Photo Gallery

A look at the people, equipment and training behind your fire department. We will keep adding to it.

Our photo rule is simple: we do not post anything that could identify a patient or anyone we help at an emergency, and we keep private homes out of our incident photos. If you appear in a photo here and would like it taken down, call us at 231-454-2184 or email stronachfiredept@gmail.com.

Ice rescue training on Manistee Lake

In February 2021, members trained on Manistee Lake for rescues through the ice: reaching a person who has fallen in, then bringing them out on a rescue board or in the inflatable rescue boat.

Water rescue training

On July 1, 2024, members trained from shore and on the water with the department’s Oceanid Rapid Deployment Craft, an inflatable rescue boat.

Swift water rescue class

In September 2018, Norman Township hosted this four-day Swift Water Rescue Technician class, taught by Michigan Rescue Concepts, for firefighters from departments across Manistee County and beyond. Students started in the classroom, then worked rope lines and an inflatable raft in moving water, including a day on the Pine River.

Tree stand rescue training

On September 12, 2026, the Norman Township Fire Department put on tree stand rescue training. Members climbed and rigged straps and rope to practice reaching a hunter who is hurt or stranded in a tree stand, a call that comes with every hunting season.

Vehicle extrication

On July 15, 2024, Brian’s Auto Parts on Grant Highway opened its yard and staged vehicles so members could practice stabilizing wrecked vehicles and cutting into them. Our thanks to Brian and Roseann McLaughlin. Members also took part in a three-day vehicle extrication and advanced stabilization class in April 2024.

Night driver training

On the night of December 2, 2024, our crews joined the Manistee Township Fire Department for emergency apparatus driver training in heavy snow and icy conditions on the Little River Casino Resort parking lot. We train in conditions like these on purpose, because emergencies don’t wait for good weather. Crews ran our largest trucks, the ones most likely to be first in on a call, through the cone course. Our thanks to Manistee Township for hosting and to Little River Casino Resort for the lot.

On a grass fire

The department’s UTV carries a pump and hose to grass and brush fires that an engine can’t easily reach. Pictured with it are Fred R. LaPoint and Scott MacNeill.

The Dublin General Store fire

When the Dublin General Store burned in August 2019, tankers drafted water from Sand Lake through the night to keep the fire supplied.

In the classroom

Not all training happens outdoors. Members attended a grant writing class on March 4, 2024; a wildland fire tactics day put on by the Michigan DNR Fire Division and hosted by the Frankfort Fire Department on March 30, 2024; and lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle incident training in October 2024, sponsored by the Manistee County Firefighters Association and Little River Casino Resort. Grants help pay for equipment and training.

Rescue Task Force training

On April 12 and 13, 2025, the department trained alongside law enforcement, fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard from across Manistee, Mason and Benzie Counties. Rescue Task Force training prepares police and fire and EMS crews to work as one team at an active violence incident, where seconds count. Little River Casino Resort provided the facilities.

In the community

On the Monday training night of June 15, 2026, members spent the evening at Stronach Park power-washing the playground equipment. The silent auction items below come from the department’s November 2021 spaghetti dinner at the VFW, a fund raiser for water rescue gear.

Our station and members

The station from the air, and some of the members who answer your calls.