GRAND BLANC, MI--New firefighters and recruits for the Grand Blanc City Fire Department were introduced at a Grand Blanc City Council meeting Wednesday. Two newly purchased fire response vehicles were also on display in front of the city offices.
For the first time in over seven decades, the city of Grand Blanc will launch a lone firefighting venture in July.
The city chose to create its own department after the township decided in January to dissolve a 72-year-old fire authority partnership between the two communities.
Fire Chief Dennis Smith introduced new firefighters and recruits at a city council meeting Wednesday.
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New firefighters are already certified. The recruits will have to go through training before serving on the department.
New certified firefighters:
- Pete Alexander (over 21 years of experience.): A former Grand Blanc firefighter and captain, Alexander has Level 3 Officer certification along with several other fire service-related certifications. He was Genesee County firefighter of the year in 2014.
- John Borysewicz (over 21 years of experience.): Former Grand Blanc firefighter and Lieutenant. John has level 3 officer certifications, former Hazmat team member and a licensed EMT. John is also a certified trainer and has numerous other fire service industry related certifications. John is a retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant and world traveler. John came out of “retirement” to serve again for our community.
- Ryan Daup (6 years of experience): Daup has certifications as a Hazmat first responder and medical first responder.
- Charlie Farley (17 years of experience): Farley has numerous firefighting related certifications including officer classes. He is a certified fire investigator and a retired Oakland County Sheriffs Deputy with over 25 years of law enforcement experience.
- Rich Ferriby (over 40 years of experience): Ferribly is a former Deputy Chief of the Grand Blanc Fire Department. He has multiple certifications and came out of retirement to serve the community.
- Robert Handa (over 14 years of experience): A former Grand Blanc firefighter, Handa is currently an engineer for VAST Production and he is also a United States Army veteran. He holds numerous certifications in the firefighting industry including officer classes.
- Brandon Liddell (over 14 years of experience): In addition to fire service experience, Linddell has crash rescue, structural firefighting and hazardous materials certifications, among others. He is a veteran of the United States Army-Air National Guard and is currently an Oakland County Deputy Sheriff.
- Patrick Murphy (over 14 years of experience): Murphy is a full-time firefighter for the City of Flint and a former Lieutenant with the Burton Fire Department. He has numerous fire service certifications including officer classes, hazardous materials operations and driver’s training.
- Jim Parkin (over 10 years of experience): Parkin is a former Grand Blanc firefighter. He holds several certifications in the firefighting industry including hazardous materials training and is a licensed Paramedic with Swartz Ambulance. He is U.S. Army Veteran and obtained the rank of Specialist E-4 before being honorable discharged.
- Chris Rhind (6 years of experience): Rhind is the current police Lieutenant for the Grand Blanc City Police Department. He has command and general public service experience.
- Noah Scott (first time firefighter): Scott recently became a certified firefighter. The city’s fire department is Scott’s first job as a firefighter and he will soon start school to become a certified paramedic.
- Brandon Smith (over 7 years of experience): Smith is a former Grand Blanc firefighter. He is currently a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy and U.S. Army veteran who obtained the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged. He holds certifications in hazardous materials, leadership and incident command.
- Charles Thompson (over 9 years of experience): Thompson is a full-time firefighter for the Orion Township Fire Department. He has numerous fire service certifications including EMT training.
- James Varga (over 12 years of experience): Varga is on the Capac Fire Department but lives in Grand Blanc. He is a certified fire inspector and plan reviewer. He holds numerous fire service certifications including hazardous materials and incident command.
New recruits:
- Gerald Beckman: Beckman is currently a United States Army Reservist with over 21 years of experience as an E4 Specialist. He also works as a truck driver contracted to the U.S. Postal Service, bringing years of experience in large vehicle driving.
- Michael Blondell: Blondell is a former Fire Commission member and holds a master’s degree in Business, co-owns and operates two thriving businesses and is a former supervisor for General Motors.
- Brian Byarski: A detective sergeant for the city police department with several years of law enforcement experience, Byarski holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
- Cameron Hicks. Hicks currently works for the Grand Blanc City DPW as a summer employee. Hicks has taken some college courses and wants to pursue a job in criminal justice.
- Christina Irwin: Irwin is the Human Resource Director for the City of Grand Blanc. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Michigan.
- Brian Lipe: Lipe is the city’s police chief. He is a U.S. Army veteran with years of law enforcement and command experience. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan.
- Jakobe Maxson: Maxson is a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy with four years of experience. He is a Army National Guard veteran. He is trained and experienced in heavy equipment operations, and obtained an E-2 level before being honorable discharged.
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