Plymouth Township Considers Reopening Fire Station

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI — A fire station in Plymouth Township’s north east corner could reopen later this year if funding is found for three new firefighters and a joint agreement with Northville Township can be reached. Located on Wilcox Road west of Haggerty, Plymouth Township’s No. 2 station has been closed since 2012.

Township trustees recently debated the need for the station, while fire officials are urging its reopening to reduce response times. Bringing the station back online would be particularly helpful for the large Lake Pointe subdivision, where 22 percent of all the township’s fire department runs occurred last year, Plymouth Township Fire Chief Dan Phillips said.

Phillips estimated it would cost $172,800 this year to hire three new firefighters and buy the equipment needed to reopen the station, according to a Plymouth Observer report. But he said much of the money could come from savings that followed the elimination of part-time firefighters, among other cost-cutting measures.

"We certainly have the money to open station (No.) 2 right now," Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said, the Observer reported.

But several trustees were hesitant to green-light the move. "I'm not comfortable without a spending plan," Trustee Chuck Curmi said. Curmi, Trustee Bob Doroshewitz and Treasurer Mark Clinton said they wanted to see a financial plan before moving ahead, the Observer reported.

Staffing isn’t the only issue. A joint agreement with Northville Township would help defray costs while giving Plymouth Township the benefit of newer firefighting vehicles responding to calls.

From Northville Township’s perspective, the move would help cut its response times in its southeast corner. Northville Township got a test run by using the station last summer, the Observer reported. Northville Township Fire Chief Brent Siegel said he believes the plan holds promise.

"We have been able to see the benefits in improved response time in the southeast corner of the township," Siegel told the Observer, adding that the two townships have "a great working relationship."

Both departments would help staff the fire station and provide equipment. Heise said a portion of township’s $4 million budget surplus could be used to help pay for the move. Heise told the newspaper it’s unclear when the issue of hiring new firefighters and approving a joint agreement with Northville Township might occur.

Photo courtesy of Plymouth Township.