06/10/2026
After analyzing our incident data, we found that approximately 39% of our calls overlap with another active incident. With a minimum staffing level of four personnel—two crews of two firefighters each—this means that nearly 40% of the time, both crews are committed to emergency responses, leaving no available personnel for additional medical emergencies or fire incidents within the township.
In those situations, we must rely entirely on mutual aid agencies for coverage, which can significantly increase response times—often by 10 minutes or more, depending on unit availability and location. This is especially concerning given modern fire behavior. Due to changes in building materials and home furnishings, residential fires can reach flashover conditions in as little as 3 to 5 minutes, compared to approximately 17 to 20 minutes several decades ago. Those additional response minutes can have a substantial impact on life safety, property conservation, and firefighter effectiveness.
Additionally, our department is currently experiencing nearly a 13% increase in call volume compared to the same period last year and is on pace to exceed 2,000 incidents this year. As demand for emergency services continues to grow, increasing staffing levels is not simply beneficial—it is essential to maintaining effective emergency response and ensuring the safety of our residents and firefighters.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 248-887-8688 or email Chief George at [email protected]
