East Lansing Fire Wins Great Divide Car-Cutting
East Lansing's fire department beat Meridian Township's in the annual car-cutting competition, now tied 4-4 in the series since 2017.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Car Types
East Lansing fire crew won this year's Great Divide car-cutting competition against Meridian Township fire department, finishing in about 2 minutes, 6 seconds. The win marks back-to-back victories for East Lansing in the annual contest.
Why it matters
The competition is a long-running rivalry between two local fire departments and builds excitement ahead of the Michigan versus Michigan State football game. The series now stands tied 4-4 since the matchup began in 2017.
East Lansing's winning time was about 2 minutes, 6 seconds, and the Great Divide series between the two departments now stands tied 4-4 since the matchup began in 2017. The margin of victory over Meridian Township's time was not reported.
The players
East Lansing Fire Department
The municipal fire department serving East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University.
Meridian Township Fire Department
The fire department serving Meridian Township, a suburban township adjacent to East Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan.
The details
Crews prepare each car by pulling away trim and removing some seats so there is no metal other than the car being cut. The annual competition has been held since 2017 between the East Lansing and Meridian Township fire departments.
Timeline
2017 — The annual Great Divide matchup between the two departments began.
Last year (2025) — East Lansing won the prior Great Divide competition.
November 7, 2026 — East Lansing won this year's competition, its second straight win.
Roadmap
The Great Divide has run annually since 2017 as a local tradition between two Michigan fire departments, using vehicle extrication drills as a showcase of firefighting skill. This year's result extends a series now tied 4-4 and keeps the rivalry active heading into the Michigan versus Michigan State football game.
The competition showcases how crews remove trim and seats to cut through a vehicle, a practical skill for emergency extrication. Residents of East Lansing and Meridian Township see the annual event as a local tradition that builds interest ahead of the football rivalry.
The takeaway
The Great Divide shows how practical emergency training can become a community event that draws public interest. Its tied series keeps the rivalry between the two departments unresolved heading into next year's competition.
Further reading
For more on vehicle types and how they're built, explore our Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wilx.
