Department Organization

The Department of Public Safety is a combination of the formerly separate Police and Fire Departments into a single Public Safety Department with separate Police and Fire Divisions. The Department is lead by a Director of Public Safety who’s position combines the positions of Fire and Police Chief. Separate fire and police functions are maintained as “divisions” each of which is commanded by a Deputy Director.

The two Divisions however work together very closely in order to provide the best and most efficient Department possible. The Department Command Staff works cooperatively and all major policy decisions are reviewed by all members of the Command Staff from both Divisions.

The Department’s Public Safety Facility, completed in 2003, was built to take advantage of this cooperation and as a result there is no duplication of facilities. As an example there is only one training room in the new building instead of the two that would be required in separate facilities.

Both Divisions boast highly trained and educated employees. As an example, all full time fire fighters are certified at the State of Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council Fire Fighter II level, have completed Hazardous Materials Operations level training, and all Commanders and Fire Fighters who act as Commanders have completed at least Fire Officer II level training. Approximately 80% of the Department’s police officers have a 4 year college degree and all have at least 2 years of college. One member is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Individual Officers are trained as crime scene technicians, accident investigators, police motorcycle operators, and in the proper method to interview child victims of sexual or physical abuse.

Many members of both Divisions are certified instructors and provide professional training to both recruits and veteran fire fighter and police officers.