Family Legacy Continues as New Firefighters Join Cedar Springs
- Jake Watson
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Cedar Springs welcomed two new firefighters to the department during the Tuesday, Aug. 13, City Council meeting, continuing the city’s effort to strengthen its emergency response team.
Cristy Tracy and Ayden Crouch were sworn into service by City Clerk April Decess during the meeting. Both Tracy and Crouch have successfully completed their firefighting certification and will be testing soon to obtain their medical first responder (MFR) certification.
For Crouch, the moment carried special family significance. Crouch is the grandson of City Councilor and former Cedar Springs Fire Chief Jerry Gross. As a fourth-generation firefighter, Crouch is continuing a family legacy of service to the community.
During the meeting, Gross was given the honor of badging in his grandson.
“It means a lot,” Crouch said after the meeting. “To follow in the footsteps of my grandfather, my dad, my mom, my uncle, and to be able to give back to the community. It just really means a lot.”
The addition of Tracy and Crouch comes just two months after two other firefighters were sworn into the department, marking continued growth for the Cedar Springs Fire Department.
The city currently has an active roster of 16 firefighters, but officials say the need for more paid on-call responders remains. As the population grows in and around Cedar Springs, the demand for residents willing to answer emergency calls continues to increase.
The department is still looking for additional firefighters to join its ranks and help serve the community.
The latest swearing-in was a reminder of the dedication and family traditions that have long been part of the Cedar Springs community.
