The Saginaw County Fire Association met February 19, 1958 at the Freeland Community Hall to complete organization and adoption of the constitution of said association. The meeting was called to order by Temporary Chairman William Kraatz. Temporary Secretary/Treasurer Clifton Reavy read the minutes of the original meeting at Buena Vista Township Hall. Roll call of the trustees was held and said trustees were duty sworn into office by temporary Secretary/Treasurer Clifton Reavy. They were as follows:
SCFA CHARTER TRUSTEES
- Birch Run (Dale Hadsall)
- Spaulding (Floyd Lemer)
- Bridgeport (Elmer Staler)
- Zilwaukee (Cy Sutton)
- Buena Vista (William Kraatz)
- St. Charles (Richard Brown)
- Frankenmuth (Chester Zeilinger)
- Saginaw City (Russ Braman)
- Cheasaning (Fordney Valkmer)
- Hemlock (Willis Wheatley)
- Tittabawassee (John Bailey)
- Saginaw Twp. (Ray Gifford)
- Merrill (Norman Miller)
The Executive Committee elected officers were as follows:
SCFA CHARTER ELECTED OFFICERS
- Chairman (William Kraatz)
- Vice-Chairman (Fordney Valkmer)
- Secretary/Treasurer (John Bailey)
- Publicity Chairman (Cy Sutton)
On March 15, 1958, Article 3, Section C, was amended as follows: "The Commander of any State Police Post located within the county, the Sheriff of Saginaw County, the Director of Civilian Defense of Saginaw County, The Director of Civilian Defense of Saginaw City, the Chief of Police of Saginaw City, the Chief of Fire Prevention of the Conservation Department, shall be associate members of this association without payment or liability for dues.
At this meeting Chief Russell Braman of Saginaw City invited the executive board to hold it’s regular meeting at Central Fire Station. The committee accepted. Mr. Cy Sutton moved that regular meetings be held in alphabetical order. It was decided to have two meetings at this time. The first meeting would be with the Executive Board and the Delegates. It would be held 30 minutes prior to the regular meeting.
On March 11, 1959, the SCFA decided to follow suit with the Saginaw City Fire Department on handicapped stickers. They would purchase two stickers, one large and one small. The large sticker would go on the front door and the smaller sticker would go on the window of the bedroom where the person slept.
On May 6, 1959, Blumfield joined the association. Previously they were covered by Reese.
During this time, communications were limited to police radios. Cliff Reavey of Freeland reported that within two years, all police radios would be for police work only. He moved that a committee be appointed on the cost, practicability etc. on a radio station for our own association. The cost would be no more than $3,995.15. On April 6, 1960, J. Elliot, Cy Sutton, and two men from Buena Vista will make a trip to Lansing. They will make an appeal to the Radio Frequency Board for an allocation of a fire frequency to be used by the SCFA. Buena Vista already had a frequency but the SCFA wanted their own. On November 11, 1960, James Elliot gave the SCFA his radio report. Buena Vista approved the use of their frequency. The Equipment has been ordered for the change over. On August 2, 1961, the SCFA received their radio license for the frequency 154.250 MHz. The call letters will be KBG934 for the main radio and KBG933 for the base radio at Albee. The license was issued to the County of Saginaw.
On October 1, 1961, three members of the Carrollton Fire Department attended the board meeting. The City of Saginaw had covered them previously and they were forming their own department.
On August 15, 1962, Chairman Town passed out the new Mutual Aid Agreement to be signed by the individual township boards.
On March 11,1970, Color-codes for fire equipment were issued to some departments. Because of mutual aid, it would be easier to separate all of the equipment on the fire ground if each department had their own colors. Some of the colors were: Albee-orange, Blumfield-yellow/black, Bridgeport-blue, Carrollton-green/white, Chesaning-red, James-black cross, Jonesfield, Lakefield-black/red, Saginaw Twp.-orange/blue, Thomas-white cross, Tittabawassee-yellow, Tri Twp.-purple, Zilwaukee-red/black, Birch Run-grey, Frankenmuth-green and Spaulding-brown.
On August 11, 1971, it was brought up on the floor about mandatory training for firefighters. The Fire Fighters Training Council had suggested 66 hours for volunteers and 240 for full time firefighters. This is not mandatory, only advisable. It was questioned about why there weren’t more volunteer firefighters on the training council.
On January 12, 1972, a motion was made and supported that we make an amendment to the by-laws to allow us to make retired firefighters eligible for honoree membership to the SCFA.
On January of 1974, a new shoulder patch of two different designs was on display for the firefighters to view. The patches are 20 cents each and have Saginaw County Fire Association sewn on them.
On November 6, 1974, Kochville joined the association.
