BY MIKE KILLLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
GRAND BLANC TWP. (CCN) — After an explosive 911 call was exposed on Tuesday's Morning Gazette Radio Show, residents packed into the Grand Blanc Township Hall later that same evening (Oct. 28, 2025) to support embattled Fire Chief Jamie Jent.
A 911 call about the massive fire in Grand Blanc Township on
BY MIKE KILLLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
GRAND BLANC TWP. (CCN) — After an explosive 911 call was exposed on Tuesday's Morning Gazette Radio Show, residents packed into the Grand Blanc Township Hall later that same evening (Oct. 28, 2025) to support embattled Fire Chief Jamie Jent.
A 911 call about the massive fire in Grand Blanc Township on Sept. 28 at Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints indicated that the fire department did not have "anybody else to send" to fight the fire which turned out to be the scene of a mass shooting that left four people dead and eight injured.
The Morning Gazette Radio Show had reported last week that Chief Jent had been placed on administrative leave, quoting anonymous but reliable sources.
A social media statement appeared "on behalf of Grand Blanc Township" within minutes after a similar report on a newscast by Metro Flint News/Talk Radio prior to Friday's Morning Gazette Radio Show story. The statement claimed erroneous assertions had been made by Chief Jent about his department being short-staffed. The statement, which was not attributed to any individual elected official or administration member, included a comment by Deputy Fire Chief Kent Miracle that staffing levels and equipment were proper.
The explosive 91 call contradicted what was written in the statement on behalf of the township.
Grand Blanc Supervisor Scott Bennett responded within an hour with another social media comment — this time saying Chief Jent had been taken off administrative leave. It was the first official confirmation by any township official that The Morning Gazette story last week was indeed true about reliable sources contending that Chief Jent would be fired on Tuesday at the board meeting after being placed on administrative leave.
No resolution to fire Chief Jent was placed on the agenda and no talk about it took place Tuesday after dozens of residents praised the dedication and professionalism of Chief Jent since becoming the department's leader last April and after the 911 call was aired on The Morning Gazette Radio Show.
"It's pretty embarrassing to the township after placing him on administrative leave after he essentially told the truth," said Mundy Township Supervisor Jennifer Arrand Stainton who taped the 911 exchange after noticing Mundy Township fire trucks racing toward what she would later learn was the church on McClandlish Road.
Chief Jent told board members and a big crowd Tuesday that staffing levels are "not safe" and in violation of federal requirements. He stressed that he refused to go along with an Oct. 10 edict that he support township board decisions to present an united front to the public.
"I won't break the law," Chief Jent said.
about refusing the idea of making false statements to support the board's position. "I won't lie to the residents," he added.
Chief Lent has been pushing for better staffing levels and better equipment.
He said Township Superintendent Dennis Liimatta has said no more money will be budgeted for the fire department despite the low staffing levels in violation of federal guidelines for the safety of firefighters and residents.
Residents, fire fighters and union leaders (including from other cities) paraded to the podium to make statements in support of Chief Jent during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Supervisor Bennett began the meeting by reading a statement, saying the board intends to look into operations at the fire department at a later date.
He interrupted several speakers when their comments caused the audience to erupt into clapping. "That won't be allowed," Bennett said about the clapping on several occasions.
One resident also accused Bennett of "shutting off comments on his Facebook page" to prevent negative opinions about his position on the fire department situation from being presented to the public.
Bennett has not responded to a request last week for a comment from CCN.
RELATED STORIES:
Editor's Notebook Column in Grand Blanc Press After Packed House to Support Chief Jent
Editor's Notebook Column Before Meeting
Click here to listen to a podcast of The Morning Gazette Radio Show About Packed House
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Grand Blanc Township Fire Chief Jamie Jent addressing his board of trustees on Tuesday.
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