Description[]
The Farmington Department of Public Safety is a combination Public Safety Department (Police, Fire, and EMS) serving the City of Farmington, Michigan in Oakland County. It is bordered by Farmington Hills and Livonia, serving a 2.6 square mile response district of approximately 10,000 residents.
The department is staffed by full time Public Safety Officers and supplemented by paid on call reserve firefighters (Trained to Firefighter 1/2, Hazmat Ops, Certified Pump Operator). Reserves are called for service for structure fires, fires with exposure, hazmat events, inclement weather and other emergencies.
Department History[]
(Work in Progress, chronicle of history is still being researched)
The Farmington Department of Public Safety started as separate entities in the late 1800's. Farmington Police and Fire Departments had their own Chief's and followed different policies than they do today.
Early Farmington Fire Department[]
Farmington Fire department started as a volunteer Hook and Ladder Company with a civilian bucket brigade. The first recorded discussion of forming an official fire department was noted in a 1909 Farmington Enterprise article describing the events of a townhall meeting for the formation of the Farmington Fire Company. In this meeting, it was decided that the citizens would be divided into two companies. The Chief appointed thirteen citizens to be responsible for the chemical engine, and the remaining citizens would be tasked with being on the Hook & Ladder and Bucket Brigade. All residents when responding to a fire were expected to bring a pail. [1]
Fire Alarm System[]
The earliest record of fire alerting systems in Farmington is on August 23rd, 1918 when it was stated that "the fire whistle at the water works" was sounded for a structure fire. [2] The fire alarm whistle would be activated by a person who saw the smoke or fire, ran to the waterworks, and pulled the cord on the alarm system. The firefighters would then respond from the station in the apparatus and from home to the scene of the fire. It wasn't until April of 1920 when it was recommended to replace the alarm with an electric siren at the Fire Hall. [3]
Purchase of the Waterous Fire Engine[]
A large number of major fires were fought in this fashion up until the early 1900's with the purchase of a small Chemical Fire Engine. It wasn't The Chemical Engine would be used to support firefighting operations with the Hook and Ladder Co. and the Bucket Brigade until May 14th, 1920 when the Waterous Fire Engine was delivered to Farmington.[4]
Purchase of the 1928 LaFrance Fire Engine[]
With Farmington being the primary mutual aid response company for the cities of Novi, Southfield, Northville, Farmington Township, and Birmingham, Farmington sought to expand its fleet of fire apparatus for its fire protection needs. In April of 1928 it was announced that the city would be purchasing a new LaFrance engine for the price of $10,500. The truck would meet the following specifications.
- 600 GPM
- 60 Gallon Booster Tank
- 85 Horsepower
- 55 - 60 MPH Top Speed
- 2 x Roof Ladders
- 1 x 24 Foot Extension Ladder
- 2 x Chemical Fire Extinguishers
The new fire engine presented new problems which led to changes in the department structure and modernization of the fire hall leading to upstairs living quarters for the volunteer firefighters on duty. The engine was in the city for less than one week when it responded for its first call for service to the 500 block of Grand River for a roof fire of a private residence. In purchasing this engine, it was determined by the Fire Commissioner that a dedicated team of volunteers trained in its operation was needed, as well as a position trained in the maintenance and care of the engine would need to be established.
The new engine also created problems for neighboring Farmington Township (now known as Farmington Hills). Up until 1930, Farmington City still owned and operated it's small Chemical Engine for response to the rural areas of Farmington Township, Birmingham, Novi, Northville, and Southfield. But in September of 1930, Farmington City sold the Chemical Engine to the Oak Park Fire Department located to the East of Farmington. The new LaFrance engine was too large and not suited for rural firefighting, so the offer was made to Farmington Township to purchase a newer Chemical Engine and house it at the Farmington City Fire Department. The Farmington Firefighters would then use it in its response to any alarms in the Township at the rate of $50 per call, an increase of $30 per call to match the rates being charged to surrounding municipalities by Farmington.
Notable Fires[]
Wednesday, October 9th, 1872[]
In the early morning hours, a fire occurred which destroyed most of downtown Farmington in the heart of the village. This is the earliest and worst fire recorded on record. The buildings destroyed were a dwelling and shoe shop, owned by Miss Lester, the shop being occupied by ----- Saxton; a store, owned by P. Dean Warner, and occupied by Porter Shepard; a small wooden building, owned and occupied by Miss Pierman as a millinery-store; the stone stores of W. B. Selby and Oliver B. Smith, the latter being occupied by Dr. E. Woodman; a blacksmith-shop, and a barn and carriage house in the rear.[5] This is known as the fire that changed the face of Farmington forever and destroyed all records prior to 1872.
