Crime & Safety

Plymouth Township Could be Planning More Changes to Fire Department

Letter to supervisor from firefighters union president indicates township is interested in changing firefighters' responsibilities or contracting with city of Plymouth for fire services.

Plymouth Township officials are considering changing the makeup of the fire department, according to a letter obtained by Patch.

The letter, written by the firefighters' union president, Dan Atkins, and addressed to Plymouth Township Supervisor Richard Reaume, says Atkins was approached last month by Township Treasurer Ron Edwards about the township possibly adopting a Public Safety Officer (PSO) system — where employees receive both fire and police training — or contracting with the City of Plymouth for fire services.

Patch obtained a copy of the letter today through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

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Previously, the City of Plymouth had contracted its fire services through the township, but on Jan. 1 to begin a with the City of Northville that cut costs and built a new fire station in downtown Plymouth.

The departure left the township with a nearly — the contribution previously paid by the city for the shared services. Citing the need to right-size the department, the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees six firefighters on March 1.

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In the June 11 letter, Atkins told Reaume he spoke with Edwards again on June 8 and confirmed the union would consider the Public Safety Officer issue and would like a written proposal from the township.

Reaume and Atkins each declined to comment for this story. A message was left with Edwards seeking comment.

Check back with Patch for updates on this developing story.


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