MSFFU Welcomes Dearborn
Industrial Local I-35

Yes, Ford Rouge has it's own fire department. Yes, it has full time, professional, UNION firefighters. Yes, they do have real fire trucks, not golf carts! If you think they just check fire extinguishers and put band-aids on boo-boos, you're wrong!

The firefighters from Dearborn Industrial, Michigan's first Industrial Fire Department, are proud to let you know that they are not a fire brigade! Their department has been around since 1918, and has been affiliated with the IAFF for almost 20 years. They've been doing Confined Space and High Angle Rescues for 10 years. All 18 union members are state level firefighter II and EMT basic (in negotiations for ALS). Within two years of hire, all firefighters must be Hazmat, Confined Space Rescue, and High Angle Rescue Technicians. Dearborn Industrial's Fire Department (aka FRFD) does their own ambulance transports, either to local hospitals like Oakwood or to the Ford Rouge complex hospital. FRFD provides limited fire/EMS service for surrounding main roads and Ford Motor Company areas outside of the Rouge Complex. Mutual Aid is provided throughout Wayne County for Confined Space and High Angle Rescues.

The Ford Rouge complex is the picture of diversity. Over 1200 acres house 13 industrial plants (including the Steel Mill, Dearborn Assembly, Engine Plant, Stamping Plant, and Glass Plant), Oxygen storage, Chlorine storage, a 120,000 volt electrical substation, 2 powerhouses and 3 blast furnaces, just for starters. Throw in 36 miles of road, 128 miles of railroad, incoming cargo ships, 9000-12000 employees per shift, industrial waste, and an average steel temperature of 2010 degrees, and you begin to get the picture. FRFD, in 1998 had 704 fire runs and 510 rescue runs,handled everything from structural fires, MVA's, train wrecks, ship fires, hazardous material accidents, complex chemical fires, electrical fires, molten steel fires, confined space fires and rescues, and "a variety of explosions that have in the past turned a firefighter's gear into Swiss cheese".

FRFD has performed many high angle and confined space rescues in the past 10 years and proudly considers their team to be one of the best. California Mountain Rescue School provides their High Angle Rescue training, and Confined Space training is performed in house, and credited through Eastern Michigan University. FRFD also offers training to surrounding locals. The goals of the current Executive Board include someday forming an academy in which FRFD could share their training skills in these complex, hazardous rescues.

Our thanks to Local I-35 President Brian Keith for bringing the accomplishments of Dearborn Industrial to our attention, and for letting other locals around the state know that they are a full time, professional, first response fire department. Hopefully after reading this article, none of our members will greet you with "You work WHERE?"

Questions about MSFFU and/or MSFFU Web Site to:Terrence H. Chesney
Michigan State Fire Fighters Union
9397 Haggerty Road * Plymouth, MI 48170
800-886-7338(Voice) * 800-454-1757(Fax)