LTFFA Mission Statement
History of the Lyon Township Fire Department
History of the Lyon Township Fire Fighters Association

LTFFA MISSION STATEMENT
"The Lyon Township Fire Fighters Association is dedicated to the community for which we serve. The membership takes pride in being active in the community, raising fire safety awareness, being positive role models and dedicated to the highest training standards possible, which makes us the best group of fire fighters, as our community deserves.

“The association membership works to maintain a teamwork environment for all fire fighters. Helping each other maintain the highest level of skill needed to work in the fire service puts us above the rest. With the support of family and community, the Lyon Township Fire Fighters Association members proudly serve and protect."

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HISTORY OF THE LYON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Lyon Township Fire Department was founded during the 1920’s in efforts to protect the area’s growth from fire damage to crops, homes and buildings. The area was entirely farm community when the department was founded. Earliest records indicate an organized and working fire department during the end of 1928 and early 1929. The earliest records of a fire truck date back to August 24, 1931, when township treasury records show money spent to store the first fire truck. The first known fire station for Lyon Township was a barn located at the corner of Milford Rd. and Rice St. This barn, owned by the Burt Family, served as the sole fire station for the Township until 1948. The Fire Chief at the time was Fred C. Burt. It is not exactly known when Chief Burt relinquished his service as Fire Chief. He turned over duties to Chief Robert Pollock during the 1940’s.

Chief Pollock’s main duties aside from supervising the firefighters was as consultant for the new combination fire hall and township hall. In 1948, under the supervision of Chief Pollock, the Township constructed its first new fire station at 57100 Pontiac Trail. This new building served as the Fire station and the Township Hall. This building was the home for many fire personnel and apparatus for over 50 years. Chief Pollock was Fire Chief until he resigned on December 12, 1949. When Chief Pollock resigned Franklin “Junior” Knapp replaced him.

“Junior” Knapp served as Fire Chief until 1973. During his tenure as Fire Chief, Chief Knapp spent much of his time outside of firefighting trying to improve the conditions of the equipment in use by the department. Chief Knapp resigned as Fire Chief on February 3, 1973. For three months the department had no Fire Chief, as there was much contention for the position of Fire Chief. Several persons applied for the position, with the Township Board reviewing the applicants and making a decision. It was at this time when our current Fire Chief, Chief Leslie L. Cash took over the helm.
Under the stern, yet fair hand of Chief Cash the department has gone from one station to two and only a few apparatus to over 10. In 1973 it was decided that the south end of the township was in need of quicker service to keep up the tremendous amount of growth. As a result, the original “Station 2” was founded at 58000 Eight Mile Rd. where it served as the headquarters for many different firefighters and apparatus until 1999 when the lease on the building ended and it was torn down to make way for new construction. Intent on providing prompt fire suppression and medical care, the members of the department insisted on having apparatus available for use in that area. As a result, they parked a rescue vehicle in the parking lot of Country Estates Mobile Home Community. The rescue would reside there through one long, hard winter until late into the year 2000.

In the fall of 2000 the members of the Lyon Township Fire Department moved into a brand new “Station 2.” The new station 1 was finally completed after many construction woes and was moved into in early 2001. In all, we moved into two beautiful new works of art, two state of the art fire facilities had been constructed under the watchful tutelage of Fire Chief Cash. These stations have been the homes for the members and apparatus of the Lyon Township Fire Department for the past few years and will be for many more to come. We have new apparatus and equipment and are making positive strides everyday.

Chief Cash has guided the department through some hard times during his over 30-year tenure as Fire Chief. These times have included times when we had nowhere to park apparatus and equipment that did not even run. Under the reign of Chief Cash, the Lyon Township Fire Department has seen drastic improvements in every aspect of the fire and EMS service and equipment used to provide these services. The overall attitude and service provided by the Department has never been better.

Station #1 is located at 58800 Grand River Avenue (next to the water tower) and Station #2 is located at 56675 Ten Mile Rd. (corner of Ten Mile and Milford Rd). These stations are manned from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week, excluding federal holidays. If you are in the area, stop in and meet the duty staff. They will be happy to give a short station tour and show you the trucks.

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HISTORY OF THE LYON TOWNSHIP FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
The exact date of conception of the Lyon Township Firefighters Association is unknown. The earliest known records of an “Association” date back to a check written on June 17, 1952. At the time, there was no official “Association,” only a bank account known as the Flower Fund. The “Association” was comprised of department members. The members would raise money to put into the Flower Fund from donations, possibly from local companies and from the New Hudson Chamber of Commerce for the time it existed. There were no “dues.” These funds were kept to purchase flowers for the families of a sick, injured or fallen firefighter or a sick, injured or fallen member of a firefighter’s family, for food purchases at mutual aid meetings, and to pay for the annual Christmas Party. One of the checks written in 1952 was for food from Marv’s Meats in Brighton, for a Mutual Aid meeting. The “Association” functioned this way until the late 1970’s.

In 19…the Lyon Township Firefighters Association was officially recognized and approved by the then members of the Township Board. The original name of the Association was to be: The Lyon Township Fire Department Association, however, that name was not approved or used. Prior to its official establishment, there was some concern by members of the Township Board about the name of the Association and the potential liability toward the Township. As a result the name we currently use and stand by, The Lyon Township Fire Fighters Association, was founded and agreed upon. It’s a name that’s becoming more recognized each and everyday.

The Association is run like a government. We have a President, currently Firefighter Mark Thiesen; a Vice-President, Robert Smith; a Secretary, Abraham Ayoub; and a Treasurer, David Talaga. Each position is an elected position, chosen by nominations and later voted upon by the members of the Association. Meetings are brought to order and roll call is done. Previous meetings minutes are presented, then issues both new and old are discussed, information and ideas are exchanged. Finally a Treasurer’s report on our finances is given, money concerns addressed and the meeting is adjourned.

The purpose of our Association is to give the firefighters a forum, “To encourage an exchange of ideas and experiences between members, to operate a non-profit organization benefiting persons of our surrounding community, and to cultivate a friendly and social relationship among members.” To date, that is exactly what we have done. We pride ourselves in reaching out the community.
With each passing day our reach is expanding.

Today’s Association is currently comprised of all the members of the Fire Department. Department members have the option of being an Association member if they choose and are not required to be members. Members must pay monthly dues that are automatically withdrawn from their paychecks. Dues help cover the cost of the events the Association participates in. Each year the Association puts on our annual department picnic allowing our friends, family and loved ones to congregate and gather. We have an annual Golf Outing every August to raise money for a charity. We do roadside cleanup each spring and fall. We have an annual Halloween party at Dolson Elementary School for local community children and parents. Lastly, we have our annual Christmas Party to celebrate the holidays together as one great, big happy family.

The Lyon Township Firefighters Association is always looking for new events to get involved in, including sponsoring or putting on an event, and we are always looking for worthy causes to support. If you are interested in coordinating an event with the Lyon Township Firefighters Association, please do not hesitate to contact us at (248) 486-3775.

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