Alpena Township Fire Department working out staffing shortage

ALPENA- Mich. – A staff shortage at the Alpena Township Fire Department may cause the department to temporality close its Southside station by months end. The news comes after the Alpena Municipal Council voted last week to stop negotiations on merging the city and township fire departments.

According to the fire department there will only be two full–time employees, which would not be enough to man the south station on US 23.
Alpena Township Fire Chief David Robbins said he wants to make sure the community is aware they will be safe in spite of the staffing issues.

“In the event of an emergency medical services call that station is approximately a mile from the city station and the city is automatically toned out as they have the contract for the county for ALS,” said Robbins.

Chief Robbins said he wants residents to know that he and the township are doing the best they can to get their staffing numbers back up as soon as possible.
the township board plans to meet December 28th at 6 p.m. to discuss more solutions.