No more pole

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Local firefighters used to sliding down a traditional firehouse pole will soon have a new way to get to their trucks from their third-floor quarters -- a plastic, spiral slide.

Officials hope it will reduce the number of ankle, knee and lower back injuries that were caused by sliding down the pole and making contact with the ground, fire Capt. Andy Theisen told the Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant for a Wednesday story.

The slide will be part of an addition to Mount Pleasant's public safety building, which is scheduled to house the fire department starting next month.