Bakos Gross
Firefighter/Medic
In October 2012, a wall of honor was established in front of the new Brownstown Event Barn located at 23345 King Road. The wall of honor is a place to honor the men and women who serve, or have served, with honor and integrity, the citizens of Brownstown Township, the State of Michigan, and the United States of America, as members of the Brownstwon Police and Fire Departments. It shall be a place for all to reflect on the service and sacrifice that the Township's Public Safety Employees make while protecting the well being of its citizens and property.
On June 12, 2014, five members were honored for their services. Ret Sergeant Thomas Dayfield, 30 years of service, Ret Sergeant Thomas Arsenault, 29 years of service, Ret Sergeant Roger Dyer, 22 years of service, Ret Sergeant Michael Gerard, 26 years of service, Ret Chief Daniel Grant, 25 years of service.
Jayson Gillman
Sergeant/Medic
Firefighters
Lieutenant Chris Russo
Lieutenant John Horvath
Firefighter of the Year
Each year, a five member nomination committee comprised of two Lieutenants and two firefighters along with the Union President, submit not more than three names to the chiefs office for consideration. The Chief reviews these recommendations and makes the final decision on naming the firefighter of the year.
Nominating Criteria:
Nomination Committee: The nomination committee shall be comprised of 2 Lieutenants and 2 Firefighters that have been elected and voted on at the November union meeting submitted to the chief for concurrence. The Union President will be an honorary member of the committee. The members severing on the committee shall not be exempted from the award. The committee will gather information and input from the local prior to submitting the final names to the Chief’s office. In December of each year the committee shall select not more than 3 names that will be given to the Chief; the final selection will be made by the Chief.
Nominating Criteria: The nomination committee will select no more than 3 names to nominate to the Chief for his consideration. The committee will take into consideration significant contributions, achievements, character, and long term dedication of the individuals being considered. All on and off duty charity and volunteer work will also be taken into consideration Selection shall be based on the firefighter’s performance of duties, motivation, teamwork, dedication, leadership, creativity, safety, professionalism and customer service.
Award Given: A plaque or statue will be presented to the Firefighter of the year at the January Board of Trustees Meeting. The Firefighter of the year will also have their name displayed on a plaque at Fire Headquarters and within the living quarters of Station 1
2015 Lieutenant/Medic John Horvath
2014 Firefighter/Medic Nick Sanfilippo
2013 Firefighter/Medic Brian McNeil
2012 Firefighter/Medic Larry McCray
The Brownstown Fire Department currently has 30 full time firefighter paramedics, which includes 6 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants. In addition there is one full time chief/paramedic, one full time Inspector/paramedic and one civilian office administrator. Some of these personnel were former members of the paid on call department.
To Protect and Serve Emergency Dial 911
Shane Wilde
Firefighter/Medic
Brandon Craft
Firefighter/Medic
Thomas Cox
Sergeant/Medic
Congratulations !!
The year 2014 brought the full time department its first retirement, Firefighter Larry McCray retired from the Brownstown Fire Department after 44 years of public service. Larry served as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT starting in 1970 and rose to the rank of Captain until 2000 when the department switched to a full-time department. Since that transition Larry joined on as a full-time Firefighter / Paramedic and was one of the “original 20″ to establish the full-time department, not just a Firefighter, Larry was also a Fire Instructor teaching for many years, a licensed Paramedic instructor, and a member of the Brownstown Honor Guard.
Lieutenant Mark Robbins
Departmental Personnel
Donald Melow
Firefighter/Medic
Brian McNeil
Firefighter/Medic
William Carroll
Firefighter/Medic
Robert Barclay
Firefighter/Medic
A ten member Brownstown Police/Fire Honor Guard was established in March of 2011 and is part of joint Public
Safety Honor Guard. The unit was established with the primary goal of providing proper honors to members of the
Public Safety Community who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to the community. Membership is voluntary and
time for training and Honor Guard Details is donated by its members. Aside from its primary focus, the Honor Guard
also participates in various community details such as presenting and or posting of the National Colors
(The U.S. Flag) at events or ceremonies. In addition, the Honor Guard serves as the caretakers of and liaison to, the Wall of Honor which is located in front of the Browstown Township Event Barn on King Rd.within the Township Recreation Campus. This wall was built as a place to honor the service of the community's Public Safety Employees.
