Brighton Area Fire Fighters Association

Expansion

Although the Village of Brighton became a city in 1928 this department became a charter member of Brighton City in 1938 and became known as the Brighton Fire Department.

In 1941 the department took delivery of another fire apparatus. This truck was a 1941 Chevrolet with John Bean high pressure equipment. At the close of the World War II we traded it in for a new and improved 1946 Chevrolet.

In 1951 the Brighton Junior Fire Department was formed made up of young people of the community between the ages of 16-18. These young people would be allowed to perform tasks under the supervision of the senior fire department members. [Junior Program]

In 1950, the fire department moved across the street frm the olf town hall into a new fire hall which was known as the Main Street Emporium. The fire hall was financed and built by the fire department at no cost to the City of Brighton.

The department received its first tanker in 1951 and in 1960 the department received its first combination pumper. We also received another tanker in 1961.

Station 3

In the early 1960s the department put commercial fire band radios in each apparatus. At this time the county began to dispatch us and we became Station 3 Brighton. At that time we began a 3-digit numbering system for the apparatus that begins with 3 for our station.

In 1964 the women’s auxiliary was formed and composed primarily of the wives of the fire fighters. At that time many of the spouses also learned how to drive and pump each apparatus. The purpose of the organization is to help the fire fighters in any way they can, whether that means putting together a spur-of-the=moment breakfast after a middle of the night structure fire or working at a fundraiser for some worthwhile cause.

Our first rescue vehicle (301) was received during the early to mid 1960s. It was a used GMC panel truck that we purchased from the GM proving grounds and converted for fire department use. In 1972 we received our second rescue vehicle, a Ford Econoliner.

In 1978 the department took delivery of its next apparatus, a Grunman 1250 gallon per minute pumper built on a duplex chassis.

Smarter Not Harder

In the early 1980s we built our first portable lighting unit known as 309. It was built with components donated primarily from the civil service. The lights were originally used to light the ball field on the property before the Fire Hall was built.

In 1981 we sold the station on Main Street and donated the proceeds to the City of Brighton to help defer the cost of the new fire hall which we presently occupy. In addition, the land that the current fire station is located upon and adjacent properties were owned by us and were sold to also help defer the cost of this new fire hall. With all of this, approximately half of the total cost of the new fire hall was paid for by this department. We moved in to our current fire hall early in 1982.

In September 1988 the City of Brighton added its first full time fire chief whose primary duties include the administration and supervision of the fire department.

In 1989 our first aerial apparatus known as 308 was received. This apparatus is a Gruman Aerialcat 96 foot ladder aerial platform which cost approximately $500,000. It was recently sold in 2012 with the purchase of our new 100ft Pierce Aerial Platform.

Y2K

At the turn of the century, Brighton and the surrounding areas were booming – as evident with the larger communities and highway expansions. In 2001 there was a purchase of two2001 E-One Engines and another in 2003. The department purchased two2006 Ford F550 / E-OneRescues and a2007 Pierce Heavy Rescue. For dual role coverage in our township stations, the department purchased two2009 Pierce Rescue Pumpers.In 2012, the department purchased twoPierce 2200gallon Tankers as well aPierce 95′ mid mount ladde with a 2000 gpm pump.

Authority Now

Today the Brighton Area Fire Department serves a response district that includes 74 square miles and a population of 46,000 residents within the City of Brighton, Charter Township of Brighton and Genoa Township. The area was initially protected by individual fire departments within each municipality.

The department recently purchased two 2015 Pierce Engines with 1000 gallons and class A foam with 1250 gpm pumps replacing the two 2001 E-One engines.

In addition, the Brighton Area Fire Department serves nine schools in three different school districts as well as several private schools and early childhood learning centers. The fire department also serves those traveling on over 30 miles of interstate roadways and one major interchange (I-96 & U.S. 23).