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Posted: Sep 29, 2025

Another Metro Detroit (MI) City Pursuing Bond for FD Upgrades

Max Bryan
The Detroit News
(TNS)

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated how much Troy taxpayers would pay for every $1,000 of assessed property value if the bond passes.

Troy — For the first time in more than two and a half decades, Oakland County’s largest city is seeking a property tax increase to make what city officials said are needed public infrastructure improvements, including a new library nearly double the current one.

Voters in Troy will decide Nov. 4 whether to approve a 1.1327 mill property tax increase, which would allow the city to borrow up to $137 million in bonds that would be paid back over 20 years. The bond money would be used to build a new library, improve parks and recreation facilities, rehabilitate roads, and replace fire engines and police body cameras.

Troy currently has a combined millage of 9.8640 for operational costs, capital projects, and refuse and library services, according to city records. The increase would constitute just under $1.10 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

That means a Troy homeowner with a taxable value of $175,000 would on pay an average of $198 more per year in taxes.

If the proposed millage were to pass, it would be the city’s first increase since 1999, said Troy Mayor Ethan Baker. The city would have tried to pass the bond proposal a few years earlier if the Troy School District hadn’t had its own bond proposal at the time, the mayor said.

“There’s no question that those communities in Oakland County and Metro Detroit that were built up heavily over the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are facing a time when their buildings are in disrepair to some level and more funds are needed to bring everything up to the standard that our residents are expecting,” Baker said.

Troy, Oakland County’s largest city with about 88,000 residents, is the latest Metro Detroit to ask voters to approve bond proposals to pay for infrastructure and other updates — with mixed results.

Novi voters approved a $120 million bond in the August primary to build a new public safety headquarters, rebuild two fire stations and renovate a third over 25 years. But in Livonia, voters soundly rejected a $150 million bond proposal to pay for a new police station, fire station renovations, fire station upgrades and public green space.

Livonia’s measure failed by a two-to-one margin, with some critics saying the city was asking for too much at once.

Baker said the regional push for public projects funded by tax bonds is coincidental, but not surprising.

An estimated three-quarters of bond proposals in southeast Michigan pass at the ballot box, said Michael Spence, the government affairs manager for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. Communities are more likely to successfully pass a millage increase if they’re specific about what the tax dollars will do, Spence said. Bond renewals are more successful at the ballot box compared with new bond packages like the one in Troy, he added.

Baker said he and other city officials expect a number of “no” votes on the millage increase. But he also believes there’s a “comfortable majority” of Troy residents who are willing to pay more for enhanced services and infrastructure. There is no organized opposit

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Posted: Sep 29, 2025

Department Replaces Bronto Aerial with Midmount Platform

The Surprise (AZ) Fire-Medical Department runs a dozen engines, a rescue, a hazmat truck, a ladder tender, and seven ambulances, but only a single aerial. The department has a coverage area of 110-square-miles and a population of 145,000.

The department wanted an aerial truck that was more versatile than its then-current Bronto, so after investigation, it chose Ladder Tower to build it a 93-foot midmount aerial platform.

The platform has a parapet ladder as well as a rope rescue fixture and a Stokes basket harness.

“We were replacing a 114-foot Bronto aerial,” says Captain Doug Richards, “and because we only have one aerial in the city, we determined that a platform would be much more versatile for us to work off of. Our city has mostly four-story mid-rise buildings, but also a pretty large industrial park with a lot of large warehouses and multimillion-square-foot industrial and storage buildings, so we knew we needed to have a platform style aerial.”

Richards continues, “In addition, we wanted to stay with a Spartan chassis, because we have 12 of them on our SVI engines, and the Spartan chassis would provide consistency in the new aerial for our mechanics. Plus, we also wanted the rig with no pump or water tank, which would allow it to have plenty of compartment space.”

A TFT Monsoon monitor is located on the platform along with a TFT VUM with two 2½-inch discharges.

