Fire Department

Whitewater Township Fire Department provides fire, rescue and MFR services to our 54 square mile township. We currently have 11 paid-on-call firefighters and one full time fire chief dedicated and ready to respond 24/7/365.

The majority of the calls for service we respond to are EMS related and vehicle crashes, followed by hazards, fire alarms, wildfires and search and rescue calls.

Additionally, the fire department conducts fire inspections, develops pre-plans and organizes local fire safety programs as well as other public relation events.

Contact

DIAL 911 FOR AN EMERGENCY

Fire Chief Brandon Flynn
8380 Old M72, P.O. Box 9
Williamsburg, MI 49690
Office 231-267-5969, FAX 231-267-5903
firechief@whitewatertownship.org

Quick Facts

Station 3 is our county identifier
2020 call total - 91
2020 total employee training hours - 1087
ISO Public Protection Classification - 6/10

Recruitment

The Whitewater Township Fire Department is continually seeking qualified candidates to join our team of dedicated, hardworking individuals. Interested applicants must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Have a High School Diploma or GED
Live in or near Whitewater Twp.
Have a clear driving record
Be in good physical condition and drug free
Be able to dedicate time for training and emergency calls

Fire Prevention and Inspection

Whitewater Township has adopted the 2018 International Fire Code by the International Code Council as the fire prevention ordinance.

Permit and plan reviews will be required for all new construction and remodels for multi-family, commercial and site development projects in Whitewater Township. Site plan reviews will also be required for temporary special event functions.

Please call 231-267-5969 for information.

Ordinance No. 57 Fire Prevention Ordinance
2018 IFC International Fire Code
Knox Box (website opens in new window)

OPEN BURNING IN WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP

Whitewater Township uses the Michigan DNR and EGLE rules and regulations for open burning. State law requires a burn permit for any open burning whenever the ground is not snow covered. Permission to burn is issued Township wide through the Michigan DNR Burn Permit Management System and are not actual paper permits issued to an individual.

Prior to open burning, a property owner must check the DNR website to see if burning is allowed in Whitewater Township.

Small fires for recreation and cooking are allowed without permission in an approved container.

General open burning requires permission which can be done online at www.michigan.gov/burnpermit . On the Permission to Burn page, click on the “CAN I BURN TODAY?” link. This will take you to a map of Michigan; be sure to click on Grand Traverse County to see detailed information about each township. If the Burning Permits Issued column says YES next to Whitewater, then you may burn, if it says NO, then you may not burn. You may also obtain information by calling 866-922-BURN (2876). The DNR Permission to Burn page is updated every day by 10:00 a.m., so be sure to check daily for permission to burn!

Never leave your fire unattended. State law requires that outdoor fires be attended at all times.

Burning trash and construction debris is strictly prohibited.

Please note that Agricultural Burning has different rules and regulations.

Call the DNR at 1-866-922-BURN (2876), or click on the badge below to find out more about open burning.