The Reed City Fire Department announced Thursday evening that Captain Shawn Brimmer has passed away. He was 51 years old.

Brimmer joined the Reed City Fire Department in 2009. He also served as a Corrections Officer in Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office. He served as a law enforcement officer for 21 years in Lake, Osceola and Mason Counties and came from the City of Montague.

“Go getter, hard worker,” says Reed City Fire Chief Jeffery Stein. “The one thing that we all had, we had a discussion last night, through the briefing, he loved to help our cadets. New cadets would come on board and he would be one of the first ones to jump right in and make them feel welcome.”

Brimmer was part of the training group B Side Fools and would come up with new training ideas and techniques.

“He tried to implement them in our department and several of them we used and has helped our department become what we are,” says Chief Stein. “He was a big advocate of that. He loves his training. He was also part of my personnel committee.”

This passing is particularly difficult as Brimmer is one of many emergency responders who have passed in Northern Michigan, recently. Brimmer even participated in the processions for the recent passing of another chief.

The number of deaths has taken its toll on departments.

“It is taking a toll on us, yes, not just us as Reed City Fire Department, but as the County Fire Departments, Mecosta County, in their recent loss and firefighter and chief Diehl and Newaygo County. I can go on and on. But yes, this is unfortunately hitting home, close to home, and it did hit home yesterday. We had our own,” says Stein.

Though tragic, the recent deaths show the camaraderie that exists between those in red and blue.

“We’re all brothers and sisters in this,” says Stein. “We are all emergency responders. We all have a job to do, but we all also feel a loss. And there’s no line in the sand. We’re all together in this. We’re all working together.”

The feeling of loss is mutual throughout the several counties Captain Shawn Brimmer served in.

“It’s always difficult in law enforcement,” says Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller. “We’re trained, prepared for anything that might happen. But it’s always hard when that moment comes, the unexpected and it’s personal to you. It’s been a difficult situation, but we’ll be there for one another, be there for the family, and we appreciate all the support and acknowledgment that the community has given us and it means a lot and it would mean a lot to Shawn.”

On Tuesday, the Reed City Fire Department released details on visitation and a memorial service for Captain Shawn Brimmer.

According to the fire department, visitation will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Daggett Gilbert Funeral Home, which is located at 13985 Northland Drive in Big Rapids.

A memorial service for Captain Brimmer will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Reed City High School, located at 225 W. Church Avenue in Reed City.

The fire department says an apparatus line up will start at 8 a.m. at Save-A-Lot located at 14219 Northland Drive in Big Rapids, just north of Daggett Gilbert Funeral Home.

Memorial procession will start at 8:30 a.m. and will go North on State Street, heading to Reed City High School.

Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Reed City Fire Department says parade route details will be provided at the staging area on Wednesday.

Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller states that the family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Reed City Fire Department’s Truck Fund.

For details, contact the City of Reed City at 231-832-2245.

Communities Mourning Death of Captain Shawn Brimmer

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