Man recklessly operating a vehicle falsely labeled as an emergency responder also had an uncased pistol.



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April 16, 2025
Contact: Lt. Jim Gorno <[email protected]>, 231-350-0963

Lewiston man will proceed to trial for impersonating emergency responders

Douglas Allen Smith, 66, from Lewiston pleaded not guilty to four charges related to impersonating an emergency responder in the Montmorency County 88th District Court on Friday.

Smith faces one misdemeanor charge for the unlawful use of fire department/emergency medical services emblems and three felony charges, including:


* Impersonating firefighter/EMS personnel.
* Possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.
* Carrying a concealed weapon.

On Feb. 18, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer was patrolling in Albert Township when he was passed by what appeared to be a fire emergency vehicle. The vehicle, operated by Smith, had the words “Search and Rescue” on the side, a loud siren, and active red, white and blue emergency lights.

In Michigan, red and white emergency lights are used for emergency vehicles, while only law enforcement vehicles display blue lights.

The vehicle was recklessly traveling at a high speed around cars and through intersections.

The CO confirmed with Montmorency County Dispatch that there was not an active fire or EMS call in the county.

Smith pulled into the parking lot of Lewiston Fun Ones, a closed venue located on County Road 489, where the CO conducted a traffic stop.

Smith told the officer he was, “going to a call,” but it was called off.  

The CO verified that Smith was not affiliated with any emergency response agency in Michigan and located an uncased pistol in the front of the vehicle.

A warrant request was submitted to the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office for the above-listed charges. Smith was arrested on March 21 for those charges and released when his bond was paid. A future court date will be determined.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety, and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers [ [link removed] ] and follow the weekly blog [ [link removed] ] with updates from the conservation officer recruits in Training Academy No. 13, underway now in Lansing.




"Following severe ice storms in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails. Find up-to-date information about closures, volunteer opportunities and more" "on the DNR storm recovery page [ [link removed] ]."

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