The Review Magazine Summer 2025

Pictured from left to right: Lieutenant Don Hanson; former cadets and current firefighters, Lukas Herrick and Thomas Bruning; Cadet Maximus Herrick; full-time firefighter and the program’s first-ever cadet, Jacob Ulman; Cadets Joel Ulman and Ellie Hanson; Lieutenant Dean Ulman; Chief Steve Masich; and Assistant Chief Jeff Seyfried.

"I love seeing the communication between the cadets and our veteran firefighters," beamed Chief Masich. "The way the cadets look up to the veterans, and the cadets soak up all [their] knowledge . . . this gives us the best side of our youth, and positivity for the Tawas City fire department's future." The program has been implemented at no additional cost to the City. The existing firefighters provide the training, and funds for special gear for the cadets were donated by a citizen. It is overseen by the TCFD and the city manager. “This program allows us to create our own succession plan,

while giving our youth experience working in the public sector. We're excited about the success of our program and would like to share it with others,” said City Manager Annge Horning. January 2025 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Tawas City Firefighter Cadet program.

Kim Cekola is a research specialist/editor for the League. You may contact Kim at 734-669-6321 or kcekola@mml.org.

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