way back to Wakeshma Township.
“It’s just that much more of an advantage when it comes to helping people down there (in Wakeshma Township),” said Smith, who said there are five firefighters on the Climax Township Fire Department who reside in or near Wakeshma Township.
The Climax Township Fire Chief said the local fire department will install its own equipment on the truck and plans to use the fire truck for medical runs mainly but the truck will be equipped for grass fires. He said the pump on the rig can pump 500 gallons a minute for drafting, allowing the fire department to use the truck as a source pumper at a draft site.
“It gives us so much more capabilities when it comes to the equipment that we can haul with it. I can add some extrication equipment. Really have something good to use all around rather then just medicals,” said Smith.
Smith said the 2009 Ford F550 Super Duty truck with 16,000 miles already has emergency lights and radios.
The Climax Township Fire Department will be responsible for maintaining the fire truck and providing insurance. Any costs associated with the fire truck will come out of the fire department budget.
The Township Board gave consensus to begin the process of claiming the free vehicle at the June 9 meeting.
Smith told the township board and audience June 9 there were eight calls for service in Wakeshma Township and 18 in Climax Township for the month of May.
The Climax Township Board learned at the June 9 regular Climax Township Board meeting that the Climax Township Fire Department received a very generous gift of a fire truck from Kalamazoo County Emergency Management.
The Climax Township Fire Department currently provides fire and medical first responder service for Wakeshma Township residents after the Wakeshma Township Board left the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA) in 2025.
The Climax Township and Wakeshma Township boards began a one year agreement for fire and medical first responder service provided by the Climax Township Fire Department April 1, 2026. In exchange, Climax Township will collect $64,778 Wakeshma Township currently receives for a 1-mill fire millage in place.
When the agreement with the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority ended, SKCFA retained ownership of any equipment that was stored or being used at Wakeshma Township.
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said because the Climax Township Fire Department is now fire and medical first responders in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County Emergency Management recognized the need to have a fire truck located at the Wakeshma Township Fire Station.
Smith said the biggest advantage for Wakeshma Township residents will be reduced response times.
Firefighters on the Climax Township Fire Department who live in or near Wakeshma Township, will be able to respond directly to the Wakeshma Township Fire Station where the fire truck will be located and respond to the scene instead of driving to the Climax Township Fire Station and then driving a fire truck all the way back to Wakeshma Township.
“It’s just that much more of an advantage when it comes to helping people down there (in Wakeshma Township),” said Smith, who said there are five firefighters on the Climax Township Fire Department who reside in or near Wakeshma Township.
The Climax Township Fire Chief said the local fire department will install its own equipment on the truck and plans to use the fire truck for medical runs mainly but the truck will be equipped for grass fires. He said the pump on the rig can pump 500 gallons a minute for drafting, allowing the fire department to use the truck as a source pumper at a draft site.
“It gives us so much more capabilities when it comes to the equipment that we can haul with it. I can add some extrication equipment. Really have something good to use all around rather then just medicals,” said Smith.
Smith said the 2009 Ford F550 Super Duty truck with 16,000 miles already has emergency lights and radios.
The Climax Township Fire Department will be responsible for maintaining the fire truck and providing insurance. Any costs associated with the fire truck will come out of the fire department budget.
The Township Board gave consensus to begin the process of claiming the free vehicle at the June 9 meeting.
Smith told the township board and audience June 9 there were eight calls for service in Wakeshma Township and 18 in Climax Township for the month of May.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
