The Detroit Fire Department today hosted a news conference celebrating regional collaboration among neighboring fire departments, unveiling a brand-new smoke house and safety education trailer, and highlighting recent federal grant successes that underscore the power of partnership.

The new mobile smoke house and safety trailer was made possible through a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awarded jointly to the Detroit and Hamtramck Fire Departments. Outfitted by Detroit-based ABS Storage Products, the state-of-the-art trailer will be used to teach fire safety and emergency preparedness to children and families across the region.

“This is what regional collaboration looks like,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “When we work together — sharing ideas, training together, and pursuing grant opportunities as a team — everyone benefits. These partnerships help us deliver better service, improve safety for our residents, and strengthen our departments across city borders and the region.”

Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms joined by DFD leadership and fire service leaders from across Metro Detroit to highlight how regional collaboration results in better service to residents.  

Also highlighted at the event was a separate FEMA AFG grant, awarded through a partnership between the Dearborn and Detroit Fire Departments, for the purchase of powered stair chairs used to safely move patients up and down narrow staircases.

The $361,000 grant — written collaboratively by the two departments — provides for 38 powered stair chairs, with 30 assigned to Detroit and 8 to Dearborn. Dearborn serves as the fiduciary on the grant.

“These powered stair chairs are a game changer in communities like ours,” said Dearborn Fire Chief Joe Murray. “In older, built-out neighborhoods, staircases are often tight and steep. Working together to secure this funding ensures firefighters can move patients safely while reducing injuries to our crews. Collaboration like this makes all of us stronger and ultimately benefits the people we serve."

The Detroit Fire Department’s Walter P. Harris Regional Training Center is living up to its name in a very real way. “We are offering hands-on, real-world experience for firefighters from across the region right here in Detroit,” explained Detroit Fire Chief Jamal Mickles, Training Division. “From high-angle rescue operations to live fire training and everything in between, our Training Division will ensure firefighters continue to receive the hands-on instruction and skills they need to best serve their residents.”

Chief of Detroit Fire Department's Training Division, Jamal Mickles, describes some of the many training opportunities available regionally at Detroit Fire Department's Walter P. Harris Regional Training Center. 

Hamtramck Fire Chief Matt Wyszczelski said the partnership that led to the smoke house trailer is another example of neighboring cities working smarter together.

“We respond to fires with Detroit Fire every day, but working together to pursue grants and secure equipment that benefits our residents is just as important,” Chief Wyszczelski said. “We’re proud of this partnership and grateful to have worked with Detroit to bring this new smoke house and safety education trailer to life.”

Detroit Fire Department Chief of Community Relations said the new trailer will become a cornerstone of community outreach and fire prevention education.

“We’re thrilled to have this new smoke house and can’t wait to bring it to neighborhoods and schools across Detroit,” he said. “It’s a fun, interactive way to teach kids and families what to do in an emergency — and I know residents are going to love it.”

The Detroit Fire Department's brand-new Mobile Safety Education Trailer was fully outfitted by Detroit-based ABS Storage Products. 

The news conference was held just before the start of the Detroit Fire Department’s third Fire Leadership Roundtable, hosted at Wayne County Community College District’s Downtown Campus. The Roundtable, created by Commissioner Simms, brings together fire service leaders from across southeast Michigan to discuss challenges, share best practices, and explore regional solutions.

“Whether it’s training, emergency response, or community education, we’re stronger when we work together,” Simms said. “This is just the beginning of what we can achieve as one region.”

Deputy Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the City of Detroit, Hilton Kincaid, talks about emergency preparedness through the lens of the Incident Command System. Participants were encouraged to share best practices and help each other discuss solutions to challenges faced by every department, such as budget cuts and leadership development.