Cedar Area Fire & Rescue

03/22/2026

🚒 World-Class Strength on the Front Lines!

We are incredibly proud to announce that our very own Lieutenant Voiles recently traveled to the Arnold Fitness Festival to compete in the World’s Strongest Firefighter competition!

Facing off against elite first responders from across the globe, Lt. Voiles pushed his limits in grueling events designed to test the ultimate level of functional strength, including:
• The Fire Hydrant Carry 🚰
• The Axe Hold 🪓
• The Fire Truck Pull 🚛

After an intense battle of grit and iron, Lt. Voiles finished as the 8th Strongest Firefighter in the World! 🏆

Beyond the ranking, this achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment and the relentless dedication he brings to his training and his craft. It takes a special kind of discipline to perform at this level, and that same drive is what makes him an exceptional leader here at the station.
LT, we are honored to serve alongside you. Thank you for representing our department and our community on the world stage!

03/20/2026

🔥 Investing in Excellence: 2026 Training Update

Our team has been hitting the books—and the training grounds—hard this year! As of March 1st, our members have already logged a staggering 610 hours of training. From the classroom and the computer, to hands-on drills in the bay, and at the Regional Training Center, we are committed to staying sharp for our community.

Here is a look at what we’ve been up to so far in 2026:
• Officer Development: Lieutenant Voiles and Lieutenant Johnson successfully completed ICS 300, enhancing our command and control capabilities during complex incidents.
• Safety First: FF/EMT Boomer and Lieutenant Voiles attended the Incident Safety Officer class to earn their certifications, ensuring everyone goes home safe.
• Core Skills: Several members attended an intensive Fire Behavior class to better understand the science behind the smoke.
• The Next Generation: We have two members in the final stretch of the Fire Academy. We can’t wait to see them cross the finish line! We had one member also wrap up paramedic school.

Whether it’s medical, fire, or administrative training, every hour spent learning is an hour spent preparing to serve you better. 🚒🚑

03/19/2026

Now that the storm is past, we can return to regularly scheduled programming! Here are our February run totals - a bit quieter than last month (and last February), but still so far running fairly close to our total calls from last year. Stay safe as you continue digging out from the snow, and give our plow drivers (county and private) plenty of room when you see them!

03/16/2026

⛔️⚠️⛔️ATTENTION ⚠️⛔️⚠️

03/16/2026

If you need assistance during this winter storm, there is available aid. Just call 211.
For all emergencies please call 911.

If you or someone you know needs assistance during this winter storm, help is available through 211.

📞Call 2-1-1
📱Text your ZIP code to 898-211

Whether you need shelter, food, a place to warm up, emotional care, or help finding local resources, trained specialists have the latest information and are prepared to connect you with services in your community.

Michigan State Police | | #211 | |

03/16/2026

This Blizzard Warning has now been extended to 8 am Tuesday. The NWS is predicting another 3-6 inches of snow for Leelanau County and winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Snowplows are focusing on primary roads and response times may be extended - please stay home if you are able and stay safe!

03/16/2026

With the snow and wind we are having this weekend, the county has already had several calls for CO alarms in residences. Please check all of your exterior vents to ensure that they are clear of snow and not allowing the backup of carbon monoxide and other byproducts into your home. Please also test your CO alarms to ensure they are working properly. Thank you and stay safe!

03/16/2026

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

The NWS Ga***rd office has canceled the previous ice storm warning for Leelanau County and instead issued a Blizzard warning. Please stay off the roads if you can and stay safe!
..BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT MONDAY.....ICE STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow and sleet accumulations between 8 and 11 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Leelanau County.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with
your vehicle.

03/15/2026

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
The National Weather Service - Ga***rd office has issued an Ice Storm Warning that includes Leelanau County. Please see below for additional information and stay safe!
..ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Significant icing. Additional snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between two tenths and one half of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Prepare for possible power outages.

03/13/2026

Did you know ... that every year our employees have to have fit testing performed on their SCBA face masks?

This testing ensures that the masks fit properly and are still providing a proper seal to allow firefighters to be appropriately protected when using SCBA equipment during work in hazardous conditions. There are multiple sizes of masks, and fit testing is also used to ensure that firefighters are wearing the correct size. Masks and other SCBA equipment also have various levels of checks performed on a weekly and monthly basis and after use on an incident scene to ensure that they will function properly when needed in an emergency!

03/06/2026

Don’t just wake up an hour earlier—wake up safe. 🚒
While you’re going around the house resetting the microwave and the stove clocks, make sure you’re checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, too.
• Test: Push the button.
• Replace: If the alarm is older than 10 years, it’s time for a new one.
• Check: Ensure batteries are fresh if your model isn't the 10-year sealed version.

03/05/2026

Happy Anniversary to Probationary FF/EMT-B Nolan Zolnierek! P-FF/EMT-B Zolnierek has been with the department since 2025, and in that short time has received his EMT-B license and is currently in Fire School!

P-FF/EMT-B Zolnierek can frequently be seen around the station, working with the crew to learn all of the skills needed for the wide array of calls seen by CAFR. He will be taking his final firefighter tests later this spring and then will be busy finishing his probationary time at the station to become a full member of the department!