Detroit Fire Department facing equipment issues before July 4 holiday promises quick repairs

DETROIT – Tuesday morning started with a radio call about the Detroit Fire Boat, which was still out of service ahead of the 4th of July holiday boating weekend.

Fire Boat 1: “Hello, it’s Fire Boat 1. Fire Boat 1 is still out of service.”

DFD operator: Fire Boat 1, you’re still out of service. We have the information.”

Adding to the morning’s challenges, the Detroit Fire Department faced a critical issue as a ladder truck was found to be missing its ladder, potentially hindering its ability to respond to emergencies.

The first tip that Local 4 received was that Engine Company Ladder 25 of the Detroit Fire Department had broken equipment.

We started Tuesday (July 2) at 11 a.m. on the 15000 block of Greenfield Road after our insider told us their ladder truck was missing a ladder and it was broken.

Firefighters said they were worried for neighborhood residents, as they couldn’t do rescues.

Of course, we cannot talk to anyone about the situation, so we don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s job, but multiple people have confirmed they are missing a ladder truck.

It would be best to care about the matter, as you’d need a ladder for a high rescue situation.

Another tip occurred around 12:45 p.m., but it’s not the only tip we got while we were on the Detroit Riverfront in front of a boat the DFD uses to fight fires when boars are on fire.

Sources said the boat was also missing equipment. We’re approaching the 4th of July holiday weekend when fireworks and boats will be the main attractions.

We emailed the city of Detroit at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday to ask about the missing equipment for the Detroit Fire Boat and Ladder 25, which has been missing its ladder truck for weeks.

At 3:53, the city responded, saying that Ladder 25 was repaired.

“Ladder 25 is repaired and going back into service now. It was a minor repair but required a part to be ordered on Monday and shipped overnight.”

Ladder 25 Director of General Services Department Crystal Perkins

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Detroit Fire Department Commissioner Chuck Simms said 12 other ladder trucks were in service in the city and could have been dispatched if needed.

“The General Services Department makes repairs to Fire apparatus and is working to expedite repairs on reserve engines, ambulances, rescue squads, and ladder trucks so that in the event a truck that is in service experiences an issue that takes it out of service, DFD has an immediate replacement at the ready.”

Detroit Fire Department Commissioner Chuck Simms

As for the Fire Boat being out of commission for weeks, we were told the primary pump is expected to be repaired on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, enabling the boat to be placed in service.

“DFD’s most versatile and most called upon fire boat is in service. This is the smaller, newer boat that would respond to fires at marinas or buildings close to the water. Our larger (and older) boat has been waiting on the delivery of a part to repair its pumps. It is expected the primary pump will be repaired on Wednesday, enabling the boat to be placed in service if needed. The secondary pump on the boat is expected to be repaired next week, returning it to full functionality.”

Detroit Fire Department Commissioner Chuck Simms

Good news for those who will be on the Detroit River: as for Ladder 25, it was about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday when we were notified that firefighters got the truck with the ladder and put it immediately into service on a run.

Thanks to those who told us what was happening with Ladder 25 and the Detroit Fire Boat. If you have something you want Karen Drew to check out, email her at Kdrew@wdiv.com.