Newaygo Fire Department

05/30/2026

Today we honor Chief Dave Otteren as he retires from the Newaygo Fire Department after 12 years of dedicated service.

Chief Otteren has led with courage, integrity, and compassion — answering the call at all hours, supporting our firefighters, and serving our community when we needed it most. His leadership has made a lasting impact on our department and on the lives of countless residents.

Please join us in thanking Chief Otteren for his 12 years of service, sacrifice, and commitment to Newaygo. We wish him a long, healthy, and well‑earned retirement.

Thank you, Chief. You will always be part of the Newaygo Fire Department family

05/04/2026

Newaygo County has been placed under a Red Flag warning by the National Weather Service until 7 PM today. Details can be found in the link below.

https://local.nixle.com/alert/12373249/?fbclid=IwZnRzaARlzBxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegd1Cmpe-iQgnhRkcCjsBrOjwVxPN22JxuWNgZMYz40C6A8qJjkfi2RIBadY_aem_XF_y8JUyLN9gmdSeGs_HgQ

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 7 PM EDT this evening. * Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative ...

04/30/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2026

Newaygo Fire Department Provides Update on Personnel Matter

In the interest of transparency and maintaining the trust of our community, the Newaygo Fire Department is releasing information regarding an ongoing investigation involving one of our employees.

Earlier this week, the Department was made aware of law enforcement activity at the residence of Captain Jason Newfer in the City of Newaygo. Upon receiving preliminary information, the Fire Chief took immediate action and placed Captain Newfer on administrative leave pending further review.

As of today, April 30, 2026, Jason Newfer has submitted his resignation and is no longer affiliated with the Newaygo Fire Department.

The Department remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and public service. The safety and well-being of our residents continue to be our top priority. We will fully cooperate with law enforcement and any other appropriate agencies as the investigation progresses.

We understand the importance of public trust and will provide additional information as it becomes appropriate and available.

Media Contact:
David Otteren, Fire Chief
Newaygo Fire Department
231-652-7788
[email protected]

Send a message to learn more

04/18/2026

NFD will be operating in our coverage area doing damage assessments with Michigan Task Force 1

Thank you!

04/16/2026

Notice to Residents:

Information regarding residences located along the river is now available through the Newaygo County GIS Public Viewer.

All properties affected will be displayed within the viewer for public access and review. Residents are encouraged to utilize this tool to view property-specific details and stay informed about any relevant updates.

For questions or assistance accessing the viewer, please contact the Sheriffs Office or Emergency Services.

04/16/2026

Please advise and use caution in the area!

04/13/2026

Thank you to our partners in public safety communications at Newaygo County 911 Central Dispatch for the great work they do every single day!

03/02/2026

Tonight, the team participated in specialized training focused on motocross-related injuries. With riding season approaching, it’s important that we stay prepared to respond quickly and effectively to the unique challenges these incidents can present.

This training covered common motocross trauma scenarios, patient assessment in off-road environments, spinal precautions, and coordinated response efforts. We were also able to review site-specific considerations for our local track, Big Air Motocross, ensuring our crews are familiar with access points and terrain.

We appreciate the opportunity to train proactively and strengthen our readiness. Preparation like this helps us better serve our community and keep riders safe throughout the season.

01/18/2026

Tonight NFD awarded those who went above and beyond in 2025. We thank the families of every member and those that put their life on the line everyday

01/08/2026

Newaygo Firefighters/First Responders ran 753 calls for service in 2025. In 2024, that was 691, and the 2023 calls for service were 570. A major increase and stress for all involved.

Paid-on-call departments rely on their staff to respond when the pager goes off, no matter what they may be doing at the time. With the requirements to get certified and the hours needed to keep it, not including the full-time job they already have, this many calls can be a significant strain on the department and staff. The success of this department is not from me, but from all the staff who make the sacrifice of family time to ensure all calls are covered, no matter the time of day. So if you see a Firefighter/First Responder, thank them for their service; it really does make a difference.

Chief Dave Otteren