South Lyon Fire Department reports installations of smoke alarms, new hire and AED replacements

Fire Chief Thornton told the South Lyon City Council on March 24 that the Fire Department has installed multiple smoke and carbon‑monoxide alarms under a recent federal program, hired a local firefighter, and is updating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on city apparatus.

Thornton said the department has responded to 328 calls so far this year and has a new hire, Bradford Janek, a local resident with prior fire certifications and EMT training. Thornton said the department installed combination smoke/CO alarms and battery or hardwired smoke alarms in numerous homes under the federal program and encouraged residents who need alarms to contact the department.

Thornton said the department completed installations that included 56 combination smoke-and-carbon-monoxide alarms, about 80 standalone carbon‑monoxide battery units, 57 hardwired smoke alarms and 67 battery smoke alarms; staff also noted 29 homes with battery supplies. The chief characterized the program as having a “decent impact.”

Thornton said seven new AEDs have arrived and are being swapped in on engines, rescues and staff cars as replacements for older units; he said the purchase was included in the current budget. The department’s open house for police and fire is scheduled for May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thornton added.

Council members thanked Thornton for a rapid response to a recent downtown structure fire and asked about the city’s burning ordinance; Thornton said burning is not allowed inside the city because of proximity of homes and nuisance smoke issues. Thornton and council discussed the risk of dry conditions and the need to adhere to the city’s burning prohibition.

No formal council action on fire department items was recorded at the meeting.