News photo by Josh Jambor The Alpena Public Safety building sits quiet on Monday.

ALPENA – Alpena County 911 Central Dispatch fielded 570 calls over the Fourth of July holiday weekend as tourism swelled the area.

Local fire and law enforcement agencies reported mostly routine activity with zero fireworks-related calls for the Alpena Township Fire Department.

Alpena County Central Dispatch Director Kim Elkie reported dispatch logged 227 calls on July 4 itself.

For comparison, the prior non-holiday weekend, June 26-28, had 370 calls. In 2025, the comparable holiday period generated 435 calls, with 168 on Independence Day.

The busiest hours this year were Friday from 7 until 8 p.m. when there were 19 calls, Saturday from noon until 1 p.m., when there were 25 calls, and Sunday from 8 to 9 p.m. when there were 18 calls.

The figures represent incoming call volume only and do not account for other essential tasks handled by dispatchers.

Alpena Township Fire Chief Tim Baker credited community efforts for the safe results.

“We are encouraged by the absence of fireworks‒related calls this year, it is likely a reflection of residents following the safe‒use guidance shared ahead of the holiday,” Baker said. “Community awareness and responsible behavior make a measurable difference in keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

The Alpena Township Fire Department handled 16 calls over the four-day weekend that ran from Thursday until Sunday, up slightly from 14 in 2025.

Most were medical emergencies typical for holiday weekends. Other responses included a minor M-32 traffic accident tied to heavy traffic, a quickly contained vehicle fire on private property, and a minor commercial fire in a cardboard compactor handled by quick employee action. No major or multi-agency incidents occurred, and there were no fireworks-related injuries, fires or nuisance complaints.

Alpena Fire Chief Andy Marceau described a similarly calm weekend with one exception.

“We had one accident during the Fourth of July, everything else ran smooth,” Marceau said. “An errant firework down by Blair Street pier was in the sand and it went into the crowd and struck a lady in the side of the head who sustained some burns.”

The single documented fireworks injury in the city was handled promptly by responders. The woman received treatment for burns and is expected to recover fully. No fatalities or significant property damage linked to the celebrations were reported across Alpena County.

Marceau added that overall “it was not overly busy, we did not have any fires from fireworks and for the most part, besides that one incident, everyone appeared to have a happy Fourth of July.”

Alpena County Sheriff Erik Smith and Alpena Police Chief Eric Hamp noted the expected seasonal pattern. Hamp reported 288 documented police, fire and EMS events countywide during the period, with 109 of those being traffic stops. Common call types included fireworks complaints, general disturbances, animal complaints, be-on-the-lookouts, personal injury and property damage accidents, and general medical calls. Twenty-two people were lodged at the Alpena County Jail from Friday through Sunday.

Hamp added that the city’s fireworks display and parade “both went as expected. Both events were well attended, and we are thankful for mother nature’s cooperation.”

The holiday aligned with America 250 celebrations, drawing large crowds to waterfront fireworks and the HPC Credit Union parade. State law permitted personal fireworks use from June 29 through July 4 until 11:45 p.m., with additional restrictions in the City of Alpena and Sanborn Township. Pre-holiday safety messaging from dispatch, fire departments and law enforcement encouraged proper storage, discharge distances and disposal practices, which appear to have paid off with notably fewer problems than in past years.

First responders across the board expressed appreciation for the public’s role in making the Independence Day celebrations safe and enjoyable for the vast majority of attendees. The combination of well-attended public events, responsible individual behavior and effective inter-agency coordination contributed to a mostly safe, enjoyable holiday weekend in northern Michigan.