"He's a tough little rascal and he's doing really well," said Battalion Chief Harvey Holland.
He said Franz, 48, is listed in good but guarded condition at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Holland said two bullets passed through the left side of Franz's chest, missing the vital organs and lodging in the muscle tissue in his back.
He said there is no sign of any infection or complications, and doctors are planning to remove Franz's chest tube Friday evening so that he can walk around. Holland said he might be released from the hospital as early as Monday.
"He's one of the toughest guys I've ever known," the chief said.
Holland said it looks like Franz will make a full recovery, and although they do not know how long his recovery may take, the firefighter is already eager to get out of bed and is talking about returning to work.
"He's one of those guys who's constantly moving, and he's laid as long as he cares to lay," Holland said.
He said firefighters have been in and out to visit Franz and that his head is clear and he has his sense of humor back.
"He's one of our peaches around here and we're looking forward to getting him back," Holland said.
Holland said the suspect in the shooting was released from police custody Friday at noon, and the fire department is operating under high security.
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