Jackson and Summit firefighters (l to r) SFD Lt. Bill Warner, JFD Capt. Ryan Hendricks, JFD Firefighter Harry Crawford and SFD Firefighter Grant Miller.
An ongoing partnership between neighboring fire departments is resulting in faster response times, patient outcomes, and cost savings.
In August 2023, the Jackson Fire Department and the Summit Township Fire Department launched a collaboration that allows fire units to respond to medical emergencies, fire alarms and vehicle crashes outside their township or city limits if the call is closer to where they are stationed. A partnership already existed for fire responses.
One year into the expanded partnership, fire officials are reviewing response data and finding many benefits.
From August 2023 to August 2024, Jackson firefighters responded to 414 calls for service in Summit Township.
During that same time, Summit firefighters responded to 430 calls for service in the City of Jackson. Records also show the average emergency response time from a Jackson crew to Summit was 4 minutes, while Summit’s average response to Jackson was 3.5 minutes.
Officials are also reviewing how the shared resources are improving responses to fire emergencies. Looking at three structure fires that happened in Summit Township over the past year, Jackson fire crews were able to reach the emergencies in an average of 2.5 minutes, while it took Summit firefighters an average of 6.1 minutes to arrive.
Reducing travel distances is bringing down expenses for the fire services. From December 2023 to April 2024, Jackson saw an approximate $5,000 reduction in fuel costs for vehicles and Summit saved approximately $6,000 on fuel. The shorter travel distances are further reducing maintenance costs for vehicles and equipment.
The success of this partnership has brought additional agreements. A Summit fire truck is now stationed at Jackson’s Fire Station No. 2, staffed by off duty personnel from both departments who respond to callback requests during significant incidents. This provides full coverage to both communities during a major incident or if another emergency occurs. This effort is being tried out over a three-month period.
Summit fire trucks are now being repaired by Jackson’s Department of Public Works.
In August 2023, the Jackson Fire Department and the Summit Township Fire Department launched a collaboration that allows fire units to respond to medical emergencies, fire alarms and vehicle crashes outside their township or city limits if the call is closer to where they are stationed. A partnership already existed for fire responses.
One year into the expanded partnership, fire officials are reviewing response data and finding many benefits.
From August 2023 to August 2024, Jackson firefighters responded to 414 calls for service in Summit Township.
During that same time, Summit firefighters responded to 430 calls for service in the City of Jackson. Records also show the average emergency response time from a Jackson crew to Summit was 4 minutes, while Summit’s average response to Jackson was 3.5 minutes.
Officials are also reviewing how the shared resources are improving responses to fire emergencies. Looking at three structure fires that happened in Summit Township over the past year, Jackson fire crews were able to reach the emergencies in an average of 2.5 minutes, while it took Summit firefighters an average of 6.1 minutes to arrive.
Reducing travel distances is bringing down expenses for the fire services. From December 2023 to April 2024, Jackson saw an approximate $5,000 reduction in fuel costs for vehicles and Summit saved approximately $6,000 on fuel. The shorter travel distances are further reducing maintenance costs for vehicles and equipment.
The success of this partnership has brought additional agreements. A Summit fire truck is now stationed at Jackson’s Fire Station No. 2, staffed by off duty personnel from both departments who respond to callback requests during significant incidents. This provides full coverage to both communities during a major incident or if another emergency occurs. This effort is being tried out over a three-month period.
Summit fire trucks are now being repaired by Jackson’s Department of Public Works.
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