Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger Retires After 33 Years of Service

After 33 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger will retire on October 30, 2026. Doug joined the department as a paid-on-call firefighter on October 18, 1993, and attended his first fire training course that same night. He became a full-time firefighter in 1997, was promoted to Fire Sergeant in 2015, Assistant Fire Chief in 2018, and was named Fire Chief in May 2023.

Throughout his career, Doug’s work extended well beyond emergency response. As a certified EMS and Fire I instructor, he dedicated much of his career to teaching. He also directed the Neighborhood Resource Unit, administered the MSHDA housing grant program to help residents make home exterior improvements, and served as Union Township’s Fire Chief and Fire Code Official. His involvement in community boards, public safety partnerships and outreach reflect his commitment to the people and communities he served.

Public Safety Director Paul Lauria said, “Doug has had a very positive impact on the Fire Department, but I think his impact on the community goes well beyond that. He has always been willing to take on projects and get involved, from the City’s TNR program to organizing Greeks Cleaned the Streets. That is one of the things I have always appreciated about Doug. He understood that public service was bigger than just his role as Fire Chief. He cared about the community and was willing to put in the work to make it better. I think his impact will be felt here for a long time.”

Looking back on his career, Doug shared that its greatest rewards have not come from any single achievement, but from the people he served with.

“When I think about what I am most proud of, it isn’t a particular fire, promotion or accomplishment. It is the people. I am proud of the firefighters who show up every day ready to help someone they may never have met.”

That belief shaped Doug’s leadership as chief. Through years of teaching and mentoring, he reminded new firefighters that making a difference isn’t always about saving a life or putting out a fire. It’s often about showing up when someone is having the worst day of their life and treating them with dignity and compassion. As chief, he found it most rewarding to watch his team do just that.

Doug is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, fishing, enjoying his hobbies and discovering life beyond the firehouse. After years of late-night calls, training and time away from home, he is grateful for the family who supported him throughout his career.

While he is ready for the next chapter, Doug knows the fire service will always be part of who he is.

“Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. The uniform may eventually come off, the pager may eventually stop, and the schedule will belong to someone else, but the memories, friendships, lessons, and experiences will stay with me forever.”

Reflecting on his time with the department, Doug shared his gratitude for the people who have been part of his journey and the opportunity to serve alongside them.

“For 33 years, I was fortunate enough to be part of something bigger than myself. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey. It has been an incredible ride, and now I am ready to see what is waiting around the next corner.”

Congratulations on your retirement, Chief Lobsinger. Thank you for 33 years of dedication to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department and the community.

628 S. Oak St Fire – No Injuries

At 8:28 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 628 S. Oak St.

Upon arrival, crews observed light smoke coming from the rear of the building. Firefighters located a fire within a rear wall and in the attic and were able to bring it under control within 20 minutes.

The building sustained smoke, fire, and water damage. Residents of the two-unit home were displaced.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Township Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No residents or firefighters were injured. The fire remains under investigation.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check your smoke detectors monthly and replace your batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

404 S. Washington St. Structure Fire

At 1:26 a.m. The Mount Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 404 S. Washington St. Arriving crew observed a two-story single-family residence with heavy smoke coming all levels of the structure. The fire dept made an offensive attack from two locations but were quickly overwhelmed by fire and deteriorating building conditions and were forced to switch to a defensive operation. The occupant was able to get out safely and was displaced due to the extent of the fire.

Two Firefighters were treated and transported by MMR to McLaren Central Michigan Hospital for minor injuries and evaluations, both have been treated and released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Township Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Isabella Northeast Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Mobile Medical Response, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check your smoke detectors monthly and replace your batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

Structure Fire on Clover Lane Displaces Residents

At approximately 3:08 p.m. today, the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 5414 Clover Lane in the Crossings Mobile Home Park on East Broadway Road in Union Township.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the residence. Crews quickly initiated fire suppression operations and brought the fire under control by approximately 4:10 p.m.

The structure sustained significant fire, smoke, and water damage. The occupants were home at the time of the incident and were able to evacuate safely. No civilian injuries were reported; however, the residents have been displaced as a result of the damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, Mobile Medical Response, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No residents or firefighters were injured during the incident.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check your smoke detectors monthly and replace your batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

715 Wood St. Structure Fire

On March 29, 2026, at 9:42 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a
vehicle fire next to a residence. Arriving crews observed a fully involved vehicle with
heavy fire extending to the attic of the nearby residence. Firefighters conducted an
offensive fire attack and brought the fire under control.

Five occupants of the home were present at the time of the fire and three sustained
minor smoke inhalation and burn injuries.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Shepherd Tri Township Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check your smoke detectors
monthly and replace your batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save
your life.

1619 E. High St. Fire

On January 17, 2026, at 09:50 a.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 1619 E. High St. The fire was reported as flames showing on the single-story ranch structure.

The fire department arrived to find heavy smoke and fire that quickly spread throughout the structure due to heavy fire load. The fire was brought under control by 10:37 a.m. The home sustained significant damage from fire, smoke, heat, and water. The occupants were home at the time of the fire and able to make it out safely and were displaced.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-township Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Consumers Energy, DTE, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No firefighters or Police Officers reported any injuries.

The fire remains under investigation.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year.

Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

Garage Fire on South Elizabeth Street

On November 20, 2025, at 7:50 a.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 211 S. Elizabeth St. Heavy smoke was reported throughout the neighborhood.

The Fire Department arrived at 7:52 a.m. and found an unattached 24’ x 24’ garage behind the residence with heavy black smoke coming from the entire building. Firefighters quickly began working and brought the fire under control at 8:11 a.m.

The garage was used as a workshop and sustained significant smoke and fire damage. The building structure withstood the fire and remains structurally intact.

The occupants were home at the time of the fire and reported no injuries. The garage was the only building that sustained any damage.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No occupants, pets, or firefighters reported any injuries. The fire remains under investigation.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check your smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

Life is saved on North Henry St. Fire

On October 25, 2025 at 12:23 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 721 N. Henry St. The fire was reported at the back of the structure.

At 12:28 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Police Department advised that one person remained in the residence. Fire crews arrived at 12:28:31, just as two City Police Officers extricated the victim out of the front of the home. The victim was treated on scene by Police and Fire personnel, then transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

The fire was located at the rear of the home and determined to be a cooking fire that got out of control and spread to a kitchen fire. The fire was brought under control at 12:39 p.m. The home sustained significant damage from fire, smoke, heat, and water. The occupants were home at the time of the fire and were displaced but are staying with family members in the area.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Consumers Energy, DTE, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No firefighters or Police Officers reported any injuries.

The fire remains under investigation.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

Fire Damages at 209 W. Broadway St. – No Injuries

On September 15, 2025 at 9:52 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 209 W. Broadway St.

Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was visible from the rear and front of the structure. The fire was located on the first floor and was brought under control by 10:26 p.m. Significant smoke and fire damage occurred at 209 W. Broadway St., and buildings on either side sustained smoke damage and minor fire damage.

No occupants, pets, or firefighters report any injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Isabella Northeast Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Consumers Energy, DTE, Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Fire at Reserve Apartment Complex

On June 13, 2025, at 5:36 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a fire at the Reserve apartment complex located at 4205 Collegiate Way.

Upon arrival, crews noticed smoke and fire coming from the four-story complex.

Only one apartment was damaged.

The occupant of this apartment sustained minor burns to the hand. This individual was evaluated by Mobile Medical Response (MMR) and did not seek further medical care.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Michigan State Police, MMR, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.