Niles Township firefighters earn state certification
Two Niles Charter Township firefighters became state certified Thursday at a ceremony at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds.
Niles Township firefighters Christopher DiCostanzo, left, and Nichole VanderWerf received state certification Thursday. Chief Gary Brovold stands between them.
Submitted photo
Christopher DiCostanzo and Nichole VanderWerf were presented with their Michigan State Certification for Firefighter I/II, which requires 227 hours.
Fire Chief Gary Brovold said the process started last year and lasted approximately eight months.
Firefighters also received state certification for hazardous material operations, driver’s training, and national incident management system-incident command for the fire service. This brings the total certified firefighters in Niles Charter Township to 31.
Niles Charter Township averages more than 450 response calls per year and has been in existence since 1953.
The township is Berrien County’s largest and covers 42 square miles, serving a portion of Milton Township in Cass County.
The department serves the community from two fire stations.
