Emmett Charter Township
Public Safety Department
Our Mission
Message From The Director
As a longtime resident of the Battle Creek area, I have watched the area demographics for a number of years. Over time, the area that always interested me was Emmett Township and how it was progressing, while many areas in the county were remaining constant. We all recognize Michigan is one of the states hardest hit by the downturn in the national and international economy, but it appears to be on the rebound. While I am not an economist, I think it is safe to say that our economy and the way we “do business” will not return to the way it was during our flourishing years. This required Emmett Township to change the way we provide service to the residents of our Township.
With that said, I would like to point out some of the services that we provide to make Emmett Township an attractive place to live and work. In the mid 1980s, The Police Department and the Fire Department consolidated to become a true Department of Public Safety providing police, fire and emergency medical services. What that means is when you see an officer in a patrol car; he or she is also a firefighter and a medical first responder. The training required for certification in each field is extensive and requires significant annual training to maintain these certifications.
Due to the training, reporting and associated responsibilities, the department is assigned organizationally to two lieutenants who report directly to me, as the Director of Public Safety. Lieutenant Tony Geigle is responsible for fire and emergency medical services. Lieutenant Ken Cunningham is responsible for all law enforcement operations and activities including the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and investigations. Detective/Sergeant Brady Keys is responsible for all investigations and works closely with area law enforcement investigators. The task for each of them is monumental and they perform very well.
Emmett Township has been and continues to be “ahead of the curve” when it comes to fiscal responsibility while considering the health, safety and welfare of our residents. For example, we utilize Crime Reports to identify and map the crimes that occur in the Township. In addition, we use Nixle to report “live” significant events as they happen in and around the Township. We are and will continue to be innovative as it relates to fiscal responsibility and maximizing our efforts to protect our residents and businesses.
Fire and EMS Division
Operating out of two stations, the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Fire & EMS Division responds to an average of over 1,500 calls for Fire, Rescue and EMS services. Public Safety Officers also provide community services, fire prevention, inspections of local businesses for fire code compliance, Participate in local events and talk to local schools, and special interest groups. Public Safety Officers continue to train and stay up to date on the latest information and standards in Fire Suppression, Rescue, Emergency Medical Techniques and Hazardous Materials.
Though the department is staffed 24hrs a day by full time and part time staff, the backbone of the fire division is operated by dedicated paid on call Public Safety Officers. These officers are trained and hold certification in various areas. Some include paramedics, EMT's, hazardous materials specialists, extrication specialists, confined space rescue, RIT and emergency management.
Department Head: Lt. Tony Geigle 269-968-9303 tgeigle@emmett.org
Law Enforcement Division
The Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Patrol Division responds to an average of 10,000 calls for service a year and is made up of several separate units that function as one agency. The department provides law enforcement, fire, and medical response that, combined with other areas, make up a department that well exceeds the norm for local policing.
Each Emmett Township Public Safety Officer Level III are trained in both Law Enforcement and Fire/Medical response. By having these officers trained in the above areas, they are able to provide the citizens of Emmett Township, and those who pass through the area, the absolute best in all response needs. Several Emmett officers are trained in specialized fields in an attempt to keep up with the ever growing needs of the community:
- Digital Evidence
- Child and Internet Exploitation and Computer Crimes
- Evidence Scene Technicians
- Sexual Assault Investigations
- Police Canine Training
- Accident Re-Construction and Investigation
- Hazardous Materials Specialists
- Meth Laboratory Identification and Dismantling
- Crime Prevention
Emmett Township Officers also believe that the community we are sworn to protect plays a huge role in crime prevention. The community can see changes in their areas that officers may not notice. We ask the community to work with the Public Safety Department by reporting suspicious vehicles and persons, as well as suspicious activities to our office. We will investigate and handle this information with absolute certainty. By providing information to our office, you may have prevented a crime from occurring.
Department Head: Lt. Ken Cunningham 269-968-9303 kcunningham@emmett.org
Our History
The Emmett Township Fire Department was started in 1944 after the department received its first NEW fire truck, a 1944 Chevrolet Pumper. At that time, the department had 15 volunteers and a full time fire chief that lived with his family above the fire station. Since that time, the fire department and the
township has undergone a lot of changes. In 1984 the fire department was dissolved and consolidated with the police department to form the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety.
As the area grew with both population and businesses, the department expanded, building a second station on D Drive North near 9 Mile Road on the south side of the township. Additional personnel were put on, along with additional trucks. Now the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety is considered one of the busiest departments in Calhoun County next to the City of Battle Creek.
EMMETT PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF
