Mecosta Township Fire & Rescue

06/19/2026

⚠️Stanwood Buffalo Park Closure Notice⚠️

From the Village of Stanwood
Please be advised that Stanwood Buffalo Park will be closed on Wednesday, June 24, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM to allow for park improvement projects to be completed safely.
The park will remain closed for the remainder of the day and will reopen on Thursday, June 25.

06/18/2026

🚒🥎 Sponsorship Opportunity 🥎🚑

Want to get your business in front of hundreds of community members while supporting local first responders?

The Mecosta Township Firefighters' Association is currently seeking sponsors for our 2nd Annual First Responders Softball Tournament, taking place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Buffalo Park in Stanwood.

🏆 Platinum Sponsor – $200
• Banner displayed near the home plate infield fences and/or team dugouts
• Yard sign displayed during the tournament

🥇 Gold Sponsor – $100
• Banner displayed along the outfield perimeter fence

🥈 Silver Sponsor - $50
• Yard sign displayed during the tournament

This event brings together first responders, local businesses, and community members for a day of friendly competition, fundraising, and community engagement. Your support helps the Association continue its mission of supporting the members of Mecosta Township Fire & Rescue through training, equipment, and community-focused initiatives.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Complete the sponsorship form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf25p0VW-gBFGyk4EVjEy0Xbvr0Tn2scdb02DwmkILmXnPGIg/viewform?usp=dialog

Thank you for supporting your local first responders and helping make this event a success! 🚒🥎

Support the Mecosta Township Firefighters Association and help make our 2nd Annual First Responder Softball Tournament a success. Tournament Date: August 15, 2026 Location: Buffalo Park, Stanwood, Michigan Sponsorships and business logos must be submitted no later than July 10, 2026. Platinum Sponso...

06/10/2026

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
LIFE-SAVING AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTATION

Last night, during the regularly scheduled Mecosta Township Board Meeting, Chief Anthony Peacock and Mecosta County EMS Director Craig Johnson recognized several first responders for their actions during a medical emergency that occurred on August 29, 2025.

On that date, Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue and Mecosta County EMS were dispatched to a report of a home birth with a newborn not breathing. Prior to responders' arrival, a midwife had established an airway and was providing ventilations. Upon assessment, the newborn remained apneic with a critically low heart rate. CPR was initiated immediately.

After approximately five minutes of CPR, the newborn's pulse returned to a normal rate. As EMS personnel prepared to establish a secure airway, the newborn began breathing and crying on her own. At the same time, the mother required treatment for post-delivery complications. Responders were able to divide responsibilities and provide simultaneous care to both patients before transporting them to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Both the mother and child have since made a full recovery and returned home without any lasting complications.

Last night, the family involved in this incident, including the newborn, were in attendance and had the opportunity to meet the first responders who assisted them that day. It was a special moment for everyone involved and a powerful reminder of the impact first responders can have on the lives of those they serve.

The quick actions of responding personnel, combined with exceptional teamwork between fire, EMS, and dispatch, played a critical role in the successful outcome of this incident. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of training, preparedness, communication, and coordinated emergency response.

The Mecosta Township Fire Department commends all personnel involved for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to serving others during a high-acuity emergency.

🏅 Letter of Commendation – Life Saving Award

Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue
Chief Anthony Peacock
EMT-B Morgan Bennett
FF/EMT John Hodson
FF Blake Gulick

Mecosta County EMS
Paramedic April Bisson
Paramedic Steven Headland
EMT-B Mara Bailey
EMT-B Grayslin Walch
EMT-B Cameren Cass

Osceola County EMS
Off-Duty Paramedic Kyle Podeszwik

🏅 Meritorious Service Award

Meceola Central Dispatch
Dispatch Supervisor Tracey Clark

Congratulations to all recipients, and thank you for your dedication to the citizens and visitors of our communities.

Attached below are the official media release and a group photograph taken during the award presentation, featuring the responders and the family involved in this incident.

Photo Credit: Austin Chastain, Big Rapids Pioneer

06/06/2026

🥎💙💛 Good Luck, Mohawks! 💛💙🥎

The Mecosta Township Fire Department would like to wish the Morley Stanwood Mohawks Softball Team the best of luck as they compete today in the Division 3 Regionals at Ravenna High School!

📍 Division 3 Regional Tournament
🏟️ Ravenna High School

Game 1 – 10:00 AM
Ravenna vs. Covenant Christian

Game 2 – Approximately 12:30 PM
Morley Stanwood vs. Shelby

Regional Championship – Approximately 3:00 PM

Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork have brought you this far, and our community is proud of everything you have accomplished this season.

