News File Photo Alpena Township Fire Chief Tim Baker shows off the operational components of one of the old fire trucks at the township’s southside station on Monday. The township is considering a millage proposal for the fire department during the August 2026 primary election.

ALPENA – The Alpena Township Fire Department faces a familiar foe, staffing shortages and the need to pass a new millage.

At the Alpena Township Board or Trustees meeting earlier this month, Fire Chief Tim Baker informed the board of staffing concerns due to personnel leaving the department.

The department currently employs five full-time firefighter/EMT’s, plus the Chief. Baker explained what the department needs to be considered fully staffed.

“Our goal is to maintain six full-time firefighter/EMT’s plus the chief. Recently, one firefighter resigned for another opportunity, and another will retire on January 18th.”

The search for additional candidates has already begun.

“We are actively recruiting and have interviewed three candidates, with plans to hire shortly after the New Year,” Baker said. “We will conduct another hiring process in mid-January.”

To properly staff the department, paid on-call personnel are necessary. Due to the training requirements, it can be a difficult process.

“We currently have nine paid-on-call firefighters, with four to five being highly active. Ideally, we would have around 20 members in this role,” Baker explained. “Recruiting is difficult due to the significant training requirements, time commitment, and the impact on family life.”

Hearing your local fire department is experiencing staffing shortages can be alarming. Baker explained what the shortages mean for public safety.

“Reduced staffing means our full-time personnel work longer hours to maintain 24-hour coverage, increasing the risk of burnout and impacting mental health. Paid-on-call members help fill gaps, but most have other full-time jobs. Ultimately, it can lead to slower response times.”

When asked what he believes led to the recent staffing shortages, Baker offered several factors about why it is hard to keep fire department employees.

“Employees leaving for higher paying positions elsewhere,” he said. “Retirement of experienced personnel and extensive training and continuing education requirements for new recruits.”

Alpena Township residents are not strangers to millage votes in-regards-to the fire department. Next year, when residents go to the voting booth, they will be asked for a larger tax increase than what was proposed in 2022, when a tax proposal for the fire department was voted down twice by residents.

The new proposal would remove the current 1.4953 millage dedicated to fire protection and replace it with a new millage of 3.475 for four years.

Residents currently pay about $75 a year for a $100,000 house. That amount would more than double if the millage proposal passes in August.

Chief Baker wants residents to know how significant that vote will be for the future of the fire department.

“Our current budget leaves little room for improvements,” Baker said. ” Additional funding is essential to maintain safe staffing levels and keep equipment and apparatus in reliable condition. Plan for apparatus replacement, which requires five years of lead time and costs nearly $1 million per engine.”

Baker explained the need for new equipment as well.

“Our reserve engine is 30 years old, and our frontline engine is nearing 15 years, without new funding, sustaining fire and EMS services at current levels will be extremely challenging.”

When asked directly what happens if the millage does not pass, Baker was honest.

“Failure is not an option. We will continue educating the public and exploring every possible solution to maintain dedicated fire and EMS services. However, without additional funding, difficult decisions about service levels may be unavoidable.”

Despite the staffing concerns, Baker remains optimistic.

“Despite challenges, our outlook is positive. We have a dedicated team committed to serving Alpena Township,” Baker said. “We will continue to evaluate options, engage with the community, and ensure transparency as we work to strengthen and sustain fire protection and emergency medical services.”