The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) has celebrated the delivery of new fire and EMS vehicles totaling a $10.7 million investment in public safety.
According to the DFD, this delivery is part of the City’s long-term effort to modernize its fleet, improve reliability and maintain response times well below national averages.
The showcase at DFD’s Apparatus Division highlighted the department receiving 10 new fire engines, 13 new ambulances, three Battalion Chief vehicles and three EMS Supervisor vehicles.
They are all equipped with industry-leading technology to help protect residents and first responders.
Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, Group Executive of Construction & Building Operations LaJuan Counts and Deputy Budget Director Donnie Johnson joined DFD leadership for the event, which also drew strong media attendance.
Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms explained: “Today is about showing our community the results of a major investment in public safety – $10.7 million dedicated to keeping Detroiters safe.
“Thanks to the unwavering support of Mayor Mike Duggan and City Council, we’re ensuring our firefighters and medics have the reliable equipment they need to respond quickly when Detroiters call for help.”
The new apparatus marks significant progress in the City’s commitment to maintaining a young, modern fleet.
Once these new engines are placed in service, all but five of the Detroit Fire Department’s front-line engines will be five years old or newer — a dramatic improvement from just a decade ago, when many vehicles were decades old and prone to breakdowns.
Fire Chief David Nelson added: “When our firefighters see brand-new front-line equipment rolling into their engine houses, it reinforces that their safety is a top priority.
“These new units mean faster responses and better safety for the residents we serve every day.”
Placement of the new vehicles was data-driven, based on each unit’s age, mileage and utilization rate.
The DFD analyzed which neighborhoods had the hardest-working or most in-need apparatus to ensure resources were distributed where they would have the greatest impact on service and reliability.
Every vehicle is equipped with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud, a connected safety platform that sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching or stopped at an incident.
This helps prevent collisions and improves safety for first responders and the public alike.
Over the past decade, the City of Detroit has made strides in fleet modernization, moving from aging and unreliable apparatus to a fully modern, technology-enabled fleet.
These investments have helped DFD maintain Code 1 medical response times under 7 minutes and 30 seconds, well below the national average.
Commissioner Simms continued: “These investments ensure that when Detroiters call for help, we can respond quickly, safely and effectively.
“For our first responders, this means reliable equipment so they can focus on saving lives — not worrying about whether the engine will make it to the scene, like we did 15 years ago.”
The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) has celebrated the delivery of new fire and EMS vehicles totaling a $10.7 million investment in public safety.