Good luck today, Mohawks! We’ll be cheering you on as you continue your playoff run!

🥎💙💛

06/05/2026

🚑❤️ A Life Saved Through Teamwork ❤️🚑

Some calls stay with you forever.

Last August, Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue and Mecosta County EMS responded to a home delivery where a newborn was not breathing and required immediate lifesaving care. Through the combined efforts of the family, midwife, EMS personnel, and fire department responders, CPR and advanced medical care were provided, resulting in the successful resuscitation of the newborn.

Today, that little girl is healthy, thriving, and continuing to grow thanks to the actions of everyone involved that night. Stories like this serve as a reminder of why training, preparation, teamwork, and dedication to our community are so important.

We are incredibly proud of our members and thankful for the outstanding partnership we share with Mecosta County EMS. Incidents like this highlight what can be accomplished when multiple agencies work together toward a common goal.

We would also like to thank the Cargill family for sharing their story and allowing others to see the positive outcome that resulted from the efforts of everyone involved.

🚒 Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue Personnel who responded:

Chief Anthony Peacock
EMT-B Morgan Bennett
FF/EMT John Hodson
FF Blake Gulick

Every individual on the scene played an important role in the successful outcome of this incident.

Please take a moment to read the article below detailing this remarkable event and the incredible teamwork that helped save a life. 🚒🚑❤️

Mecosta County EMTs were under pressure to revive Havah-Linn Cargill,who did not breathe for several minutes. They did, and she's approaching her first birthday happy and healthy.

06/02/2026

🥎🚒 Registration is NOW OPEN! 🚑👮

Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual First Responders Softball Tournament!

📅 Saturday, August 15th, 2026
📍 Buffalo Park – Stanwood, MI
💲 $250 per Team

Teams must represent a First Responder agency or organization, including Fire/Rescue, EMS, Law Enforcement, Dispatch, Corrections, or Military. Players do not need to be first responders themselves, but each team must be affiliated with a first responder agency.

Bring your team out for a great day of softball as first responder agencies from across the area come together for friendly competition, good company, and a chance to support the Mecosta Township Firefighters Association.

⚾

📋 Registration Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeG0X7F5gVy5jftyEWPOs8RiI1IJOjNVV62C4xBRGb7XH0iUg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Additional tournament details, rules, and schedules will be released as the event approaches.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the field this August!

05/30/2026

NO OPEN BURNING TODAY 5/30/2026

A Special Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service - Grand Rapids Office detailing Elevated Fire Danger for central lower Michigan. The MI DNR is not issuing any open burning permits at this time. Before burning, please check the MI DNR Burn Management System to check on the open burning status at: https://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/

05/25/2026

🔴⚪🔵 Memorial Day 🔴⚪🔵

Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer. Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Today, we reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of those who were willing to give everything in defense of our nation. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten.

We give thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we honor the families and loved ones who continue to carry their memory forward.

From all of us at the Mecosta Township Fire Department, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/17/2026

🚑❤️ National EMS Week ❤️🚑

Today marks the beginning of National EMS Week — a time dedicated to recognizing the Paramedics, EMTs, MFR/EMRs, and other EMS professionals who answer the call day and night to provide emergency medical care to our communities.

EMS personnel are often there during some of life’s most critical moments. They provide emergency medical care, reassurance, and support to patients and families during times of illness, injury, and crisis. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication play a vital role in the safety and well-being of our communities.

The Mecosta Township Fire Department would especially like to recognize and thank our direct EMS partner, Mecosta County EMS, along with all EMS professionals serving throughout our region. We are proud to work alongside you.

EMS is also deeply rooted within our own department. Fourteen of our personnel are currently employed, either full-time or part-time, or have retired from various EMS agencies. Their medical knowledge, experience, and dedication play a major role in the services we provide to our residents and visitors each day.

To all EMS professionals — thank you for your continued service, sacrifice, and commitment to caring for others. Your work does not go unnoticed.

Happy National EMS Week!

05/17/2026

🎉 Congratulations and Best Wishes! 🎉

The Mecosta Township Fire Department would like to congratulate Meceola Consolidated Central Dispatch Authority 911 Supervisor Theresa Vanatta on her retirement after nearly 22 years of service.

Thank you for your years of dedication to public safety and for the support provided to first responders and the communities throughout Mecosta and Osceola Counties over the years.

We wish Theresa nothing but the best in her well-deserved retirement. Congratulations!

Today, we celebrate the retirement of 911 Supervisor Theresa Vanatta after nearly 22 incredible years of service.
Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to keeping our first responders & citizens safe in our communities.
Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!