Our union is made up of 24 members.  We currently have 21 firefighter-paramedics in suppression, 1 Assistant Fire Chief, 1 Fire Marshal, and 1 Secretary-Dispatcher who proudly serve Washington Township. 

Assistant Fire Chief Duties

The Assistant Fire Chief is a 40 hour per week postition.  He is second in command on the department.  He is responsible for responding to all fires and major incidents.   He is the departments primary contact person in charge of writing and requesting fire grants offered through the federal government, which when awarded, can significantly decrease costs associated with managing a fire department.  He  makes sure that all suppression personnel understand and follow all departmental policies and procedures as ordered by the township board and fire chief .  When the situation dictates, he  can act as the public information officer to interact with various media outlets. 

The Fire Marshall has a wide variety of responsiblities.  Among some of these responsibilites are:  

1. Inspections of current and prospective businesses in the township,  in conjuction with the township building department, the marshal makes sure that fire codes are adhered to and that proper standards are met within each business as it relates to firefighter-right-to-know, fire alarm and sprinkler systems.  He is also involved in the planning process when new streets and subdivision are being proposed, making sure fire hydrants are placed according to codes, as well as proper demensions of the streets themselves.

2.  Public Education through elementary schools is a high priority.  Each year fire safety is taught to elementary schools in the township, and the Fire Marshal is responsible for developing the cirriculum and delivery of the lessons.  If the need arises, the Fire Marshal also provides education for juvenile fire starters.

3.  Fire investigations are also the responsibility of the Marshal.  The Marshal is highly trained in fire investigations, cause and origion.  He is responsible for following up on all fires that occur in the township. And should the need arise, he is expected to testify before a court in potential arson cases.

The Secretary-Dispatcher roles and responsibilites are as follows:

1.  The dispatcher is responsible for answering emergency and non emergeny calls for fire department services, directing fire department resources accordingly to effectively mitigate the situation.  Full knowledge of department policies as well as various resources outside the fire department, including mutual aid is a vital component during emergencies.

2.  Works closely with the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal by way of scheduling appoinments, typing letters, answering general phone calls.

3.  Responsible for paid-on-call payroll.

4.  The Secretary-Dispatcher is also our privacy officer who is responsible for HIPPA.  Those responsiblities include teaching and refreshing employees annually on privacy laws as it relates to EMS.  Our dispatcher works closely with ACCUMED, making sure EMS runs are billed correctly.

Suppression Personnel (Firefighter-Paramedics)

21 Firefighter-Paramedics are divided into 3 shifts ( A,B, & C) each work 24 hour tours as follow: Work 1, off 1, Work 1, off 1, Work 1 off 4.  Average work week is 56 Hours per week for suppression personnel.  Within our Suppression personell, we have an EMS Coordnator, and a Fire Instructor. They are responsible for training the department on a weekly basis.   

There are 2 Fire Stations in Washington Township.  The South End Station #1 is Located at 8100 Wicker Street.  This is South of 27 Mile, East of Van Dyke.   Station #2, our North End Station, is located at 11285      30 Mile, which is West of VanDyke.

Our shift begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends the following day at 8:00 a.m. Full-time manning is divided as follows:  A  minimum of 4 Firefighter-Paramedics are stationed at #1,  24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  A minimum of 2, maximum 3 Firefighter-Paramedics are stationed at #2, 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek.

We are charged with the noble task of providing  fire suppression, rescue and advanced life-support care and transport of the sick and injured.  All L-3299 members are Firefighter I & II  certified by The State of Michigan.  They are all licensed paramedics through The State of Michigan.  All are certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support,  Neonatal Advanced Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, HazMat Operations & Awareness, Incident Command, includung NIMS ( National Incident Management System).  Most members are also state certified in Fire Officer I, II and II.

When we are not responding to emergencies, we are expected to maintain the fire apparatus and fire stations.  All equipment is checked daily to make sure it is in working order and ready for use at a moments notice.  Our fire stations are also maintained daily and kept in working order.   In the winter months, we are responsible for snow removal, a service previously provided by a private contractor at a higher cost to the township.

We are required to train daily on various Fire and EMS skills and protocols.  Our Department is a combination Department (Fulltime and Paid on call).  Once a week the entire department gathers for training.

The members of Washington Township Firefighters Local 3299 believe it to be and honor and a priveldge to serve this community.  It is our goal, when the alarm sounds,  to provide the best care and service that our residents have come to expect and deserve.  It is through the support of the residents as well as the Washington Township Board of Trustees that we are able to provide this vital service to the residents of Washington Township.