Fort Gratiot Charter Township - MI Fire Department

08/21/2026

After 45 years of dedicated service, we congratulate Mark “Smitty” Smith on his retirement from the Fort Gratiot Fire Department.

Throughout his career, Smitty served our department in many roles, including Firefighter, Safety Officer, and Engineer. In every position, he brought experience, dedication, leadership, and a genuine commitment to the members of this department and the community we serve.

For 45 years, Smitty has been a huge part of our department and has left a lasting impact on all of us. His knowledge, guidance, friendship, and willingness to help others will be greatly missed around the station and on the fireground. Of course, we can’t forget that no shift was complete without Smitty and his Diet Dew.

Smitty, thank you for 45 years of service, sacrifice, friendship, and dedication to the Fort Gratiot Fire Department. You have certainly earned this next chapter.

Congratulations on your retirement, Smitty. Enjoy every minute of it!

08/04/2026

It is with heavy hearts that the members of the Fort Gratiot Fire Department share the passing of retired Assistant Chief Larry Osborn, better known to all of us as "Larry O.," on Saturday, August 1.

For 42 years, Larry faithfully served the Fort Gratiot Fire Department with unwavering dedication, answering an incredible 19,628 emergency calls. We know that number because Larry kept track of every single one, taking a run slip from each call, a simple habit that became a remarkable record of a lifetime spent serving others.

Throughout his career, Larry rose through the ranks of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, and ultimately Assistant Chief. No matter the title, his commitment to the department never changed.

Larry was also the driving force behind keeping our apparatus in exceptional condition. He took immense pride in maintaining our fleet, ensuring every truck was ready to respond when our community needed it most.

If a 911 call came in, day or night, you could count on Larry O. to answer it. His dedication, work ethic, and pride in this department set an example for generations of firefighters who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

Larry's impact on the Fort Gratiot Fire Department cannot be measured by rank or by the nearly twenty thousand calls he answered alone. It is reflected in the people he mentored, the apparatus he cared for, and the legacy of service he leaves behind.

Thank you, Larry, for your 42 years of selfless service to this department and to the Fort Gratiot community. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will continue to ride with us on every call.

Rest easy, Assistant Chief Larry Osborn. We'll take it from here.

https://www.gracemem.com/obituaries/Larry-Osborn?obId=49169685&source=fb0&fbclid=IwY2xjawTe64FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeZjZiHsbG85SfqqXYSv4-Xe2XJqQz6KZDKbxBUG7wRgZyAkGkG2FYtMMWDSs_aem_0ts_PS87JZ8SH0o7dnmFEg&utm_source=copy+url&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=obituary-share&utm_content=copy+url

View Larry Alan Osborn's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

07/21/2026

Yesterday, the Fort Gratiot Fire Department accepted the challenge from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office at the Texas Roadhouse Rib Eating Contest.

After a neck-and-neck battle, the Sheriff’s Office came away with the win. We can’t say we’re surprised—they do have plenty of experience chasing things down. We just didn’t expect it to be ribs.

Thank you to Texas Roadhouse for hosting a great event and to the Sheriff’s Office for being great sports. Congratulations on the win… enjoy it while it lasts. We’ll be back for a rematch!

07/02/2026

UPDATE: our phone lines are now operational

Notice: Our phone lines are currently down.

If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately.

For non-emergency assistance, please contact St. Clair County Central Dispatch at (810) 985-8115.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience. We will provide an update as soon as our phone service has been restored.

06/19/2026

A big thank you to the Fort Gratiot Lowe’s for donating a new grill to the Fort Gratiot Fire Department!

With a little help from B Shift, our last grill retired earlier than expected. We appreciate Lowe’s generosity and look forward to putting this new one to good use for years to come.

04/13/2026

04/06/2026

The Fort Gratiot Fire Department is currently accepting applications for part-time Firefighter/EMTs!

Qualified and motivated individuals are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to serve and protect our community.

All applications must be submitted no later than May 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon).

For additional information regarding qualifications and the application process, see the job posting below.

01/23/2026

With dangerously cold temperatures in our area, the Fort Gratiot Fire Department would like to remind everyone to practice safe heating habits at home.

If you’re using space heaters, keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn and never leave them unattended. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet and avoid using extension cords. Fireplaces and wood stoves should be properly maintained, and ashes should be disposed of in a metal container away from buildings. Never use ovens, grills, or generators indoors for heat, as this creates a serious fire and carbon monoxide risk.

Please take a moment to check that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. A few simple precautions can help keep your home and family safe during extreme cold weather.

Stay warm and stay safe.

12/30/2025

Burn Permit Reminder - Fort Gratiot Charter Township

All 2025 Burn Permits for the Township of Fort Gratiot will expire on December 31, 2025.

If you need a new permit, you can obtain one in person or online at: https://www.fortgratiot.us/government/fire-department/burn-permit/

Please make sure your permit is current before burning. Contact us at 810-385-5666 for any questions. Stay safe and thank you for helping keep our community protected!

Online burn permit application

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from the Fort Gratiot Fire Department!

The Fort Gratiot Fire Department extends its warmest wishes to our residents and visitors this Christmas season. We are grateful for the continued support of our community and remain committed to protecting lives and property throughout the holidays and beyond.

As you celebrate with family and friends, we encourage everyone to do so safely and responsibly. From all of us at the Fort Gratiot Fire Department, we wish you a safe, peaceful, and Merry Christmas!