Peninsula Township Fire Department

Services Provided

Medical Services - Provided by the Peninsula Township Fire Department and staffed 24 hours per day, seven day per week. Currently station 1 is staffed with a Fire Officer, Firefighter/EMT or a Paramedic 24/7. Station 2 is staffed with 2 firefighter/Paramedics 24/7 pm.  Future Station 3 at the northern end of the township is in the planning stage.  Township EMTs and Paramedics provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) as determined by the request for help. If Peninsula FD units are already out on a run, assistance can be called through mutual aid agreements. This may be done by the 911 Dispatch Center or by Township personnel after they arrive. Peninsula Township Fire Department started providing ALS service on October 1, 2018.
Fire Emergency Services - Provided by the Peninsula Township Fire Department and staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. On-call members of the Department receive signals as needed at any time, and will respond if available.  If more assistance is needed, other area Fire Departments and medical personnel will respond through mutual aid agreements.  Members of the department spend 10 hours per month, per individual, training.  The fire department also provides public education, fire inspections as well as plan reviews for new buildings.​
Police Services - Provided by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Department through a contract with Peninsula Township. 
Virnell France is our Deputy.  He can be reached at 231.223.4525 or 231.313.4525 or by email vfrance@gtsheriff.org.

Virtual Tour Fire Station #3 (website open in new tab)

Red fire truck Peninsula Township

History

Fire Department's history

Photos

Rescue boat in water
Emergency vehicle Peninsula Township Michigan

Employment Opportunity

Peninsula Township Fire & Rescue is looking for part-time Firefighter/Paramedics/EMT's. Contact Chief Gilstorff for the application.  Direct all questions to Chief Gilstorff at 231.223.4443 or at fire@peninsulatownship.com. 

Fire Department Information

Your Peninsula Township Fire Department 231.223.4443
  • Fire Station #1 - 14247 Center Road
  • Fire Station #2 - 8150 Center Road
  • Fire Station #3 - 19270 Center Road
     Your Peninsula Township Fire Department was formed in 1943 as the first volunteer fire department in Grand Traverse County, with the mission of addressing the growing need to protect the peninsula’s residents and property from fire.  Since then, the department has grown to include 3 fire stations housing 3 fire engines, 2 water tenders, 2 ambulances, 1 rescue truck, 1 utility truck, Chief’s truck, 2 rescue boats and 1 John Deere Gator with skid unit.  The number of active members on the department has also grown to include 30 active members trained as fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, (EMTs), and medical first responders, (MFRs).
     Peninsula Fire Station #1, located in Mapleton, is currently staffed by two full time members 24/7. Station 2 is located at 8150 Center and is staffed by two full-time firefighters/paramedics 24/7. Station 3 will be located on 19270 Center road just north of Swaney and is staffed by a part-time member. Paid on-call firefighters respond when available.
      The fire department is available to respond to fires, medical emergencies, water rescues and any other emergencies within our community.  The department also has mutual aid agreements with the fire departments in the surrounding communities making them available to assist us when we need additional resources and making us available to assist them when they need additional resources. Fire prevention and public education are program’s the department provides.  Life safety inspections are completed every year of all businesses located within the township.  The fire department has the capability of providing many classes such as fire safety, first aid and CPR.  Any member of the community is encourage to ask for our assistance when it comes to Life Safety or Fire prevention. 
Contact Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff at fire@peninsulatownship.com for the following documents:
  • Peninsula Township Fire Department Strategic Plan 2020-2030.
  • Peninsula Township Fire Department Yearly Report for 2019.
  • ​Agreement between Peninsula Township and Peninsula Firefighters Union, AFL-CIO, Peninsula Firefighters Union Contract April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024.
  • ​Fire Department Insurance Services Office (ISO) Reports
  • U.S. Fire Administration report on fires over the last ten years

Automatic External Defibrillator

automatic external defibrillator logo
The Peninsula Township Fire Department has been working hard to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in multiple public places throughout the township.  With the public being able to use these devices when a victim’s heart stops, victims can have a greatly improved chance of surviving the incident.  Currently, AED’s are in place at the Township Offices, Peninsula Community Library, Bowers Harbor Yacht Club, First Congregational Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mari Vineyards, Old Mission School, Old Mission United Methodist Church, Mission Point Lighthouse and Peninsula Fruit Exchange with many more businesses looking into a potential purchase.  View a short video on how to use an AED (website opens in new tab). The Peninsula Township fire department can assist any person who would like to take an AED and CPR class as we have certified instructors or assist any business that would like to purchase an AED.  Please reach out to us if interested at 231.223.4443 or email Firefighter Sarber at ksarber2@gmail.com .  Quick action saves lives and we are here to help achieve that goal.

Fire Prevention Tips

Fire Department Personnel ​

The Fire Department personnel include:
Fred Gilstorff, Chief
14247 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
​Contact by Email
231.223.4443 (NON Emergency only)

​Alphabetical List of Full* and Part time paid on-call Members:

Kalep Adams* - EMT/Firefighter
Grant Blackmer* - EMT/Firefighter
Gerald Brown* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Fred Danielson* - EMT/Firefighter
Chuck Downer - EMT/Firefighter
Dan Drew - Firefighter
Griffin Dunn - EMT/Firefighter
Michael Dunning* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Nick Haines, Lieutenant* - EMT/Firefighter
Harrison Holtom- EMT/Firefighter Trainee
Kyle Johnson* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Noah Knauf* - Firefighter
Jordan LaPoint - EMT/Firefighter
Jeff Lenten – EMT/Firefighter
Paul Lipke* - Paramedic/Firefighter 
​Wolstano Paniagua- MFR/Firefighter
Ethan Passalacqua - Paramedic/Firefighter
Cory Reamer - EMT/Firefighter
Tyler Royston* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Kyle Sarber, Lieutenant* - EMT/Firefighter
Joseph Sicoli* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Jacob Strait* - Paramedic/Firefighter
Brent Strom, Lieutenant* - EMT/Firefighter
Cobey Taylor* – EMT/Firefighter
Tom VanderMey - MFR/Firefighter
Nathaniel Workman- EMT/Trainee

Fire Department Equipment

  • 2000 Horton Ambulance
  • 2016 Horton Ambulance
  • 2020 Spartan Engine
  • 1998 Sutphen Engine
  • John Deere Gator ATV with a Wildfire Skid Unit
  • 2006 Chevrolet Rescue Truck
  • 2019 International Firovac 3000 gallon Tanker
  • 2005 CSI Tanker
  • 2008 Rosenbauer Wildfire Truck
  • 17' Mako Boat
  • 27' Safe Boat