Nick Hummel, director of sales for Spartan Emergency Response (ER), which has the Ladder Tower brand as a REV Fire Group division, says the rig it built for Surprise is a 93-foot midmount aerial platform on a Spartan Gladiator medium four-door (MFD) cab and chassis with a 10-inch raised roof and an Advanced Occupant Protection System in the cab. Hummel notes the wheelbase on the truck is 235 inches, its overall length is 46 feet 2 inches, and its overall height is 10 feet 8 inches.

Tim Burkhart, regional sales manager for Spartan ER, who sold the aerial platform to the fire department, points out that the rig has a 605-horsepower (hp) Cummins X15 engine, an Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmission, and is “a straight truck with no pump or water tank, but has a prepiped waterway with two 4-inch inlets with electric valves.”

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Posted: Sep 29, 2025

After Two-Year Process, TN Fire Department Pushes in Its Newest Acquisition

The Mount Carmel (TN) Fire Department recently celebrated the end of a two-year process when it pushed in its newest apparatus acquisition, a 2013 Sutphen ladder truck.

Mount Carmel’s government and fire department worked with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to receive a Community Development Block Grant for nearly $400,000, timesnews.net reported. The city kicked in $120,000 toward the rig, the report said.

The 90-foot ladder truck, which will be known as Tower 18, was purchased from the West Fargo (ND) Fire Department, according to a city press release.

“This is more than just a (push-in) ceremony—it’s a moment of pride for our firefighters, our town, and our residents,” said Chief Mitch Walker. “Thanks to the support of the CDBG program, we now have the tools we need to better protect our community.”

Mayor John Gibson added, “This ladder truck strengthens our fire department’s ability to respond to emergencies and reflects our commitment to keeping Mount Carmel safe and prepared for the future.”

“Approximately two years ago, we identified the need to replace our ladder truck,” the fire department posted on Facebook. “We began searching for funding mechanisms to allow us to replace it without placing a huge burden on the town and citizens. Our members began the huge task of working to obtain a Community Development Block Grant. Many Mount Carmel residents may remember us going door-to-door, standing in the carpool line, and handing out the surveys at city hall. All of that work lead to this.

“Once awarded the grant we began the hunt to locate the truck for us, within budget. We were able to find the apparatus pictured below. A 2013 Sutphen 90-foot aerial with minimal use.

“This apparatus will serve Mount Carmel and the surrounding areas for years to come. We appreciate the hard work of all our members, Mount Carmel BMA, City Hall staff, and most importantly our citizens for bringing this to reality.

“Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in the push in event, we truly appreciate you.”

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Posted: Sep 29, 2025

Recent Apparatus Orders: Sept. 2025

FLORIDA

SUTPHEN—Estero Fire District aerial ladder quint. Monarch cab and chassis with 10-inch raised roof; Cummins X10 MHD 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene water tank; 75-foot aerial ladder; Elkhart Cobra EXM2 monitor; Smart Power 8-kW generator; Duo-Safety ground ladders. Sold by Guy Lombardo, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in July 2027.

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GEORGIA

ALEXIS—Spalding County Fire Department, Griffin, mini pumper. RAM 5500 cab and chassis; Cummins i6 6.7L 420-hp engine; Hale DSD 1,500-gpm pump; 300-gallon polypropylene water tank; Elkhart Stinger deck gun. Sold by Williams Fire Apparatus, Ashland, AL. Delivery in December 2026.

ILLINOIS

E-ONE—Charleston Fire Department pumper. Cyclone cab and chassis. Cummins X10 High Torque 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon water tank. Sold by Craig Hamrick, Banner Fire, Roxana, IL. Delivery in February 2028.

E-ONE—Cornbelt Fire Protection District, Mahomet, pumper. Cyclone cab and chassis; Cummins X10 High Torque 450-hp engine; E-ONE eMAX/Darley PSM 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon water tank. Sold by Craig Hamrick, Banner Fire, Roxanna, IL. Delivery in April 2028.

E-ONE—Morton Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins X10 high-torque 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon water tank; Xantrex 3-kW inverter. Sold by Craig Hamrick, Banner Fire, Roxana, IL. Delivery in October 2027.

