The holidays were especially joyful for Michaela and Dave Robbins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, because they received the best gift of their lives in December.
After the couple decided to adopt a child, they spent four long years searching for the perfect fit for their family. Then a special boy came into their lives and stole their hearts forever!
On their journey to parenthood, Dave and Michaela volunteered to rock babies at the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center. That’s how they first crossed paths with Noah.
They immediately clicked with the then 4-year-old, who has arthrogryposis. The condition affects his spine and legs and also left his limbs in a permanently bent position. When they heard he’d been in the foster care system for 1,275 days, they knew it was a sign as did Noah!
sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
Alpena Fire Capt. Tim Slosser, left, and firefighter Dan Hibner wash a fire truck at Alpena Township s north side fire station on Tuesday. The city is providing staff to help the township through an employee shortage in its department.
ALPENA With only two full-time firefighters working for the Alpena Township south side fire station, township trustees this week wondered what would happen if one or both of them became ill or injured.
Fire Chief Dave Robbins said that, right now, there are no concrete plans to address that possibility and his belief is that the Alpena Fire Department or other neighboring townships would help if needed.
sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News File Photo
Alpena Township Fire Capt. John Clements gets ready to climb out of a fire truck after returning from the scene of a car crash in this December 2020 News archive photo.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP The Alpena Township Board of Trustees has taken its initial steps to restructure and rebuild the township fire department after finding itself severely short-staffed at the end of 2020.
The shortage, caused by a wave of retirements and employees leaving for other jobs, meant long hours for the two remaining full-time firefighters, already resulting in one missed response to a medical emergency, officials said. The township has contracted with the city to fill in for the next six months, but city crews weren’t yet on the job when the call was missed.
ALPENA, Mich. The Charter Township of Alpena’s Fire Department will be left with a staffing crisis to start 2021 if no action is taken.
After a series of retirements and resignations, the Township’s Fire Chief Dave Robbins has one full time employee besides himself in the department. On Tuesday, Dec. 22 representatives from the city, township, and both fire departments met to discuss possible resolutions.
The recommended solution includes the City of Alpena’s Fire Department sending staff over to the Township’s North Station, while allowing Chief Robbins and his full-time employee to staff the South Station. The city would be responsible for any emergencies in the North Alpena Township area.
sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News File Photo
Alpena Fire Department vehicles wait outside a bay at the Alpena Public Safety Building in this News File Photo.
ALPENA Alpena and Alpena Township are considering a plan that could help the township avoid a severe staffing shortage and keep the township’s south side fire station open.
Representatives from the city and township met Tuesday to discuss three options that would have the city temporarily man one of the township’s two fire stations and provide response coverage in a portion of the township, officials said in a news release.
A special joint meeting of the township Board of Trustees and the Alpena Municipal Council will be held at 6 p.m. Monday and residents of both municipalities are encouraged to make public comment on the issue.