03/27/2026
“There’s an increased demand on your emergency response departments, and it’s the same number of people attempting to continue providing that service over time,” he said. “It can be overwhelming.”
We are incredibly proud of the work our members do every day. From complex technical rescues to protecting our neighborhoods. Local 1609 trains for it all—because our community deserves nothing less.
But pride doesn’t prevent burnout. And training doesn’t replace staffing.
Right now, our firefighters are being asked to do more with less—more calls, more demands, and fewer people on shift. That impacts not only the safety of our members, but the level of service our community relies on when seconds matter most.
This isn’t sustainable. Our firefighters are feeling it. Our system is feeling it.
Protecting this community starts with protecting the people sworn to serve it. It’s time to invest in safe staffing—for them, and for you.
Chief Newman emphasized that demands on the department have steadily grown, while staffing levels have remained unchanged for 25 years in his recent interview with ELi.
https://eastlansinginfo.news/from-campus-labs-to-river-rescues-east-lansing-firefighters-train-for-it-all/
