Archive
-
Guns (Police) N' Hoses (Fire) hockey competition at the DOW Event Center in 3rd year to raise money for 100 Club of Saginaw.
-
Freddie the Firefighter Performs at the Women's Expo at Saginaw Valley State University for an Arson Watch Fundraiser
-
F.I.S.T. Makes Arrest in Hoyt Nursing Home Fire.
F.I.S.T. has been successful in obtaining an arrest warrant in the Hoyt Nursing Home fire that occurred on June 21, 2009. Joseph Ortiz II of 114 N. Granger, Saginaw, will be arraigned on October 1st. Ortiz has been arrested and charged with felony arson of a dwelling. Ortiz' endangered the lives of about 130 elderly residents by setting a fire inside a janitorial supply closet. The closet was locked and only accessible by nursing home staff. The F.I.S.T. arrest is another example of ongoing teamwork with a highly successful track record.
-
Saginaw law enforcement and fire officials warn arsonists: 'You're going to get caught'
By Gus Burns | The Saginaw News
October 28, 2009, 9:48AMIf you try and start fires this Devil’s Night and Halloween, “you’re going to get caught,” says Mike Jenkinson, a fire investigator for the state police, at a press conference this morning.
He said arsonists “hammered” the city in 2006 but he doesn’t foresee a repeat with the increased efforts of the community, law enforcement and firefighters.
After 24 fires in 2006, Marcia Rabideau organized Arson Watch and recruited 1,000 volunteers to patrol the streets in 2007, curbing the number of arsons to three in 2007.
Firefighters reported 18 calls last year, six identified as arsons, and Arson Watch recruited 3,500 volunteers to patrol the streets.
Anything number of fires above zero this year is too many, Jenkinson said.
He said law enforcement plans to patrol in shifts through Sunday, and efforts have reduced the number of Devil’s Night fires, “but there are still too many.”
“We’re asking citizens with information (about arsons) to give us a call,” Jenkinson said.
He said information leading to an arrest and arson conviction, a charge ranging from probation to 20 years in prison, may earn tipsters $6,000.
The Michigan Arson Prevention Committee is offering $5,000 and may be reached at (800) 442-7766 or reward@miarsonprevention.org.
CrimeStoppers is separately offering $1,000 and may be reached at (800) 422- 5245. Tipsters may remain anonymous, Jenkinson said.
- 'Suspicious' Fires Erupt Days before Devil's Night in Saginaw
Source: WNEM-TV CBS 5 -
Saginaw City Fire seriously Enforcing open burning ordinance
It’s that time of year again as residents prepare for the warmer months and the sales circulars are full of fire pits on sale. These fire pits are legal to sell but what consumers don’t understand is that depending on the ordinances of your municipality they may be prohibited. In Michigan the practice of open burning may be regulated at both the state and local level. It is important to remember that local ordinances may prohibit the open burning of ANY material and best to contact your municipality and/or township office to find out if local ordinances are more restrictive than the state rule before you purchase. Contact your fire department, municipality or DNR district office for burn permit information.
Click here for more information
-
August 4, 2009
Local Coverage