Honor Guard
Corey Raines
Firefighter/Medic
Lieutenant Dave Zurawski
Brownstown
Fire Department
Wall of Honor
Philip Parent
Firefighter/Medic.
Brian Nichols
Firefighter/Medic
Robert Campeau
Sergeant/Medic
Chad Behrik
Firefighter/Medic
Lieutenant Ryan Raumen
Congratulations !!
The year 2021 brought the full time department its first second retirement, Lieutenant Dave VanWallaghen retired from the Brownstown Fire Department after 42 years of public service. Dave served as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT starting in 1979. In 2000 Dave became a full time career member as a Firefighter / Paramedic and was one of the “original 20″ to establish the full-time department. Dave was permanently promoted to Lieutenant in 2008 which he held that rank until his retirement in June 2021. We wish him well in his retirement.
Nick Sanfilippo
Firefighter/Medic
Corey Mates
Firefighter/Medic
Phil Brock
Firefighter/Medic
Retirement Announcements
Congratulations !!
The year 2021 brought the full time department its third retirement, Lieutenant Robert Cunningham retired from the Brownstown Fire Department after 45 years of public service. Bob served as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT starting in 1975. In 2000 Bob became a full time career member as a Firefighter / Paramedic and was one of the “original 20″ to establish the full-time department. Bob was permanently promoted to Lieutenant in 2008 which he held that rank until his retirement in December 2021. We wish him well in his retirement.
Ethan Siedlik
Firefighter/Medic
Rodney Roberts
Firefighter/Medic
Lieutenants
Lieutenant James Lauer
Mark Sanfilippo
Firefighter/Medic
Scott Hamilton
Firefighter/Medic.
Frank Bianchi
Firefighter/Medic
21313 Telegraph, Brownstown, MI 48183
734-955-2600 Fax 734-955-2610
Jacob Pisarzewski
Firefighter/Medic
Christian Nichols
Firefighter/Medic
Congratulations !!
In January 2010, the departments; first full time administrative secretary Joette Freeland retired. With nearly 20 years of dedicated service and commitment to the Brownstown Fire Department. Joette was truly an asset to the department, we wish her well in her retirement and we will surely miss her.
Honor Guard Scholarship Program
Level of Study: High School Seniors
Deadline: April 19, 2016
The Brownstown Honor Guard is pleased to announce that it will awarding a $500.00 scholarship to one student from Woodhaven High School and one student from Carlson High School. The Brownstown Honor Guard is made up of volunteers from both the police department and the fire department of Brownstown. The honor guard was established to support the community, become involved within the community, and to provide honor to those individuals that work in public safety within the community. Providing a scholarship for high school students allows the honor guard to complete these elements on which it was founded upon.
The winner of these prestigious awards will be announced at each schools honor’s night.
Application Requirements:
Completed application forms. Forms are available at the counseling office.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
Wish to pursue a career in public safety
High School Transcripts
Two letters of recommendation(non-family members). Letters must be sealed with authors signature across seal.
ESSAY
Length: not longer than two pages, typed, double spaced
Topic: What does honor mean to you and how does it relate to integrity and ethics in public service?
Scholarship Winners
Name School Class Year Program
Andrew Matthews Carlson High School 2015 G.R.E.A.T® Scholarship
Emily Stroh Woodhaven High School 2015 G.R.E.A.T® Scholarship
Andrew Matthews Carlson High School 2015 Honor Guard Scholarship
Sydney Brudzinski Woodhaven High School 2015 Honor Guard Scholarship
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