Columbia Charter Township Fire Department

07/17/2026

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07/17/2026

Today marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of the Columbia Charter Township Fire Department as Lieutenant Wayne Marta retires after 35 years of dedicated service. On behalf of Columbia Charter Township, we would like to express our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation for Lieutenant Marta's unwavering commitment to our fire department, our firefighters, and the community we are privileged to serve.
For more than three decades, Wayne has answered the call without hesitation. He has served with professionalism, integrity, and compassion through countless emergencies, long nights, difficult decisions, and moments that demanded courage and selflessness. His dedication has helped shape the department into what it is today, while his leadership has guided and mentored generations of firefighters who have had the privilege of serving alongside him.
A career in the fire service is one of sacrifice—not only for the firefighter but also for their family. Thirty-five years of missed holidays, interrupted family gatherings, sleepless nights, and countless hours spent protecting others represent a commitment that deserves our highest respect. Wayne has given that commitment willingly, placing the safety and well-being of our residents above himself time and time again.
The Columbia Charter Township community has been safer because of his service, stronger because of his leadership, and better because of his character. His legacy will not only be measured by the years he served, but by the lives he touched, the firefighters he mentored, and the example he set every day by leading with humility, dedication, and honor.
As Lieutenant Marta begins this well-earned retirement, we wish him and his family many years of good health, happiness, and the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of a remarkable career. While he will certainly be missed around the station, his impact on this department will remain for many years to come.
Please join us in thanking Lieutenant Wayne Marta for 35 years of faithful service, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the Columbia Charter Township Fire Department and the citizens of our community. Congratulations, Lieutenant Marta, on an outstanding career. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your friendship. Your legacy will forever be a part of this department.

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05/11/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day

04/13/2026

Dear Columbia Township Resident

On May 5th, 2026, the voters of Columbia Charter Township will be asked to cast their ballot on various topics. The most important of these topics will be the continued funding to support the operations of the Columbia Charter Township Police and Fire Departments. The ballots initiatives include the following:

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FIRE PROTECTION MILLAGE RENEWAL
Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes with Columbia Charter Township be renewed at .4286 mil($0.4286 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of 2027 through 2031 inclusive for fire protection; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimate $251,772.00.

POLICE PROTECTION MILLAGE RENEWAL
Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes with Columbia Charter Township be renewed at .8577 mil($0.8577 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of 2027 through 2031 inclusive for fire protection; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimate $503,837.00.

FIRE DEPARTMENT ADDITIONAL OPERATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL
Shall Columbia Charter Township, Jackson County, Michigan, impose a new millage on taxable property in the township, at the amount not to exceed .4214 mills ($0.4214 per $1,000 of taxable value), for the period of seven (7) years, beginning with the 2027 Winter tax bill and ending the 2033 Winter tax bill, inclusive, as an additional millage, to provide funds to the Fire Department for operating expenses of the department? It is estimated that.4214 mills would raise approximately $247,542 when first levied in December 2027.

POLICE DEPARTMENT ADDIIONTAL OPERATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL
Shall Columbia Charter Township, Jackson County, Michigan, impose a new millage on taxable property in the township, at the amount not to exceed .2423 mills ($0.2423 per $1,000 of taxable value), for the period of seven (7) years, beginning with the 2027 Winter tax bill and ending the 2033 Winter tax bill, inclusive, as an additional millage, to provide funds to the Fire Department for operating expenses of the department? It is estimated that .2423 mills would raise approximately $142,334.00 when first levied in December 2027.
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The current operating millages (Police and Fire) have been in place for decades. While these millages have helped fund dedicated emergency services for the citizens of Columbia Charter Township they have not been quite enough to cover costs for both departments providing services which include 24/7/365 police and fire protection.

The additional operational millage proposals will aid in closing the gap because of the Headlee amendment and continued reductions in state revenue sharing statewide. Additionally, a sharp increase in operational expenditures such as equipment, training, insurance, and labor have affected the funding of emergency services and the dollar does not go as far as it once did.

Columbia Charter Township continues to be frugal with the taxpayer dollars and responsibly budgets for the needs of the citizens of this township.

03/26/2026

All outdoor burning for today 3/26 is suspended due to today's dry and windy conditions. Burning will resume tomorrow. The probability of fire spread will be high today, sorry for any inconvenience.

03/09/2026

Burn Ban Notice- March 9th, 2026

A temporary burn ban is in effect today, March 9th, 2026, due to windy and dry conditions.

All outdoor burning is prohibited for the remainder of the day.
Burning is expected to resume tomorrow, conditions permitting.

We are entering wildland fire season, and burning may be closed periodically until vegetation greens up and conditions improve.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.

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02/20/2026

Maintenance is being done on the counties emergency sirens from now until sometime next week, the sirens will go off briefly while maintenance is done on them.

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01/15/2026

Village of Brooklyn Residents:
Open burning for brush only will be permitted on the following dates: January 31, February 28, and March 28, which are the last Saturdays of each month.

Burning is allowed from sunrise to sunset only. A copy of the Village burning ordinance is available upon request from the Village office or the Fire Department.

A permit must be obtained from the Fire Department prior to burning. Please call 517-592-8654 or visit the office Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please note that these are the only approved burn dates within the Village, unless otherwise announced. Recreational campfires and cooking fires are the only other types of burning permitted through out the year with a permit.

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