Marion Springs Fire Fund

10/11/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!

Last but not least is Waldron Michael Babion!

Who is Waldron Babion?? I know most of you probably didn't even know that Michael is his middle name! Waldron, or as we all call him, Mike, is a charter member of the department, serving 46 years with the Marion Township Fire Department. He was the first chief of the department way back in 1980.

Mike has truly had every job in the fire department. He has served in many offices and represented the department on many boards throughout the county. Mike was a member of the Saginaw County Fire Association, representing our department as well. Mike and his wife, Ruth, and their family are heavily involved in the Marion Springs Fire Fund. If you have been on a fire scene with Mike, you will know he could always run circles around the young guys. Mike may be reaching his golden years, but he still attends meetings and trainings when he can and helps out with whatever we need within the department.

Thank you, Mike— for always being there for the department and for continuously sharing your talents with our community!

10/10/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!

Next up— Mark Rodgers!

Mark has served ten years with the Marion Township Fire Department. Mark has taken on the job of Captain for the last four years. Mark duties in the department include taking care of all aspects of our SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) as well as the three filling stations we have at the department.

Mark is a local business owner, which gives him the availability to leave work for calls. This is a huge asset to the department when we are short on people for daytime calls. Mark is also a light fanatic with each of his vehicles (which is a lot) all lit up with emergency lighting.

Thank you, Mark— for always being part of our fire department team and for giving so much back to our community!

10/09/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!
Next up— Wayland Dilts!

Wayland, is the newest member of Marion Township Fire Department. Wayland came well trained from our neighbors to the west, Ashley Fire Department. Since joining our department, he has earned his Medical First Responder certification. Wayland is always willing to lend a helping hand during trainings, meetings, fire calls, and attending community events.

By day, Wayland is an agricultural truck driver, husband, and dad. His somewhat flexible schedule helps with calls during odd hours. He shows up with a smile, has great ideas on training and ways to make the department even better. He can also flip a mean pancake! Our community needs more people like Wayland.

We appreciate great, committed firefighters, and Wayland is certainly one of them. Thank you, Wayland!

10/08/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!

Next up— Ray Patterson!

Ray is one of our founding members with over 45 years of service to Marion Township Fire Department. Ray has taken on the role of co-maintenance director with David Weeden. This means Ray is in charge of making sure all our trucks and small equipment are in great running condition. We can always count on Ray to be there to figure out mechanical issues with equipment. No matter the job, Ray is always willing to take on a project.

Ray is retired. That is a huge plus for our department. This allows him to run daytime calls when many of our crew are working. It also gives him free time to meet with vendors and other mechanics if the job is too big to do in-house.

The Marion Springs Community thanks you for the years of dedicated service you have given to our community!

10/08/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!

Next up—David Weeden!

David, aka Dave, has been a member of Marion Township Fire Department for ten years. Meetings, incidents, community events, trainings, maintenance, epic light displays… You name it, Dave is always here to help! Dave has taken on the role of co-maintenance director. This means he is in charge of making sure all our trucks and small equipment are in great running condition. From oil changes to building repair, we can always count on Dave to lend a helping hand. Dave is employed as a machinist, which helps greatly in the maintenance department. There isn't a whole lot that Dave cannot fix or have an idea how to make work.

Dave is known for his wit on the department. (well he calls it wit lol) He is always there to crack a joke with a smile. He is also wonderful with kids. You can usually find him at events at the end of a hose or assisting a child in a truck to use the lights and sirens. Dave has a passion for bright lights! He has won many local bright light shows as well as the state bright light parade in Roscommon.

Thank you, Dave— for always being there for the department and for continuously sharing your talents with our community!

10/07/2026

In honor of it being Fire Safety Week, we’re going to take the next month to shine a light on the members of our department who keep our community safe!

First up— Floricia Wadsworth!

Floricia, also known as "Flo" is a crucial part of our crew. Trainings, meetings, fire calls, community events, washing trucks, epic Halloween costumes, etc… you name it, she’s there! Flo has taken on the role of department secretary. This means she is in charge of making sure all of our reporting is complete, taking minutes at various meetings and keeping our files in order.

Recently, Flo has become a certified EMT and now is employed with MMR of Saginaw. The knowledge she is gaining through her employment helps her bring much needed skills back to our department when running rescue calls. Flo is incredibly patient and wonderful when it comes to caring for patients. She shows up with a smile, her one of a kind Pterodactyl call, ready to learn and help in any way she can. Our community needs more people like Floricia!

Thank you, Flo— for always giving 110% to the department and for continuously sharing your compassion!

09/24/2026

This past weekend we were honored to add four new names to the wall at Michigan Firemen's Memorial. Thank you to the families that attended. If you are ever in Roscommon please visit this site. It's amazing to see all those firefighters on that wall. So many men and women who gave countless hours to their communities. With the four names added it was over 100 years of combined service to the Marion Springs Community.

Names added were Audrey Reikowsky, Terry Weigold, Herb Volz Jr. And Jason Gross.

09/18/2026

Help us celebrate our neighbors new fire engine! Should be a great day in St. Charles!

Join us next Sunday, for a free breakfast. Who can say no to free pancakes, eggs, sausage, and drinks? All professionally prepared by our amateur cooks.

While you’re on site? Make sure you get a tour, of YOUR new fire engine. 

And join us around noon, for our official dedication to YOUR new fire engine. The “Push In” will be at noon right after the pancake breakfast. 

PROFESSIONALLY STAFFED BY YOUR NEIGHBORS, SINCE 1963.

09/16/2026

Road Closure Information: Marion Twp - Merrill Road between Ithaca and Brant Road is closed due to a sink hole until further notice. Please find alternate routes.

09/16/2026

The Michigan State Firemen's Association, as well as the Marion Township Fire Department, wishes to welcome everyone to the annual firemen's memorial service.

This year will be a special year for us. Marion Township will be adding four names to the wall in this year's ceremony. It is a great honor to see our firefighters' names with so many other Michigan Heroes.

We will be adding to the wall:
Herb Volz
Audrey Reikowsky
Jason Gross
Terry Weigold

These men and women dedicated at least 10 years of service to the Marion Springs community. Please join us in honoring them.