Thursday, May 9, 2013
The department will see a decrease of approximately $574,500 for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Dearborn Fire Department's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year will remain relatively unchanged. Dearborn Chief Joseph Murray presented the department's budget to the city council at a work session on Tuesday. The proposed budget includes roughly $19.1 million in expenses, a decrease of $574,522 from the current fiscal year. Some of the big ticket items include $17.2 million for combined salary and benefits for the department's 121 firefighters, $123,587 for rentals, and $360,700 for supplies and materials. According to James O'Connor, Dearborn's director of finance, the DFD budget makes up 19 percent of the city's general fund budget. O'Connor said the department requested $35,000 in direct subsidy funds from the city to replace …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The cause of a home fire in the 4100 block of Bingham Road is under investigation.
Dearborn firefighters fought a small house house fire at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Capt. Dave Lambrix, acting batallion chief, said the fire was started in a bungalow in the 4100 block of Bingham Road. Lambrix said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The homeowners were at the house when the fire started, however no injuries were reported. He said crews from Dearborn Fire Station 1 and 4 responded and had the fire under control within a half hour. "The men were able to put the fire out in a timely manner," he said. The amount of damage to the home was unknown as of this posting.
Friday, April 26, 2013
The proposal will decrease response times for both communities and provide more personnel for emergencies.
The Dearborn City Council received its first comprehensive look at a proposed merger between the city's fire department and Melvindale on Wednesday. Fire Chief Joseph Murray outlined the plan prior to the council's budget meeting with Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. "The goals of consolidating are to improve the services to both communties, reduce costs, and to eliminate some redundancy," Murray said. "Consolidating with Melvindale makes a lot of geographic sense." Under the plan, Melvindale would pay Dearborn $1.45 million annually, which includes $1.3 million in operating costs and $150,000 that would go into a capital reserve fund to cover major vehicle repairs and vehicle replacements. The operating costs would pay for salaries and general…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Firefighters are investigating a fire that caused more than $100,00 in damage.
Dearborn firefighters responded to a home fire on South Morrow Circle between Jonathan and Esper streets on Monday. Battalion Chief Kevin Boyer said the department was dispatched to the home around 2:50 p.m. Upon arrival, flames were spotted emitting from the back bedroom and onto a backyard patio. Boyer said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The homeowner was at the residence at the time of the fire, however no injuries were reported, he said. "The fire was contained to the back bedroom," Boyer said. "Luckily the guys were able to get to the house quickly." Boyer said he estimates the damage to the home at roughly $100,000. Three engine companies, two rescue trucks, a ladder truck and a command vehicle responded to the fire …
Friday, April 19, 2013
The city was awarded a $264,500 grant from the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program on Thursday.
The proposed merger between the Dearborn and Melvindale fire departments received a big boost of support this week from the Michigan Department of Treasury. Dearborn was one of 11 Michigan communities to receive funding through the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program, which allocates money to municipalities to offset costs related to the consolidation or sharing of services between local units of government. “This program has proved to be very popular among municipalities looking to get the most out of their resources by partnering with other units of government,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a press release. “The Department of Treasury reviewed dozens of applications for this initial round of funding for 2013 and to be selected, …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Dearborn firefighters helped extinguish a fire in a two-family home after lightning struck the building on Tuesday.
A two-family home in Dearborn suffered minor structural damage from a lightning strike on Tuesday evening, Dearborn Fire Department officials said. Batallion Chief Andy Lanahm said firefighters were dispatched to the 6200 block of Ternes Street around 6 p.m. after a lightning strike caused a fire to break out in the attic of the house. Lanahm said the house was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. He said the smoke and fire damage were contained to an upper flat. "We were notified thanks to the quick thinking of a neighbor, who saw smoke coming from the roof," he said. Firefighters were also dispatched to a single-family home on Argyle Street near the intersection of Ruby and Ford Road around 10 p.m. after …
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Witnesses say a man driving a white SUV and another younger man driving a black car collided at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Outer Drive.
Two drivers reportedly were hospitalized Friday after a serious accident in Dearborn. A man driving a white SUV and another younger man driving a black car collided at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Outer Drive, near Park Street, witnesses told the Dearborn Free Press. [Did you witness the accident? Leave a comment!] Photos on the website show the Dearborn Fire Department responded to the wreck, which destroyed the black car, smashed the front end of the SUV and scattered debris across the roadway. ”When I got to Park Place at 5:00 pm, the Firefighters were trying to get the driver out of the black car. It took them a while to get that person out," Colette Richards told the Dearborn Free Press. "It looked like there were 4 cars involved in the…
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Local firefighters climbed the steps of Detroit's Renaissance Center to raise money for the American Lung Association.
Dearborn firefighters took on 70 flights of stairs, wearing more than 50 pounds of gear, and all for one purpose: to help more people breathe easier. The Fight for Air Climb took place Sunday at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Firefighters and individuals from Dearborn and beyond took part in the walk, which raised funds for the American Lung Association. As an added challenge, Dearborn firefighters did the climb while wearing their full gear. Dearborn participants included firefighters Corey Silas, Wael Gharbie, Daniel Morse, Jeff Powell and Steve Worden. The March 3 climb raised nearly $230,000 for the ALA. The Dearborn Firefighters team raised $350.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Applications for the program are currently being accepted.
Young adults with a drive to become a firefighter can get first-hand experience with one of the best teams in Michigan, now that the Dearborn Fire Department is starting up its cadet program again. Firefighter Mike Mattern—who was a cadet with Dearborn's department more than a decade ago—helped to get the program up and running again in the past few years, and is ready to start recruiting again. "It kind of went by the wayside," he explained. "When I interviewed for Dearborn, they asked if I'd be interested in doing it." Mattern said he's enjoyed leading the program that helped him on his way to his career, as have other Dearborn firefighters. "Past cadets will be helping out with it," he added. "They went through the program, so it helps…
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Seven Dearborn officers and firefighters who lost their lives while serving will have their names on the wall.
A memorial to be erected this year will honor fallen first responders from fire and police departments across Wayne County. An unveiling was held Tuesday at Warren Valley Banquet Center in Dearborn Heights, where Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano joined mayors, as well as fire and police personnel, for the announcement. “This memorial will stand as a beautiful tribute to honor and remember those brave men and women, whom, while on-duty for a Wayne County Community, selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve us all,” Ficano said. "We hope we never have to add another name after today," he added. Construction is slated to run May 1 through September for the memorial, which will sit at the corner of Hines Drive and …
edward binkley
4:46 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
before anything is cut i think you all should rethink this and look back at the ordinance that was voted in concerning the police officers and the fire department that the voters approved in last years election especially with your merge with melvindale is there is one.and how are we gonna get paid from them. more ›