On February 11, 1976, A LETTER TO THE EDITOR was posted in the minutes. The letter said: Mr. Don Garvey, Saginaw County Fire Association. It is certainly most comforting to know that we have such a commendable association as yours giving mutual aid to the whole county in fire protection. Our Tri-Township Fire Department did a super job on the boat works fire last Monday and much of the credit is due to the immediate assistance they received from the other units that responded to their call. We salute all the dedicated men that make up these departments. Sincerely: Robert Grnak Executive Secretary St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce.
The SCFA also maintained a film library. It was stored at the Buena Vista Fire Department under the charge of Deward Beehler. In 1976, they wanted to take the films from Buena Vista and store them at the Bridgeport Spaulding Junior High School. At this time the SCFA would view the movie B.L.E.V.E., boiling liquid, expanding vapor, explosions, with the intent of purchasing it for $295.00. The films remained at Buena Vista.
On July 14, 1976, Chief Adams of Albee Township spoke concerning the Antique Muster at the Saginaw County Fair Grounds. It would be held on August 21. Mike says this is going to be a big show with over 30 units. It is going to be a fireman’s field of sports. Everything for $1:00 donation.
Up until now we had a Fire Prevention Committee. Because of lack of participation, it would be disbanded by a unanimous vote of 17 to 0.
On October 13, 1976, a guest speaker, Howard Hoban, spoke on the proposed MEMORIAL TO FIREFIGHTERS, to be build near the Department Of Natural Resources Fire Experimental Station At Roscommon. We were to develop fund raising ideas for our county.
In April of 1977, NEWS AND VIEWS, was started. This was a letter that would be sent to the delegates along with the minutes of the Association. Everyone was asked to participate in the paper. If you have any new officers, firefighters, equipment, unusual fires, things to sell or things to buy, use your News and Views paper.
On July 12, 1978, Chairman Garvey gave his report on the Michigan State Firefighters Association State Conference held in Port Huron. A JOB WELL DONE went to Saginaw County for the most amount given by any county association in the state for the Firefighters Memorial.
In April of 1981, Marty Dumont asked that we consider raising the $1.50 fee for the meal to $2.00 to help cover the cost. Motion was passed.
On June 10, 1981, Chief Rich Rehman introduced Terry Klick, New chief from the new Marion Township Fire Department. Motion was made and supported to accept Marion as members of the association minus the mutual aid pact until they can meet the requirements of a pumper and a tanker.
In August of 1986, the Saginaw County Fire Association was introduced to Confined Space Entry and Rescue. Saginaw Division was putting on the training.
In September of 1987, Joe Zazo, from Consumers Power Company announced that he was retiring. He introduced his new replacement delegate, Don Baier.
On May 1989, inflation kept going up and the meal price was increased from $2.00 to $3.00.
In September of 1990, a new smoke machine was ordered with the cost being picked up by Saginaw Division. The new machine arrived in November. It could be used by all departments.
In January of 1991, Judge Kyle Higgs Tarrant swore in the new incoming officers. This is a practice that still goes on today with the same Judge.
In October of 1993, inflation kept going up and the meal price was increased from $3.00 to $4.00.
In June of 1994, Bill LaClair has retired from the Saginaw County Sheriff Department. Chesaning made a motion to have a plaque made honoring him for all his help as a fire dispatcher for Saginaw County. He did a great job for many many years.
In November of 1995, Sheriff McIntyre said the new 800-Megahertz system will be turned on for the November 6th local trainings and then will go on line November 13.
In March of 1997, a review was conducted of the proposed water tender task force policy issued by the Saginaw County Fire Chiefs. Any corrections would be forwarded to Saginaw Township Fire Department.
In January of 1999, the combined energies of Thomas and Saginaw Township Fire departments have created a high angle, confined space, rescue team. They have a trailer loaded with the equipment they need to operate. The two departments also have a thermal imaging camera. All can be used with mutual aid.
In November of 1999, it was reported that the smoke trailer was done. Special thanks went to Mike Babion for painting it.
In February of 2000, it was looked into having an Honor Guard in Saginaw County. It would cost about $400.00 to outfit each member. The uniform would be a Saginaw County Fire Association Uniform. It was dropped at a later date because of the cost.
In February of 2003, it was decided to eliminate mailing of the minutes of the SCFA. and send them by E-mail instead. Each department or delegate was to give the secretary their E-mail address.
In August of 2003, a new history book was mentioned. It would be patterned after the one that was published in 1968. In it would be each fire department of Saginaw County. Each department would get 3 pages to put in pictures of their firefighters, fire equipment, fire stations, and a brief history of the department. If a department had more than one station, they were allotted 2 more pages per station. The Saginaw County Fire Association would pay for the book and each member of each department would get a copy.
The Saginaw County Fire Association Board of 2004 would like to thank the many members of the association that has made this book possible. We would like to thank Judge Kyle Higgs Tarrant for her services through the years. We would like to also thank the many members, both past and present that have made this association work for Saginaw County. With out the membership, we would not have an association of people helping people in times of emergency.
KEEP SAFE!
