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At this week’s Township Board meeting, Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff presented the 2025 Firefighter Awards to members of his Peninsula Township Fire Department team.
Firefighter Cobey Taylor is the recipient of the 2025 Fire Chief Rich Vandermey Firefighter of the Year award. “Cobey has been with our department since 2021 and works hard to educate our residents in multiple classes throughout the year such as fire safety, car seat safety and Stop the Bleed,” said Chief Gilstorff.
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“Cobey also runs our smoke detector program and has installed many detectors in our community. He works hard to help the mental health of all first responders by serving as president of the Northwest Michigan Peer Support group. The department is proud of all his hard work and dedication to our community. This award is well deserved. Great job, Cobey.”
Other members of the team receiving department citations include Firefighters Joe Sicoli, Joe Cleminson, Kyle Johnson, Paul Lipke, Grant Blackmer, Brittin Short, Emry Kiley, Drew Demski, Luke Miller and Lieutenants Kyle Sarber and Kalep Adams. Firefighter Griffin Dunn was acknowledged for five years of service.
“Great job by our whole team in 2025,” said Gilstorff. “The department thanks you for your service and dedication.”
In other news, in January the Township Board approved a special use permit for a new fire station, replacing the aging Fire Station 1 in Mapleton. Details are still being finalized, with possible locations including just north of the Township offices or across from the Peninsula Grill (site of the former store owned by Gwen and Claude Watson).
Also, the Fire Department is conducting a survey to gain feedback on the outreach and educational programs offered by the department. To help them better improve their services to the OMP community, take the survey here.
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