GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI – Grand Blanc Township Fire Chief Jamie Jent has been reinstated after being placed on administrative leave when he raised concerns about the fire department’s staffing levels.
Township Supervisor Scott Bennett confirmed Jent’s reinstatement to MLive/The Flint Journal on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Bennett declined to say when the chief will return to duty but said Jent’s reinstatement was effective on Monday, Oct. 27.
Jent will officially return to duty on Monday, Nov. 3, according to a Facebook post from the Grand Blanc Township Part-Time Firefighters Local 1137 union.
Bennett declined to share what led to Jent’s reinstatement, citing it as a personnel matter.
The news comes after dozens of community members and area firefighters showed up to support Jent at the Grand Blanc Township board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Jent was placed on administrative leave after raising concerns about the fire department’s staffing levels following the Sept. 28 shooting and fire that killed four people at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Jent told the township board that he believes in transparency and open communication, just as he said during his hiring process.
“When you hired me, I was explicit about who I am,” Jent told trustees. “… I warned them clearly, if you do not want someone who will push for operational improvements, do not hire me.”
Bennett said the township will have a presentation and board discussion on the municipality’s fire operations and budget at its next meeting on Nov. 11.
During Jent’s leave, the fire department was run by Deputy Chief Kent Maricle, who served in a similar role before Jent was hired.
Jent was hired in April 2025 after retiring from a 24-year career with the Dearborn Fire Department.
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