Q. Why does the Fire Engine respond along with the Ambulance to Medical Calls?
A. The engine may respond along with the ambulance if it is a serious emergency (heart attacks, stokes, gun shot victims) where additional medics may be needed at the scene or for patient lift assistance or when the immediate response ambulance is busy on another call and the other station ambulance is responding from a greater distance
Q. Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in roofs during a fire?
A Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This lets firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chances of a back draft explosion..
Q. Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents -- more lanes than are necessary?
A. It's for the safety of our personnel and our patients. Blocking extra lanes keep our personnel safe when they go back to our apparatus to get more equipment, and it helps protect the victim we're trying to stabilize.
Q. Why do firefighters get upset when you drive over fire hoses?
A. The fire hose is the lifeline of a firefighter when fighting a fire. If you drive over it, the hose can be damaged, and any firefighter at the end of a nozzle will have the water interrupted -- possibly causing injury or death.
Q. Why do firefighters keep weeds, bushes and other items away from fire hydrants?
A. Firefighters keep weeds and bushes 3 feet from fire hydrants for visibility and accessibility.
Q. How do you get a smoke detector from the Fire Department?
A. Visit our main headquarters office located on Sibley Road to request one or by calling our Fire Prevention Bureau at 734-955-2600. If we have some available we can accommodate your request.
Q. What number do you call for a fire inspection?
A. Call our Fire Administration Offices are 734-955-2600.
Q. Why is it illegal to burn leaves and brush on my property?
A. Local Township Ordinance and Fire Code requirements strictly regulates and prohibits open burning outdoor without obtaining an approved permit through our offices.
Q. Why do firefighters shop at the local grocery stores?
A. Firefighters work a 24-hour shift and must supply their own food. They combine their money to purchase food for meals. Often, you will see them at a grocery store in a fire engine. The only way the Brownstown Fire Department can ensure that firefighters will respond and arrive in an average of less than 5 minutes is by using the vehicle they respond in -- with all firefighters present and available. Sometimes they receive a call while shopping for food, which means they leave directly from the grocery store and have to come back later to finish their grocery shopping.
Q. Can I use commercial purchased fire pits in my back yard?
A. Any open burning with these devices is discouraged within the Township, however commercial built fire pits may be used if done so in a safe and controlled and supervised manner. Fire pits shall not be over loaded, shall only burn clean cut logs, no trash, construction materials, plastics, or rubber products. Fire Pits shall not be placed on combustible decks, and shall not be located any closer than 10 feet from a house, garage, out structure or wooden and vinyl fences.
Fire Chief Jeff Drouillard (E-mail) rose through the ranks of the Fire Department to become chief in 1999, after 17 years of
service. He has been a Brownstown resident since 1972 and is a 1983 Woodhaven High School graduate. During high high school, it was already apparent where his interests would take him, as he enjoyed being a Fire Explorer with the the township Fire Department from 1981-1983. He has been with the department now for 42 years.
His affiliations and experience led to work as a paid-on-call firefighter and emergency medical technician from 1983-1987.
He also took on duties as a police/fire dispatcher from 1984-1987. In 1987, he assumed a position of leadership when he was named a full-time inspector. An appointment as fire marshal followed in 1993. He served for a year as acting chief from 1998-1999. Since 1983, the chief has attended numerous fire service related courses and programs and is a member of several fire service organizations. He is currently the chairman of the Downriver Mutual Aid Fire Chiefs
Pursuing a degree in fire science, he already has earned state certification as a paramedic, is a state-certified Firefighter I and II, and is a Fire Officer I, II and III and a graduate of Eastern Michigan Universities School of Fire Staff and Command.
He is a graduate of the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division for fire inspectors and has taken courses in advanced fire investigation, fire and arson investigation and vehicle fire investigation.
His affiliations include the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Metropolitan Detroit Fire Inspectors, the Downriver Mutual Aid Association of Fire Chiefs, which he is the current Chairman, the Southeastern Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, the Downriver Mutual Aid Fire Investigation Team, and the National Fire Protection Association. He severs as a trustee on the Health Emergency Medical Services system, (HEMS) Medical Control Authority of Western and Down River Wayne County and also serves as a Co-Chair for the Communications Sector.
Drouillard, with the assistance of Inspector Mark McLain, also performs periodic annual inspections of existing commercial buildings,multifamily rental units, new buildings and all renovations of buildings. These inspections are conducted to the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association Fire Codes.
common questions
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Brownstown
Fire Department
Office Administrator Philip Frank:
Philip Frank joined the department in 2011 after moving back to his home state of Michigan. Prior to
starting here, he worked in the film and television industry in New York City and California at both NBC and MTV, among
other companies. Most recently Phil produced and released a feature-length documentary through Warner Bros
Distribution. He continues to work as a freelance writer and producer outside of the Brownstown Fire Department. He
graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Business from the University of Toledo.
As the Office Administrator, Phil is responsible for all administrative functions, including: accounting and budget reports and analysis, FOIA and subpoena response, resident public inquiries, vendor and service-company liaising and scheduling, payroll and human resource duties, database maintenance and general support to the fire chief. You can contact Phil at 734-955-2600 or email info@brownstownfire-mi.org
Inspector John Horvath:
Horvath started with department in June 1990 as a paid on call firefighter. He soon rose to the rank of Sergeant in July 1996 and Lieutenant in June 1997. In October of 2000 he became one of the first full time firefighter/medics for the department. In June 2008 he was once again promoted to full time Lieutenant. In August 2023 he was appointed as full time Fire Inspector to assist Chief/Fire Marshal Jeff Drouillard in the communities' fire inspections, code enforcement, fire investigations, and public education programs. Inspector Horvath can be reached at 734-955-2600 or johnhorvath@brownstownfire-mi.org.