Recruitment
Join the Stronach Township Fire Department Team
Join our team…we’ve got your back. This isn’t your typical 9 to 5 job. It is a calling in the truest sense. Regardless of the types of incidents we respond to –fires, medical emergencies, hazardous incidents, and accidents – there is never a dull day and no two calls are ever exactly the same. Placing service before self by helping our citizens and/or visitors to our community on what may be the worst day of their lives is what we are here for. If that kind of passion and commitment to making a meaningful difference in someone’s life fuels you then consider blazing a new trail for yourself and join our incredible team.
Minimum Requirements
To become a firefighter at the Stronach Township Fire Department, one must meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- Proof of high school graduation or a GED certificate
- Physically capable of performing firefighting duties
- Hold a valid driver’s license (a valid Michigan Driver’s License is required for initial and continued employment.)
- Authorize and pass a background check (criminal record, driving record and personal history) and a drug screen
- Possess or be able to acquire firefighter certification as mandated by the State Of Michigan Firefighters Training Council
- Criminal history reviewed case by case; a conviction does not automatically disqualify you
- Live within a reasonable distance from the fire station
What to Expect
Time. How much time the department asks of you depends mostly on how many calls come in. In 2025 we answered 139 calls, between two and three a week, at every hour of the day. The department also meets Mondays at 6:00 p.m., except holidays, and holds scheduled trainings. The State of Michigan requires certified firefighters to complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years, with at least six hours each year. Medical licenses carry continuing education requirements of their own.
What we ask of you. Complete all mandatory training, make most of the scheduled trainings and at least half of the Monday meetings, and answer a fair share of the calls over the course of a year. We look at the whole year, not month to month, because our members have jobs and families. If you need to step back for a while, you can ask for a leave of absence and come back.
Training. You don’t need any training or experience to apply. The township pays for your Firefighter I and II certification and for medical training up to the EMT level.
Equipment and physical exam. Your protective equipment is provided at township expense. So is the physical exam.
Pay. Members are paid for every call: $30 for a call of up to 90 minutes, and more for longer calls. Meetings pay $15 each. Trainings pay $30 for a half day and $60 for a full day.
After you apply. We run a background check. You then sit down with the department’s officers. It is not a formal interview. We tell you what we expect, and you tell us what you expect from belonging to this department. The officers make a recommendation to the Township Board, which approves or denies the application. If you are approved, the Fire Chief contacts you to schedule your physical. Every appointment is conditional on passing the background check, the drug screen and the physical, and new members serve a one-year probationary period.
Application Process
Download the application below, or pick up a printed form from the Stronach Township Clerk’s Office. Return your completed application any of these ways:
- Email it to stronachfiredept@gmail.com
- Fax it to 231-723-4911
- Mail it to Stronach Township Fire Department, 2471 Main Street, Manistee, MI 49660
- Drop it in one of the mailboxes outside the Township Hall, or hand it to the Clerk during normal business hours
Questions? Call the fire department at 231-454-2184.
Employment Application (PDF, revised October 2026)
Curious what the job involves? Make Me A Firefighter, from the National Volunteer Fire Council, explains what it takes to serve as a volunteer firefighter or EMT.
Responsiveness Matters
Make a Difference Today
Take the first step towards making a significant difference in your community. Apply and start your journey with the Stronach Township Fire Department. We’re more than just a team – we’re a family committed to protecting and serving our community.