Tag Archives: fire truck

Wyoming Public Safety called to separate homicides, fire truck damaged in accident

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety were called to two homicides this weekend and an accident that resulted in its fire engine being hit.

Homicide, Suicide on March 31

On March 31, officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a 911 call from a residence in the 3000 block of Buchanan Avenue shortly after 7:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they discovered two deceased males who both had gunshot wounds in the driveway of the residence.

Andrew Gil, 25, was located inside a vehicle parked in the driveway, and Louis Gonzales, 30, was found in the driveway near the car. A handgun was recovered from the scene.

According to a report released today, based on evidence collected at the scene and autopsy findings from the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office, investigating officers have concluded that this incident was a tragic homicide followed by a suicide. It has been determined that Gonzalez shot and killed Gil before turning the gun on himself and taking this own life.

Gonzalez and Gil are related and evidence of a dispute between the two has come to light during the course of the investigation.

Shooting on 44th Street

On April 2, police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shooting in the 200 block of 44th Street SW at approximately 2 a.m.

When officers arrived, they located Isaia Mojica, 24, who had been shot. Mojica was given aid by first responders and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officers were then notified that another male suffering from gunshot wounds was dropped off at a local hospital. It is believed that this person was injured during the shooting on 44th Street. His injuries are non-life-threatening. The other occupants of the vehicle that dropped him off left immediately.

According to initial witness statements this incident began as a physical altercation involving several individuals. The shooting began during this altercation and multiple people fired shots. A handgun was recovered from the scene.

 

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and would like to speak to anyone who has any information.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.

Fire Engine Damaged in US-131 Accident

On April 2 at around 2:45 a.m., police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety was assisting the Michigan State Police Department on a rollover crash on US-131 south of 44th Street.

 

While at the scene, the Wyoming fire engine and a Michigan State Police car were struck by two separate vehicles.  No one was hurt.

The Michigan State Police Department immediately sent out a tweet to remind drivers to “slow down, pay attention, and move over for emergency vehicles.”

The accidents are being investigated by the Michigan State Police.

Officials from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety stated they are still assessing the extent of the damage to the engine. The department may not know anything for about month, but the preliminary damage does appear to be significant, according to the department officials.

Wyoming fire welcomes new fire truck by giving it a little push

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Wyoming firefighters push one the city’s new fire trucks into the Gezon station. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

With the help of the community, the Wyoming Fire Department welcomed its newest truck Tuesday night by pushing it into the station.

The Wyoming firefighters who helped to push the new pumper truck into the Gezon station. (WKTV)

It is a tradition that dates back to the 1800s, according to Wyoming Fire Chief Brian Bennett.

“So the push-in started back in the days of the horse-drawn carriages,” Bennett said. “Every time the firefighters returned from a call, the horses could not back up and push the equipment into the station.”

The firefighters would have to disconnect the horses and physically push the equipment back into the station, he said.

As the equipment modernized and the need for horses lessen so did the need for the firefighters to push the equipment.

“It was a really cool tradition that they had done for years and firefighters wanted to figure out a way to continue that tradition,” Bennett said. “So it came to be that when a department received a new piece of equipment, the push-in still stayed there as the department would push that piece into the station to signify the equipment’s start of service.”

A little help from the community

In fact, the Wyoming Fire Department has done push-ins with all of its equipment over the years but what made Tuesday’s event special is it was the first time the public was invited to join the department for the push-in.

“The public needs to be involved in this too because you are just as much a part of this as we are,” Bennett said to those in attendance. “We get to play with the shiny new toys but without the support of the community none of this takes place.”

There was supposed to be two new fire trucks at the event but one was still having the final touches done in Kalamazoo.

A design that fits the community

The new trucks, which replace two older fire trucks that were sold in June, are smaller than the standard engines many residents are use to seeing. However, outside of the fact that the new trucks seat two people versus six, the trucks have all of the capacity of a larger engine at about half the cost, Bennett said, adding the trucks are able to pump water and have ladders. A fire truck that seats six is around $650,000 while the two-person vehicle is closer to $350,000.

Because of its versatility, the trucks are able to complete many different tasks that are needed in the city such as responding to a medical request or putting out a dumpster fire. The trucks also will be able to support the other vehicles in the fleet and vice versa.

“You really need to design your equipment by what you do in your community,” Bennett said. “It is not about the community neighbor who has the flashier, shiner truck. We design our trucks to help with what we do most in our city.”

Pierce Manufacturing, a manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, built the trucks at its Florida plant. The trucks were delivered to the city in August.

After the push-in, there was a community open house. (WKTV)
Left, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt listens as Fire Chief Brian Bennett talks about the new fire truck. (WKTV)

City of Kentwood welcomes new fire engine

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By WKTV Journal
joanne@wktv.org

City of Kentwood’s new fire truck. (Supplied)

The Kentwood Fire Department recently welcomed a new fire engine that will enable it to continue providing leading fire and medical services to the community.

 

The Spartan Metro Star pumper replaces a fire engine retired from the department’s fleet last year. Built by Charlotte-based Spartan ER, the new fire engine will be housed at Fire Station 3 on Eastern Avenue SE and be put in service soon.

“We regularly service and replace emergency vehicles to ensure they are operating optimally,” Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman said. “This new engine is an investment in the safety of our community.”

The vehicle has a 450-horsepower clean diesel engine and a 500-gallon water tank with an environmentally safe foam system. It is also equipped with more than 2,000 feet of fire hose, a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump and life-saving medical equipment. The new engine cost $572,000 and is expected to be in operation for 18-20 years.

The new vehicle was built using the same specifications as other vehicles in the fleet, which is critical for firefighter safety and streamlined maintenance.

After the cab was constructed, it was transported to Spartan’s sister facility in Brandon, South Dakota, where the body of the vehicle was built. Looman and Battalion Chief Clarence Patterson recently visited to inspect the engine before its arrival in Kentwood.

“The inspection is a crucial step in the process that ensures the truck is built to our specifications,” Looman said. “Spartan ER and CSI Emergency Apparatus have been phenomenal partners and, once again, have equipped us with a quality fire engine that will serve our community for years to come.”

More information about Kentwood Fire Department is available at kentwood.us/fire.