PIERCE—Rockford Fire Department three PUC pumpers. Enforcer cabs and chassis; Cummins X10 450-hp engines; Pierce PUC-NG 1,500-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 500-gallon water tanks; 30-gallon foam cells; Akron 3096-95 eductor foam systems; low hosebed design; Duo-Safety ground ladders. Sold by Dan Rudnicki, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL. Delivery in April 2028.

PIERCE—Rockford Fire Department three aerial ladder quints. Velocity cabs and chassis; Cummins X15 500-hp engines; 105-foot steel aerial ladders; Pierce PUC-NG 1,500-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 500-gallon water tanks; 30-gallon foam cells; Akron 3096-95 foam eductor systems; Harrison 6-kW generators; Duo-Safety ground ladders. Sold by Dan Rudnicki, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL. Delivery in April 2028.

PIERCE—Romeoville Fire Department heavy rescue; Velocity cab and chassis; Cummins X10 450-hp engine; 21.5-foot walk-around rescue body; Harrison 25-kW generator; Duo-Safety ground ladders. Sold by Vince Baudek, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL. Delivery in March 2028.

PIERCE—St. Charles Fire Department PUC pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins X10 450-hp engine; Pierce PUC-NG 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon water tank; Duo-Safety ground ladders. Sold by John Kenna, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL. Delivery in March 2028.<

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Posted: Sep 28, 2025

MI Township Debuts New Fire Apparatus at Public Safety Open House

CARTER FRYE
Grand Haven Tribune, Mich.
(TNS)

The Spring Lake Township Fire Department hosted its annual Public Safety Open House at Fire Station #1 on Thursday night, as attendees got the chance to explore the township’s brand-new fire truck and community center next door.

Neighbors, local community groups, businesses, and surrounding public safety departments gathered to celebrate at the corner of Fruitport Road and M-104 after almost a decade of holding the event down the street at Central Park.

“We’re really happy to bring it back to the fire station,” said Fire Chief John Stalzer. “Years ago, it used to be out at our old Station #1 on 148th, and our dream has always been to bring it back here. Having the community center next door really helps that. And with the good weather and having everybody here, we’re really happy.”

People of all ages enjoyed yard games, an obstacle course, station tours, and a look at the department’s recently acquired fire truck.

The new Engine 1722, which went into service for the first time Monday night, is designed to operate similarly to their other trucks while prioritizing firefighter safety.

Features include technological improvements, lower truck components, and a special clean cab filter system, which helps to reduce the amount of firefighter exposure to carcinogens after being in the field.

The nearly $1 million fire truck purchase was approved by the Township Board of Trustees in 2022, with delivery originally scheduled for last year. The previous Engine 1722 was over 20 years old and in need of replacement, while the new truck also helps the department to improve its Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.

Other public safety groups attended the event as well, giving people an opportunity to interact with officials as well as their equipment and vehicles. Departments included Grand Haven Township Fire/Rescue, Ferrysburg Fire, Trinity Health EMS, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and several others.

Hot dogs from Butch’s Beach Burritos, ice cream from Culver’s, and Magnum Coffee were big hits among event-goers. Local businesses and organizations also set up tables, including Ace Hardware, Servpro, the Careerline Tech Center, the Girl Scouts, and the Boy Scouts, who are now known as Scouting America.

As they have for the past several years, members of Scouting America helped to direct traffic in the parking lot. Troop 14 Scout Master Daniel Jackson, who attended the event with his son, Frank, is happy to continue the tradition.

“The Scouts are all about service with a smile,” he said. “And what better way to serve your community than being part of your community? And that’s what we try to teach our kids.”

Stalzer noted that the event wouldn’t be possible without local support from all the volunteers.

“It’s not just us. It’s the whole community coming together,” he said.

Community Center

Next door at 15549 Cleveland St., the township simultaneously held a walkthrough of the recently completed community center located at the site of the old Burger King.

The 2,082-square-foot building, officially

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