Fire Chief: Shelby is Close to Purchasing Land for 5th Fire Station
Shelby Township may soon have a fifth fire station.
The dream to open a fifth fire station in Shelby Township may become a reality soon.
“We are actively looking to build a Station 5 and pursing that as quickly as we can,” said Fire Chief Gene Shepherd.
Township officials have been in closed-door talks about where to purchase property for the new addition to the fire department, but Shepherd said there is a great need to better service the south east side of the township.
Currently, Fire Station 4, located at 23 Mile and Schoenherr roads services one-third of the fire and EMS calls in the township.
“That’s by far the busiest,” said Shepherd. “The other three stations cover two thirds of the township.”
In 2011, Station 4 responded to 2,041 calls compared to 1,007 calls at Station 2; 910 calls at Station 3 and 1,372 calls at Station 1.
Fire Station 4 covers from both sides of the M-53 expressway at 23 Mile Road, north to 26 Mile Road, and east to Hayes and down to Hall Road, said Shepherd.
That portion of the township contains the most industrial buildings in addition to high call centers such as the Shelby Macomb Medical Mall and the Shelby Nursing Center. In addition, there is construction under way to build long- and short-term care facilities on the southeast side of 21 and Schoenherr roads.
The township has been working with ISO Slayer, a company that has been preparing the township’s briefs to present to ISO.
This ISO study is independent,” said Shepherd. “They set the criteria for this stuff. It’s built on facts, data and response times.”
In addition, a fifth fire station will lower resident’s insurance premiums that will live near the new station by improving the safety ratings of the township.
Shepherd said the township is moving swiftly on selecting and purchasing the location, and he hopes that work on the station will begin by 2013.
Marina Cracchiolo
11:00 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Do you think Shelby should spend money on a 5th station on the southeast side of the Township?
Cindy
11:29 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Really? Does Shelby Twp really need another fire station? I think Shelby spends way too much of our money!! Once they purchase the land, then they have to build a station, then equipment, then staff the place. Where does it end in Shelby!! You already wasted enough on that God awful building on 23 mile....every time I pass it, I cringe! Its beautiful, but again....what a waste!!
Lisa Manzella
1:11 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
As far as I know, the township has no immediate plans to "break ground" or build another fire station. The Twp ISO rating would improve and some homeowners insurance rates would drop and there would be more efficient and fast medical service to residents, which is very important, but as far as I know there are no immediate plans to build. Station number 1 on 23 Mile is the "headquarters" or administration building. The other stations are "auxillary type" much smaller, only house necessary equipment and personel. The key is to get to people in need the quickest.
Valarie Alspaugh
3:15 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Question: How much has been spent thus far in the generation of this idea (i.e. consulting reports, preparation of ISO briefs, etc.)? Question: Have there been any lives endangered (beyond the norm of what would call a unit out to begin with) due to slow response times or lack of staff/equipment? Question: What would approval of this venture do to the Supervisor's "we are the Board who's most major accomplishments show that a community can do more with less" claim to fame?
Marina Cracchiolo
3:16 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Chief Shepherd said the Township has been studying and analyzing data for years and has determined long ago that there is a great need for another fire station. The Township has been in closed door meetings and doesn't want to reveal what property it has been looking into for fear that it could jeopardize any deal that may be in the works.
Valarie Alspaugh
4:14 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Closed door meetings = Transparency: How? This might seem like "nitpicking", I hope that I am not the only one who picks up on these contradictions.
Matt Guarnieri
6:54 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Geez Val..... If they reveal what property they are looking at it could spark a bidding war costing taxpayers 10's of Thousands more.
Nothing will be built without a serious discussion, the days of the township board trying to sneak Taj Mahal buildings past taxpayers are gone. I do not believe we will see an increase in the number of firemen or policemen unless the legacy (pension and lifetime healthcare) are addressed.
Cindy: I believe Station one was "improved" using funds saved by the fire department in a building fund, not with raised taxes of funds from the general fund. Same with the police building. Years ago voters approved a millage for police and fire. I believe improved service and coverage is what the voters had in mind back then, not the lifetime healthcare and pensions that pay more to retirees than working employees and provide lifetime funds and coverage for surviving family members.
If you watch the meetings you will observe Mr. Turner bringing up several "extras" that the township provides the fire department besides the legacy cost, such as new recliners, state of the art cooking facilities and hundreds of dollars of food allowance per fireman on a scheduled basis.
If you want to stop wasteful spending practices please participate in the process, point the waste out, help your fellow taxpayers by informing them and spreading the word.
Please comment here and I will do my best to find the truth for you.
Taz
9:32 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
This is awesome way to go Shelby for being proactive
Mad
9:46 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
The property is going to be next to king of kings luthern church off of Schoenherr, surrounded by homes! About 1 block North of 21 and East of Schoenherr. Next to the Pheasant Run Subdivision. There goes home values! It's going to be a loud living hell nightmare for those residents!!!!!!!!