OKEMOS - The Great Divide competition between the Meridian Township Fire Department and East Lansing Fire Department returned to Meridian Township on Friday, October 28 at Home Depot in Okemos.

The event went from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm and food and beverages were available to everyone in attendance. The Michigan State University cheer team as well as the Williamston High School Marching Band kicked off the event by marching around the store. East Lansing Fire had a two year win streak from 2018 - 2019.

This is the first time in two years the competition has been held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to see which fire department could cut a car in half using a battery-operated reciprocating saw. Each team consisted of four firefighters each.

Ken Phinney, the Meridian Township Battalion Chief, feels that the competition is also a training session. “As far as extrications go, the department would use the jaws of life and other tools we can use, but the saw is a great tool to use for this and it's amazing how easily a car can be cut apart if you know what you're doing with it.”

Phinney has been in this competition since the beginning and says, “It was great, it was fun, I enjoyed it. It’s great to have East Lansing here with us and the crews that we’ve had have been phenomenal.”

The Meridian Township Fire Department came out on top with a time of two minutes and ten seconds. Congratulations to them, the sponsors, and everyone who participated!

Watch the full video recap below and view the photos from the event.