The $5 Million Transformation: 5 Major Upgrades Fueling The City Of Dearborn Fire Department's 2025 Success
The City of Dearborn Fire Department (DFD) is currently undergoing one of the most significant periods of modernization and expansion in its history, marked by massive infrastructure investments, historic personnel changes, and a surge of federal grant funding. As of late 2025, the department is actively leveraging over $5 million in state grants for comprehensive facility upgrades and securing over $1.1 million in federal aid for critical equipment and training, ensuring its status as a premier "all hazards" emergency service provider in Wayne County, Michigan.
This wave of investment and strategic development is not just about new equipment; it represents a deep commitment to the safety of Dearborn's 120,000 residents and a renewed focus on the well-being of the firefighters themselves. From a groundbreaking promotion in leadership to a community-focused smoke detector program, the DFD is setting a new standard for municipal fire and emergency services.
Dearborn Fire Department: Leadership and Foundational Profile
The Dearborn Fire Department, which was officially established on March 4, 1908, is tasked with protecting a 28-square-mile area of the city. Operating out of five strategically located fire stations, the DFD provides comprehensive emergency response services, including fire suppression, advanced Emergency Medical System (EMS) services, and specialized rescue operations.
- Establishment Date: March 4, 1908
- Service Area: 28 square miles, protecting approximately 120,000 residents.
- Operational Hubs: Five strategically located fire stations.
- Shift Staffing: Typically ranges from 32 to 37 firefighters.
- Key Merger: Officially merged with the Melvindale Fire Department in August 2013 to operate a joint service for 15 years, enhancing regional coverage.
Current Leadership (As of Late 2025)
- Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator: Joseph Murray, Ph.D. He was appointed in 2012 and re-appointed by Mayor Abdullah Hammoud in 2022, providing consistent, experienced leadership.
- Deputy Fire Chief: Laura Ridenour. In a historic move, Fire Marshal Laura Ridenour was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief, making her the highest-ranking woman in the department's history.
1. The $5 Million Fire Station Upgrade Project
The most substantial financial commitment to the department’s future is the ongoing $5 million fire station upgrade project. This comprehensive overhaul, which began in 2024, is funded by a significant grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, requiring no matching funds from the City of Dearborn.
The project is designed to bring all five Dearborn fire stations up to modern standards, focusing on both operational efficiency and firefighter health. The funds are earmarked for critical facility projects, improvements, and much-needed upgrades for life safety equipment and information technology infrastructure. This investment acknowledges the DFD's role as an "all hazards" department, which has seen its run volume increase significantly as it provides more services than ever before.
2. Over $1.1 Million in New Federal Grants for Equipment and Training
In addition to the state-level facility funding, the Dearborn Fire Department has successfully secured multiple large federal grants in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating strong fiscal management and a proactive approach to resource acquisition.
Key Grant Highlights:
- $800,000+ Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG): The DFD was awarded over $800,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the AFG program. This substantial funding is dedicated to acquiring new equipment and providing advanced training for personnel.
- $361K FEMA Grant for Powered Stair Chairs: In a regional effort reported in November 2025, a $361,000 FEMA grant was secured to purchase new powered stair chairs. This crucial equipment, shared with the Detroit Fire Department, significantly improves the safe and efficient transport of patients, especially during medical emergencies in multi-story buildings.
- $385K Project Grant: An additional FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $385,413.54 was also awarded to the City of Dearborn Fire Department, further bolstering its capacity for essential resources.
These grants are vital for replacing aging apparatus and ensuring that the firefighters, represented by organizations like the Professional Fire Fighters of Dearborn, MI Local 412, have the best possible tools to perform their high-risk duties.
3. Historic Promotion and Personnel Expansion
The DFD has focused on strengthening its human capital, recording its highest-ever personnel count in Fiscal Year 2025. This expansion ensures that the department can meet the growing demands of the city and maintain optimal shift staffing levels across its five stations.
The promotion of Laura Ridenour to Deputy Fire Chief is a landmark moment. Her rise from Fire Marshal to the second-highest leadership position underscores the department's commitment to recognizing and elevating talent, marking a significant step for women in the Dearborn Fire Department and setting a positive example for future recruits. This focus on personnel development is crucial, especially as the department continues to address the health and safety of its members, including those who have retired due to occupation-related illnesses, such as the Dearborn Fire Captain who died after fighting occupation-related cancer in 2024.
4. New Community Safety and Prevention Initiatives
Beyond emergency response, the DFD is actively engaged in proactive fire prevention and community outreach, recognizing that public education is the first line of defense against emergencies.
A key new initiative is the launch of a community smoke detector installation program. This program provides free smoke detectors to low-income households, directly addressing a critical life safety issue in vulnerable populations. By focusing on prevention, the department aims to reduce the incidence of residential fires and minimize the risk to Dearborn families, complementing the work of the Fire Marshal’s office.
5. Commitment to Modern Technology and Infrastructure
The recent fiber upgrade deployment and the inclusion of information technology improvements in the $5 million station project highlight the DFD’s commitment to modernizing its operational backbone. In today's interconnected world, rapid data access and reliable communication are as critical as fire hoses and ladders. By investing in its digital infrastructure, the department ensures faster response coordination, more efficient record-keeping, and better integration with regional emergency services. This technological edge is essential for maintaining the high quality of services that Dearborn residents expect from their fire and EMS teams.
The City of Dearborn Fire Department is clearly not resting on its laurels. With a strong foundation established over more than a century, and a forward-looking strategy backed by millions in recent funding, the DFD is well-positioned to serve the community for decades to come. The collective impact of the station upgrades, the infusion of new technology and equipment, and the historic leadership appointments confirm that the department is in a period of unprecedented positive transformation.
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