Sands Twp. Firefighting Training

The Sands Township Fire Department is making the most out of a generous gift.

It’s using an abandoned house for training exercises.

The house is one block east of M–553, near the township’s old fire hall.

Crews were practicing victim extrication there on Wednesday.

And last night, a machine filled the house with smoke to allow for ventilation and ladder training.

Sands Township Fire Chief Rick Wilson says the homeowner donated the property, and it’ll be set on fire tomorrow as part of a controlled burn.

The Chocolay Township and Forsyth Township Fire Departments have joined in the training, along with Marquette County Search & Rescue 131.