Dearborn Heights Fire Chief David Brogan (center) poses with Tri-Town Fire Chief Kevin Marino (left) and Capt. Brian Sukarukoff near the 1994 Pierce pumper the DHFD donated to the northern Michigan department.
HEIGHTS – The Mio-based Tri Town Fire Department was the recipient of a much-needed fire truck Sept. 12, a donation from the Dearborn Heights Fire Department.
The truck, a 1994 Pierce pumper, recently was decommissioned by the DHFD as it was no longer needed due to being replaced with newer vehicles. Due to its age, the 30-year-old truck held nearly no commercial value, and attempts to sell it were unsuccessful.
Chief Dave Brogan recently learned of the northern Michigan department’s need for another truck, and put the wheels in motion to donate the truck to them.
“The Tri-Town Department was in critical need of another vehicle, and we simply had no further need for this one” Brogan said. “It was a perfect arrangement, and I was delighted we were able to help”.
Based in Oscoda County, the Tri-Town Department serves parts of three townships, covering a territory of over 194 square miles. By comparison, Dearborn Heights is approximately 12 square miles. Their staff of 14 paid-on-call firefighters was forced to cover this large area with just one pumper, as their second pumper was recently taken out of service due to extensive mechanical issues – rendering it unable to pass the National Fire Protection Association and Department of Transportation safety inspections.
Along with just one functioning pumper, the department also has two tenders (water tank vehicles), and two smaller wildland engines – which are typically used for grass and wildfires.
“With an extremely tight budget, they were not in a position to purchase another truck – putting them in a tight situation” Brogan said.
Following approval by the City Council to make the donation, the administrative and legal steps were finalized to facilitate the transition during a visit by Tri-Town Chief Kevin Marino and Capt. Brian Sukarukoff.
“We were delighted we were able to help another department with their needs” Brogan said. “It will serve as a valuable and much-needed resource for our fellow firefighters, it will help enhance their safety and the safety of the communities they serve, and it meant a new lease on life for our old Number 41 pumper. It was — and still is — a great truck, and we wish our Tri-Town colleagues many more years of good and safe service with it.”