Fire Department
Staff Members:
Joe Miller Fire Chief
Email:  jmiller@cityofwayland.org

If you have an emergency
dial 911

For all other business calls
dial 269-792-6300

Fire Department
160 West Superior Street
Wayland, MI   49348
269-792-6300 (non-emergency)
911 (emergency)
waylandfire@cityofwayland.org

 

The Wayland Fire Department shares the Public Safety Building with the Police Department and is located at 160 West Superior Street.  There are 26 part-paid or on-call firefighters on the department.   With Joe Miller as fire chief,  the Department is responsible for answering alarms in the City of Wayland and Wayland Township.  The department also answers alarms for mutual aid in adjoining areas as needed.

Fire Apparatus that the department has to work with are 2 Engines, 1 Rescue Squad, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Brush/Grass Truck, 1 95ft Aerial Platform-2,000 gpm Truck and a 32ft. Mobile Command Center self contained.

Some of the important equipment that the Fire Department has are the Hurst Jaws of Life which is used to free trapped victims in motor vehicle crashes and the Cairns IRIS Thermal Imaging Helmet and 2 Handheld MSA Thermal Imagers which are used for locating victims in fire and or smoke as well as locating fire/hot spots behind walls, etc.

Presently the ISO Rating for the City of Wayland is at a 4 (only for properties with in the City Limits).

Firefighters on the department are trained at the level of Firefighter 1 & 2, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Cold Water/Ice Rescue, Terrorism Basic Concepts, etc..

The Fire Department has a very strong fire prevention program and uses the Scotty Fire Safety House to teach children fire safety.  This 28 ft. travel trailer is available for other fire departments use in certain areas.  If you would like to see if it is available for your area, feel free to call 1-269-792-6300 and ask for Chief Joe Miller.

SEVERE WEATHER
As you probably know from past experience, severe weather brings the threat of high winds and tornadoes.  While some thunderstorms can be seen approaching, others hit without warning and it is important to recognize the danger signs and to plan ahead.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS:
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that damaging winds and or hail are likely to develop.  This is the time to locate a safe place in the home and tell the family members to watch the sky and listen to the radio or television for more information.

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.  At this point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television and wait for the “all clear” by authorities.

Remember that lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm.  It is a myth that lightning never strikes in the same place.  In fact, lightning will strike several times in the same place in the course of one discharge.

Be sure to report downed wires to authorities, do not check them out yourself.

TORNADO SAFETY:
When a tornado is coming, you have only a short time to make life-or-death decisions.  Advanced planning and quick response is the key in surviving a tornado.

A Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado is possible in the area.  Remain alert for approaching storms and remind family members about where the safe places in your home are located.  Be sure to listen to the radio or television for further developments.

A Tornado Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

The Tornado Warning notification for the City of Wayland comes from the Allegan Central Dispatch.  The weather sirens (on top of the Public Safety Building, on Wildcat Drive near the School Administration Office and near the Baker School) will be sounded.  You will hear a continuous blast for three (3) minutes.

Please remember that there will be no ALL CLEAR siren anymore.  The all clear issued by the National Weather Service will be broadcast via television, radio, and on the internet if you pull up the National Weather Service web site.