By Dylan Goetz
mlive.com
FLINT, Mich. – Flint Fire Stations 6 and 8 remain temporarily closed as the city completes kitchen renovations that were “long overdue,” according to a news release.
Firefighters assigned to both stations were temporarily reassigned while the renovations are completed, and the temporary closures have not impacted response times, Flint Fire Chief Theron Wiggins said.
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The firefighters at Stations 6 and 8 are currently working out of Station 1 downtown and Station 5 on Western Road.
Flint City Council in May approved $163,964 for the renovations, including ceiling and drywall work, painting and countertops.
The kitchens had mold and asbestos issues.
Work by Siwek Construction Company was expected to begin on July 1, at the beginning of the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Staffing at the Flint Fire Department has increased from 68 firefighters to 92 since Wiggins took over as chief in 2022, according to a city news release.
Twenty additional recruits will enter the fire academy in January.
“The Flint Fire Department is stronger today, and we are continuing to build for the future,” Wiggins said in a statement. “Our firefighters are working hard every day to serve this community, and the numbers show the level of service they are providing. I am extremely proud of the men and women of this department.”
Since January, Flint has responded to 2,458 fire calls with an average response time of approximately four minutes, per the release.
The four-minute response time is something the department can be proud of, Wiggins said.
“When someone calls 911, they need to know help is coming quickly. Our firefighters are answering that call every day,” the chief said.
Flint’s ambulance service has made more than 3,500 runs so far this year.
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