Led by Chief Tim McEldowney
Welcome to Spring Arbor Township Fire Department located in west Jackson County, Michigan Station 15.
The Chief
Tim is a life-long resident of Jackson County, and has been a Spring Arbor Township resident since 1990. He brings to his position a wealth of knowledge gained from 20 years of management and ownership of a manufacturing company, and from his active participation in the fire service since 1991. Tim is a “lifelong learner” as he continues to sharpen his skills in firefighting and management through continuing education.
Tim was employed as Spring Arbor’s chief in 2004. In 2012 Summit Township contracted with Spring Arbor for Tim to perform Chief duties for their Township. This “50/50” relationship with Summit presented an opportunity for Spring Arbor to employ a full-time firefighter which has strengthened the department.
It’s in Tim’s nature to share his time and skills with the community. For several years he was an active participant in the Township’s park committee, and with the local AYSO soccer organization. He is always willing to assist in the many activities of the Township.
Tim is a strong advocate of training….not only to provide better service to the Township’s residents, but for the safety of the firefighters. Through his initiative Spring Arbor is a certified center for Firefighter I & II, and Medical First Responder training.
FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFF
Chief: Tim McEldowney
Asst. Chief: Tim Woolworth
Captains: John Bacon, Charles Ragain, B.J. Buckland
Lieutenant: Chad Greenslade, Paul Smith
Paid-on-call Firefighters: The Department is authorized to have 30 paid-on-call firefighters.
FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING
Firefighters are required to have 320 hours of firefighting training and 96 hours of medical first responder training before becoming active on the Department. Annually the firefighters participate in 24 hour of hazardous materials and 24 hours of general training. Additionally they must participate in 16 hours of medical training every three (3) years. Firefighters are not paid for their hours in training.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
The Department regularly covers the 36 square miles of Spring Arbor Township and its approximately 8,200 residents. The Department routinely responds to 700 – 750 calls for service a year. Additionally they host department tours for various groups, and provide fire prevention training in the Township’s elementary schools. Through the Firefighters’ Association various community sports teams are sponsored, assistance is given to the Boy Scouts, and there is participation in local school social events.
The Township has an “automatic” mutual aid structure fire agreement with the townships of Hanover, Liberty, and Pulaski. This agreement calls for these departments to be dispatched simultaneously for a confirmed structure fire in any one of the four (4) townships. Additionally the Township participates in a Jackson County-wide mutual aid agreement which calls for the Township to respond when asked to emergencies anywhere within the County. The Department has given aid to departments in Hillsdale and Calhoun counties when asked due to significant emergencies within their boundaries.
The Spring Arbor fire department and its staff are dedicated to excellence in service to the Spring Arbor Township community, and continually seek ways in which to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department.