GTMESA Schedules March 24 Board Meeting, Seeks New Hires

A new face will soon be visiting schools, businesses, and community groups across Garfield, Acme, and East Bay Townships — if the Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority finds the right candidate for a fire and life safety educator position paying up to $75,000 a year.

The Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Service Authority, organized officially in 1980, provides fire and life services to Acme Township, East Bay Charter Township, and the Charter Township of Garfield. The department runs five strategically located stations spread across 110 square miles of land that encompass urban and rural living, lakes, rivers, and recreational state land.

The agency posted an opening for a Fire and Life Safety Public Educator, known by the acronym FLSPE, with a salary range of $65,000 to $75,000. The position is full-time, hourly, and in-person at 40 hours per week. According to the job posting, the educator "will be responsible for delivering fire prevention, life safety education, and public outreach programs within the community" and will work with schools, businesses, community organizations, and local agencies to promote fire safety and emergency preparedness. Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Brian Belcher currently supervises two fire inspectors, one fire plans examiner, and one fire and life safety public educator, making the open position a direct addition to that prevention bureau.

The benefits package includes life and AD&D insurance, long-term and short-term disability coverage, paid vacation, paid personal and sick time, 13 paid holidays, and an employee assistance program. GTMESA also contributes 10% of base pay to a self-administered retirement plan. Interested applicants can submit a resume and application at gtmetrofire.org. GTMESA describes itself as an equal opportunity employer and drug-free workplace.

The hiring notice coincided with the agency's regular monthly board meeting, which was held Tuesday, March 24 at 9:00 a.m. at Acme Township Hall. GTMESA's board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m., with the location rotating, so the agency posts a notice ahead of each session.

Today, GTMESA responds with over 30 pieces of apparatus, including engines, tankers, a ladder truck, heavy rescues, wildfire trucks, water supply trucks, rescue boats, rescue sleds, ATVs, and a public education vehicle. The addition of a dedicated community educator would expand the prevention side of that operation across a service area that stretches well beyond Traverse City's city limits into the rural townships to the north and east.

The GTMESA administrative office is located at 897 Parsons Road in Traverse City and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.