Fort Gratiot Fire Department seeks to expand department staff

Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald
A candidate for a job at the For Gratiot Fire Department undergoes the "escape test" on May 22, 2024. He has to follow a hose out of a building while blindfolded, as a firefighter might have to do while blinded by smoke.
A candidate for a job at the For Gratiot Fire Department undergoes the "escape test" on May 22, 2024. He has to follow a hose out of a building while blindfolded, as a firefighter might have to do while blinded by smoke.

Prospective firefighters climbed ladders, dragged hoses and crawled blindly around furniture as they were each tested for a job opening at the Fort Gratiot Fire Department Wednesday.

Though only one job was immediately open, Fort Gratiot Fire Chief Michael Fronimos said the applicants will also be considered for six full-time positions he hopes to add in the near future.

Fronimos said he hopes to significantly expand the fire department staff so that the department can have six firefighters on duty at any given time, up from the departments current standard of two. That expansion is contingent on a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency meant to help fire departments meet staffing standards set by the National Fire Protection Association.

"We're pushing 2,000 runs per year," Fronimos said. "That's hard to do with just two people on call."

Fronimos said he expects the call volume to increase as he plans for the department to respond to more medical calls following recent changes in how St. Clair County fire departments coordinate with Tri-Hospital EMS.

On Wednesday, 14 applicants took a written examination and interview before undergoing an examination of their physical abilities.

The abilities exam had the applicants performing tasks commonly performed by firefighters, such as climbing a fire truck ladder to see how quickly they could make their way up their, or having to follow hose out of a building while blindfolded to simulate escaping a burning building when smoke may reduce visibility.

A candidate applying at the Fort Gratiot Fire Department climbs a ladder truck on May 22, 2024.
A candidate applying at the Fort Gratiot Fire Department climbs a ladder truck on May 22, 2024.

Fronimos said the candidates aren't necessarily graded as passing or failing. Instead, the department identifies their strengths and weaknesses to note where they can improve.

Each candidate has to have their firefighter I and II certification to be eligible for the job and have EMT training.

One of the applicants, Annmarie Hayden, has undergone EMT training, but still needs to complete her firefighter training. She's not eligible for the one job opening immediately available at the fire department as a result, but Fronimos encouraged her to apply to be considered for the six other positions he hopes to add.

Hayden felt confident in her performance in the abilities exam, citing her previous experience in the U.S. Marine Corp.

Annmarie Hayden drags a hose across a parking lot during an abilities exam on May 22, 2024. Hayden said her prior experience in the U.S. Marine Corp helped her prepare for the physical demands of the job.
Annmarie Hayden drags a hose across a parking lot during an abilities exam on May 22, 2024. Hayden said her prior experience in the U.S. Marine Corp helped her prepare for the physical demands of the job.

"My father was an EMT and I knew I wanted to be some sort of first responder," Hayden said.

Should the grant come through, Fronimos said he hopes the new hires will allow the department to improve the work/life balance for each firefighter by spreading to workload.

"If we have to wait, that means our taxpayers have to wait," Fronimos said.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Fort Gratiot Fire Department seeks to expand department staff

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