CRYSTAL FALLS -- A little more than a year ago, the Crystal Falls Fire Department had three full-time firefighters and 24/7 protection. Today, only one full-time paid firefighter remains and the rest are volunteers.
"We have to take it one step at a time. This is just a learning experience," said Fire Chief Ray Niemi. "We've never had this before, and we'll just make the best of it."
Crystal Falls Township runs the department which receives around 40 calls per year.
Township supervisor Tom Lesandrini said it's important the community has at least one full-time firefighter for protection and to maintain equipment.
But with a $100,000 operating budget and two failed millages to fund the department, Crystal Falls Township is in a tough spot.
"We're concerned if the future holds that we're not going to be working with any more of our general millages, we're going to have to cut down [the fire] department," said Lesandrini.
He said having a full-time firefighter cuts down on response times as well.
But travel less than one mile down US-2 and you'll find the Alpha Mastodon Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Although Crystal Falls has more than five times the population, both departments field around 40 calls per year. But Alpha Mastodon's budget is only around $50,000 and Fire Chief Jeff Seppala said the department responds quickly.
"In all the years I've been on the department, 17 years, I don't think we're ever gone more than two to three minutes on a response time," said Seppala. "A lot of times it's under two minutes."
So what's the future of the Crystal Falls Fire Department? Lesandrini said the full-time firefighter provides much-needed protection, and given the size of the community, the department would suffer without him.
But without a millage to fund the department, the township may have no choice but to run an all volunteer force.
"It's a concern of ours and the residents here in the community that once we eliminate all of our services, we won't be able to bring those back," Lesandrini said.
The millage is expected to be on the ballot later this year.
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