Alpena Township Fire Chief Tim Baker will leave the department Nov. 30 after telling township trustees he will not seek another contract term, bringing a change in leadership to a fire department already facing staffing and funding pressures.
The Alpena Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday to accept Baker’s letter of non-renewal and approved a motion to begin advertising for his successor. The township has not named an interim chief.
Baker said his decision was based on family needs and was not driven by contract negotiations. He was hired from the Lansing area and sworn in Dec. 1, 2024, making the Alpena Township chief’s position his first fire chief job. Trustees approved a two-year contract with renewal language and a starting salary of $85,000.
Chief says departure is based on family needs
“After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek a renewal of my contract as fire chief,” Baker said. “This decision is based solely on personal reasons and the need to dedicate more time and focus to my family. It has truly been a privilege to serve the Alpena Township community over the past two years.”
Baker said renewal discussions began about two months ago, when he told trustees he might not pursue another term. He later submitted formal notice within the period required by his contract.
He said the negotiations themselves did not lead to his decision. According to Baker, the board was discussing terms that could have included annual pay increases and a longer-term agreement.
Township Supervisor Abbi Kaszubowski said officials intend to move quickly while conducting a careful search.
“Chief Baker has notified the township that he will not be renewing his contract upon its expiration,” Kaszubowski said. “The township appreciates Chief Baker’s service to the community and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Staffing and funding challenges remain
Baker’s departure follows years of turnover, retirements, slow hiring and tight budgets while the department works to cover two stations. Full-time staffing fell at points in late 2025 and early 2026 after firefighters left for other jobs or retired.
The department at one point planned a partial brownout at the northside station on U.S. 23. That plan was later canceled after full-time firefighters, paid-on-call members and Baker covered the shift. Trustees subsequently approved new hires. In June, the board voted 4-3 to raise the department’s medical license from medical first responder to basic life support.
Baker said the department’s recent strain has damaged relationships that the next chief and trustees will need to rebuild.
“As many residents are aware, the fire department, its staff, the board of trustees, and the community has faced stressful circumstances in recent years,” he said. “One of the most important elements moving forward is strengthening those relationships. Continued trust and collaboration between the department, the board, and the citizens is essential for the long-term health and safety of the community.”
For months, Baker has told trustees that the department’s target is six full-time firefighter/EMTs plus a chief, supported by a larger paid-on-call roster. Recruiting paid-on-call members has been difficult because of training requirements, time away from home and compensation.
Despite recent hiring, Baker said the current staffing approach for responding to calls creates safety concerns.
“From an operational standpoint, the current staffing model is not safe or sustainable,” Baker said. “Responding with only one firefighter from a station, or deploying apparatus with a single responder, presents significant risks. I have worked to make progress toward increasing staffing levels, but funding remains the central challenge.”
Millage decisions will shape the next chief’s work
The department’s funding debate predates Baker. Voters rejected fire millage increases twice in 2022. The existing 1.4953-mill fire levy, approved in 2018, runs through the end of 2027.
Trustees have tabled both a “remove and replace” proposal near 3.475 mills and a special-assessment option while studying how to fund personnel, equipment and coverage at both stations. In March, the board used fund balance and a general-fund surplus to cover a projected fire deficit of nearly $300,000 rather than reduce public-safety spending.
Baker said residents should view the funding gap as a public-safety issue, not simply a budget problem.
“Residents should understand that providing a safe and effective fire department comes with real costs,” he said. “The funding models that worked 20 to 30 years ago do not meet the needs of 2026 and beyond. Ensuring adequate resources will be critical for the department’s future.”
Kaszubowski said the search will seek a leader capable of guiding the department through those challenges.
“The Township will follow a thoughtful and transparent process to identify the next leader of our fire department,” she said. “Our priority is selecting a qualified individual who will support our firefighters, maintain strong emergency services and serve the long-term needs of the Township and its residents.”
Baker is an Air Force veteran and former training chief at Lansing Community College’s regional fire training center. He also worked as a structural firefighter and previously fought wildfires with the U.S. Forest Service.
During his time in Alpena Township, he advocated for more full-time and paid-on-call staffing, shift-coverage pay for on-call firefighters, the basic life support license change and a long-term funding plan. He has not said whether he will remain in the Alpena area after Nov. 30.
“I remain deeply grateful for the support of the community and for the dedication of our firefighters and staff,” Baker said. “It has been an honor to serve.”
Advertising for the permanent position will begin under the motion approved Monday. Baker’s last scheduled day is Nov. 30.