Staff

The Grand Blanc Township Fire Department is staffed by 33 part-time and 6 full-time dedicated firefighters who answer your call for help any time of the day or night. The main station is staffed 24/7/365 with part-time and full-time firefighters, who respond to every incident. Full-time firefighters work rotating 24-hour shifts as the company officer and engineer. Part-time firefighters workstation shifts, attend training twice a month and respond from their homes or workplaces to any large incidents.

Each firefighter has completed the Michigan Firefighter I and II Academy, which takes about 350 hours. That includes instruction in firefighting, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials, incident management and more. Many of our firefighters have more advanced and specialized training

Robert Burdette - Fire Chief, Hired 1981

Chief Burdette began serving the Grand Blanc Community in 1981 as an on-call firefighter. In 2011, he was the first full-time firefighter hired by the fire department and in 2016 he obtained his present position as chief. Since joining the fire department, Chief Burdette has continually advanced his knowledge of firefighting techniques, leadership principles, and management through continued education. He earned an Associate of Science degree in fire science from Kaiser University in 2014.

He holds certification for command positions in all-hazard incident management, certified by the National Transportation Safety Institute, and completed the School of Fire, Staff and Command, Executive Leadership Program from Eastern Michigan University. He is an active member in the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Arson Investigators, The Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, Southeastern Michigan Fire Chiefs, and many more organizations.

Kent Maricle - Deputy Chief, Hired 1985

Deputy Chief Maricle began his career in the fire service as an on-call firefighter and has advanced to his present title. He completed his State of Michigan firefighter certification in 1986 and his fire officer certification in 2010. Deputy Chief Maricle is also certified through the Michigan State Police in fire investigations and is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Genesee County Fire Chiefs Association. He has received certifications for Hazardous Material Technician, Urban Search and Rescue Technician, and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting

William Larsen - Captain, Hired 1990

Captain Larsen completed his certification as a State of Michigan firefighter level 2 in 1992. In 1998, he received his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and in 1999 finished the Paramedic licensure, and he earned certification in performing rope, building collapse, trench, and confined space rescues. Captain Larsen continued his advancement in emergency medicine by obtaining his paramedic instructors permitted in 2003. He is certified through the National Fire Protection Association as a level II inspector and plan examiner. Also, Captain Larsen received his Michigan certification for Company Officer in 2008.

Bradley Hutchison - Captain, Hired 1987

Captain Hutchison began his career working in the U.S. Air Force as a Crash-Fire Rescue Technician. When he left the service, Captain Hutchison joined the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department as an on-call firefighter and received certification from the State of Michigan for firefighting in 1987. He also completed his certification for Emergency Medical Technician in 1991, his certification for level 3 Fire Officer in 2009, and confined space and rope rescue in 2010.

Chris Keller - Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Hired 2006

Fire Marshal Keller began his fire service career in 2001 when he completed the fire academy and served as a paid-on-call Firefighter in his hometown, Marlette. In 2006, Fire Marshal Keller was hired as a paid-on-call Firefighter with Grand Blanc Township Fire Department while also being hired by the Charter Township of Grand Blanc Building Department as a Fire Inspector. In 2012, Fire Marshal Keller was hired as one of the first full-time firefighters, where he served as the Fire Inspector until being promoted to Fire Marshal and Lieutenant in 2020.

Fire Marshal Keller has received numerous certifications during his career and time with the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department. Fire Marshal Keller holds and maintains certifications for NFPA Fire Inspector 2, NFPA Plans Examiner, fire investigation through the Michigan State Police, and as an Emergency Medical Technician. In 2011, Fire Marshal Keller completed the Fire Officer certification through the State of Michigan for Fire Officer I, II, and III. In 2022, Fire Marshal Keller graduated from Eastern Michigan University’s Fire Staff and Command Executive Leadership Program, Class 24.

Additionally, Fire Marshal Keller holds memberships in many professional organizations including the Michigan Fire Inspector Society, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Michigan Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Jeremy Oxford - Lieutenant, Hired 2012

Lieutenant Oxford joined the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department in May 2012. Since 2005, Lieutenant Oxford has dedicated his career toward the fire service and has served as a Firefighter, EMT, and Sergeant for other departments. Lieutenant Oxford is a lifelong learner and pursues all opportunities for professional and educational advancement. In May 2020, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Studies with a minor in Professional Communications. He is a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University's Fire Staff and Command Executive Leadership Program, Class of 2018. In 2019, Lieutenant Oxford became a Fire Instructor I and formerly served as Secretary of the Genesee County Training Committee, coordinating and facilitating progressive training for the county.

In 2015, Lieutenant Oxford completed his Fire Officer III certification. He conducts fire inspections and has maintained NFPA Inspector II and Plan Examiner certifications since 2013. Lieutenant Oxford has been a licensed EMT since 2006 and has completed several advanced certifications in Incident Command Systems. He is an active member of many professional organizations including: The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society and Michigan Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators. He continues to dedicate his life and his career toward the community and fire services.

Adam Frank - Sergeant, Hired 2013

Sergeant Frank began his career in the fire service in 1996, by completing the State of Michigan Firefighter Certifications and the Emergency Medical Technician licensure. he continued his education at Mott and Oakland Community Colleges, where he completed Fire Officer III and technical rescue training. His first employment in the industry was with Grand Blanc Fire Department as an on-call Firefighter in 1996 but left the Department for other employment. Soon, Sergeant Frank was able to obtain a position with the North Oakland Fire Authority, where he later promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Frank returned to the now Grand Blanc Township Fire Department in 2013 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2022. Professionally, he transports goods throughout Michigan as a truck driver.

Michael Hertzberg - Sergeant, Hired 2012

Sergeant Hertzberg began his career in the fire service with Grand Blanc Fire Department in May, 2012 as a part-time on-call Firefighter. In April, 2018 he was hired as a full time Firefighter with Grand Blanc Township Fire Department. Sergeant Hertzberg is a Proboard Certified Fire Inspector through the National Fire Protection Association and regularly performs pre-incident fire inspections in the community. He earned his Fire Officer I and II certifications in 2014. From 2014-2017, Sergeant Hertzberg served on the Genesee County Hazmat Team. He continually seeks to further his education in the fire service and seeks to help develop and train the next generation of firefighters. He takes pride in serving the community that he has lived in since 2001.

Martin Sorensen - Sergeant, Hired 2015

Sergeant Sorensen joined the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department in October 2015. In April 2016, he received his certification from the State of Michigan Fire I and II. Currently, Sergeant Sorensen holds the Vice President position for the part-time firefighter union, MAFF Local 1137. He is part of the Department Mentorship Program that assists with training and guiding newly hired Firefighters. He is currently scheduled to complete Instructor I training in 2023 to better mentor new firefighters. When he is not at the Department, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family.

Meghan Delano - Administrative Assistant, Hired 2015

Meghan provides administrative support for the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department. She is a Grand Blanc High School Alumna and studied at Siena Heights University from 2010 to 2014. She began her career at Grand Blanc Township in 2015 as the part-time Administrative Assistant for the Township Supervisor. In 2016, she was hired full-time as the Administrative Assistant for the Township Superintendent. In 2020, Meghan specialized her administrative responsibilities and began working for the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department. During her time with the Township, Meghan has been awarded and managed multiple grants, developed a scheduling and mentorship program, and executed successful community events. Meghan continues to grow her knowledge of the fire service and assist in departmental growth.

Staff

Officers