The month of April definitely kept the Lowell Area Fire Department busy. The team responded to 83 incidents in the 30 day month.
Those broke down as follows:
- City of Lowell: 30
- Lowell Township: 42
- Vergennes Township: 10
Plus, there was one mutual aid assist to the Saranac Fire Department on a structure fire.
The department has responded to 390 calls in 2023, which is up 65 calls through April 2022.
Of the April calls, 62 were in response to medical concerns, two were vehicle accidents and the rest ranged from a structure fire, a lock out of a vehicle, an illegal burn and a lightning strike. The lightning strike led to smokey conditions and, fortunately, did not result in any serious injuries.
The fire department’s many monthly trainings covered the topics of field burns, fire control and a live fire training incident with Cascade Fire and Thornapple Kellogg Fire at the T.K. Training Center. The April trainings totaled more than 470 man hours.
The Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors at the funeral of Hastings Fire Chief Roger Caris.
Chief Witherell, Deputy Chief Velzen and Battalion Chief Donahue attend the annual F.D.I.C. Conference in Indianapolis and were presented the opportunity to serve as Safety Officers during trainings for fire departments all across the country.
The Lowell Area Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the board that oversees the Fire Chief, equipment and the budget, meets on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 7pm at the fire station and all are welcome!
Bless you, Lowell fire fighters, who put your lives on the line for the lives of others.