Lincoln Charter Township Firefighters

03/26/2026

Keep an eye on the weather tomorrow night

03/11/2026

03/10/2026

A tornado watch has been issued for portions of portions of Northern Indiana and Southern Lower Michigan.

03/10/2026

Last night our members trained on search and rescue techniques inside a smoke filled structure. Crews practiced locating and removing victims in low visibility conditions while working in full gear and SCBA. These scenarios help prepare our firefighters for real incidents where visibility is limited and time is critical.

We also worked on hydrant operations using a 3-way valve, allowing us to efficiently supply multiple trucks from a single hydrant. Training on equipment like this ensures our crews can quickly establish a reliable water supply and keep water flowing to the fireground.

Regular training like this helps keep our department ready to respond whenever our community needs us.

Thank you to Lake Township Fire & Rescue for joining us!

03/02/2026

Today around 1:30pm, crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire at a local apartment building. Upon arrival, 4202 confirmed a working fire on the 3rd floor.

Firefighters from Engine 24 and Engine 23 made a quick and aggressive interior attack, bringing the fire under control and limiting the spread to surrounding units. The apartment where the fire originated sustained extensive damage to the kitchen area. Neighboring apartments experienced smoke damage and some water damage as a result of suppression efforts.

Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated efforts of our crews, damage was kept to a minimum and no serious injuries were reported.

Thank you to Lincoln Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Lake Township Fire & Rescue, and Medic 1 Ambulance for your help.

02/24/2026

Over the last 24 hours, our crews have responded to multiple motor vehicle accidents during hazardous winter driving conditions.

Last evening, we were dispatched to three separate crashes involving multiple vehicles. One of those incidents required extrication to safely remove two occupants who were trapped inside their vehicle. Firefighters worked efficiently to create access and remove both patients. Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Last nights extrication call, crews were at the station as we had just arrived back at the fire station. The crews were able to respond out of the station in under a minute. Firefighters were the first on scene. This is one of the many reasons it is important to have a full time fire department. This allowed crews to provide a quick extraction, rather than the occupants waiting 10-15 minutes for the firefighters to arrive.

Today, we also responded to a jackknifed semi on I-94, which created significant traffic hazards due to snow covered and icy conditions.

These incidents are a strong reminder that winter weather can quickly create dangerous travel situations. Reduced visibility, drifting snow, and icy roadways significantly increase stopping distances and the likelihood of crashes.

Our personnel train regularly on vehicle stabilization, extrication techniques, and large vehicle incidents to ensure we are prepared when these emergencies occur.

Please slow down, increase following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination during winter weather events.

Stay safe.

02/17/2026

Have questions about the staffing plan? Our Fire Chief is happy to sit down, listen, and talk through it with you, whether you support it or have concerns.

We believe good communication builds a stronger, safer community.

We’re committed to transparency, collaboration, and making decisions that prioritize the safety of our residents and firefighters.

02/12/2026

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP — The Lincoln Township Fire Department is on track to hire two additional full-time employees by April 1.

02/10/2026

Last night we trained with Lake Township Fire & Rescue on vehicle extrication and stabilization. Crews worked hands on with real world scenarios, practicing scene size up, vehicle cribbing, and door removals.

These drills may look routine, but they are exactly what prepare us for the moments when seconds matter most. Every cut, every lift, and every decision made in training translates directly to safer, faster, and more effective responses for the people we serve.

01/25/2026

Great class put on by Blue Card B Shifter. Chief Chiarello, Captain Koch, and Firefighter Burch attended this 2 days class.

40 firefighters and public safety officers.
Multiple departments.
One standardized command language.
This week in Benton Harbor/Southwest Michigan, crews from across the region — and as far away as Sunnyvale, California — are taking part in the Blue Card & B Shifter Strategic Decision Making and Critical Thinking Workshop through a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Regional Incident Command Training Grant.
For 16 focused hours, we’re reinforcing what matters most:

✔️ Clear decision-making under pressure
✔️ Connecting strategy to tactics
✔️ Using the Functions of Command as a consistent process
✔️ Building regional alignment before the next big incident

Huge thanks to the departments represented:

Benton Charter Township FD
St. Joseph Department of Public Safety
Lincoln Charter Township Firefighters
Clay Fire
Bertrand Township Fire Department
Watervliet Fire Department
Bridgman Fire Department
Royalton Township Fire Department
Lake Township Fire & Rescue
Chikaming Township Fire & Rescue
Weesaw Township Fire & Rescue
Westland Fire & Rescue
West Bloomfield Fire Department
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
Grand Ledge Area Fire Department

Regional training works. Shared language works. Process works.
If your department is serious about strengthening command performance and decision-making in the hazard zone, it’s time.
👉 Find and sign up for a Blue Card workshop near you:
BlueCardTraining.com/events

01/24/2026

Pictured is Chief Chiarello and Captain Koch going through the blue card train the trainer class!

Firefighters deal with a lot of stress and danger while working to save lives and property during fires.

01/23/2026

This past week Chief Chiarello and Captain Koch attended Blue Card Train the Trainer class to continue strengthening our command, accountability, and on-scene decision-making skills.

This program helps ensure we’re training the right way, staying consistent, and preparing our members to operate safely and effectively when it matters most.

Investing in training today means better leadership, better communication, and better outcomes for our community.

🔥 Big news in Southwest Michigan! 🔥

Congratulations to the first round of instructors launching Blue Card implementation across the region. Through a regional grant effort, departments are investing in their people—training new Blue Card instructors and bringing high-impact workshops to the area in 2026, including Strategic Decision Making and Mayday Management.

Huge thanks to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety for stepping up to lead the charge—unifying departments through shared training, standardized command language, and a common system for managing incidents.

Regional alignment. Stronger command. Better outcomes.