Monday, July 5th, 1909[]
The Chemical Engine and Bucket brigade were used to fight a fire on July 5th, 1909. At 1200 hrs the family of L. W. Sowle were sitting down for lunch when a fire was discovered in the barn behind the house being fanned by wind. The alarm was given and within a few minutes the fire company and citizen volunteers were on scene to do what they could to save furniture and put out the fire. With the wind speed and direction, it was determined that the residence and store to the north of the structure were in the fire path. Furniture was removed from the two structures and then firefighting measures were taken. The next house to the north was occupied and evacuated of life and furniture. No citizens were harmed in the fire.
Wednesday, September 7th, 1927[]
On September 7th, 1927, Farmington Fire Department received a mutual aid call from Novi Fire Department for a multiple alarm field fire. On Nine Mile Rd, three miles west of Farmington City. Farmington Fire Department, Northville Fire Department, and Novi Fire Departments responded. The only reported victims of the fire were two heads of cattle, and a family dog. The citizens occupying the structure were rescued and the structure and adjacent barn was saved from being destroyed by the blaze.
Wednesday, September 6th, 1933[]
On September 6th, 1933 the Farmington Fire Department responded for a report of a brush fire that was reported immediately East of Farmington Rd and South of Grand River downtown. The fire was put out within 15 minutes by Farmington City firefighters and required the use of handlines, grass brooms, and axes. The fire, if not contained, would have easily made it through the field and would have been able to ignite the businesses on the south side of Grand River.
Farmington Fire Department Today[]
Today, Farmington Fire Department is known better as Farmington Department of Public Safety, one of many Public Safety Departments in the State of Michigan. Farmington responds to an average of four fire calls per week, promoting its high level of fire safety and prevention. An all call is issued on average once per month, and an average of two to six structure fires per year.
In 2021, Farmington upgraded from Scott SCBA's to MSA G1 SCBAS with two RIT rescue bags.
In 2023, Farmington upgraded it's radio system with the rest of the state to the P800 UHF encoded network. This required the engines to be refit, as well as new radios and pagers to be issued to the Farmington Officers.
Area Served[]
Mutual Aid[]
The City of Farmington is a member of MABAS Division 3201, responding to Oakland County, Michigan.
Former Coverage Area (Early 1900's)[]
- Birmingham, Michigan - Mutual Aid Partner
- Farmington, Michigan
- Farmington Township, Michigan
- Novi, Michigan - Mutual Aid Partner
- Northville, Michigan - Mutual Aid Partner
- Southfield, Michigan
Apparatus Roster[]
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
Fire Station - 23600 Liberty Street[]
- Engine 1 - 2025 Pierce Saber (1500/750) (SN#42390)
- Ladder 1 - 1998 Spartan / LTI (?/750/75' rear-mount)
- Engine 2 - 2010 HME Ahrens-Fox (1500/1000) (Ex-Engine 1)
Retired Apparatus[]
- 1994 Pierce Dash (?/750) (SN#E8399) (Ex-Engine 2)
- 1983 Ford C-8000 / Pierce aerial (1250/500/65' rear-mount ladder) (Ex-Engine 1)
- 197? Mack pumper (?/?/?' TeleSqurt) (Ex-Engine 2)
- 195? GMC 400 pumper (Ex-Engine 1)
- 1920 Waterous Self Propelled Fire Engine (250GPM)(Still under historical research) [4] - (Delivered May 14, 1920)
- 1928 LaFrance pumper (6 Cylinder/85HP/60/600GPM) (Still under historical research)
- 189? Chemical engine (Still under historical research) - (Sold to Oak Park Fire Department, September 1930)
References[]
- ↑ Lee, Frank H. “Fire Department.” The Farmington Enterprise, 22 Jan. 1909, pp. 5–5.
- ↑ Lord, W. E., editor. “Fire Alarm Monday.” The Farmington Enterprise, 23 Aug. 1918, pp. 1–1.
- ↑ President, The Village. “Proposed New Fire Equipment.” The Farmington Enterprise, 2 Apr. 1920, pp. 1–1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Perkins, P. L., editor. “NEW FIRE ENGINE IS HERE NOW.” The Farmington Enterprise, 14 May 1920, pp. 1–1.
- ↑ Willyard, John. “The Fire of 1872.” 1877 History of Farmington Township, Michigan, Farmington Hills Historical Commission, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 1999, pp. 14–14. Accessed 2024.