06/20/2026
A statement from Chief Robert Klepac regarding accusations and misinformation of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department:
I am not a Facebook person. I have long believed that there are good things that come out of Facebook, but most times they are bad. The indignant comments and accusations put out by people that appear to have an agenda which is mostly negative is too much to bear, particularly when they are bashing the men and women who give their time and energy to serve their community - people who I love and respect. The seditious and slandering comments are untrue and uncalled for. Naming names with false accusations is crossing the line. Below are the facts:
*Each pumper is properly equipped with hydrant wrenches along with the proper hose fitting to connect a line to the fire hydrant. At the June 8th residential structure fire, BCVFD personnel had no issue connecting and opening the hydrant with the proper tools. We also never ran out of water.
*No member of the BCVFD contacted Davis Bros to purchase a hydrant wrench.
*No members "sat around" and "watched" the house burn. If firefighters are sitting down, it was probably from exhaustion.
*Mutual aid was called for apparatus and personnel to assist in fire suppression. They were not called for additional water.
*Wadsworth VFD was not initially called, because normally they do not have a large number of personnel. We are grateful for their response and greatly appreciate their assistance.
*Every fire is not the same. Each fire behaves differently.
As for attendance - volunteer firefighters do not make every call. It's virtually impossible because of work, illness, out of town, family obligations, etc. The BCVFD requires members to make a percentage of alarms, practices, and business meetings to be in good standing.
The BCVFD trains using the State Firemen and Fire Marshals' Association Training guidelines.
Claiming that the firefighters listed on one of the posts don't attend calls, or enough calls, is untrue and slanderous.
It is very easy to criticize and point fingers, but try to visualize yourself wearing bunker gear, with an air pack, going into a burning building and you can't see where you're going because of the smoke. If you think you can, and would like to fill out an application for membership, we have plenty at the fire station.
This is coming from the one who was first on scene and noticed each detail about this said fire. I hope this can clear up the misinformation that has been spread falsely about our department.
Robert Klepac
Fire Chief
Bay City Volunteer Fire Department
