As reported by the Detroit Fire Department, a Fire Leadership Roundtable was held on September 25, 2024, gathering officials from 17 fire and public safety departments from Metro Detroit and Windsor.
The event was organized by Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms and included participation from State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer.
The roundtable provided an opportunity for fire chiefs and directors of public safety to discuss shared challenges, explore potential solutions, and build partnerships.
Commissioner Simms said: “This roundtable effectively opened the lines of communication between the Detroit Fire Department and surrounding Fire and Public Safety Departments.
“Many of the challenges we face are the same, and there is a strong willingness to work together towards solutions.”
At the roundtable, discussions focused heavily on fire and emergency medical response training.
The Detroit Fire Department shared its best practices, highlighting the importance of up-to-date training for its members.
Attendees explored regional training opportunities and addressed topics such as emergency preparedness, high-rise training, confined space incidents, and FEMA courses.
Detroit’s Homeland Security Department also shared its involvement in simulation exercises.
Hilton Kincaid, Deputy Director of Detroit’s Department of Homeland Security, noted: “We train to navigate critical incidents from a tornado to a terrorist attack and everything in between.
When disaster strikes, you want to have the relationships in place not only with surrounding public safety agencies, but also those in the private sector.”
Focus on grant writing, technology, and regional partnerships
Another key aspect of the roundtable was the emphasis on securing regional grants and sharing resources across jurisdictions.
Topics included the use of drones in fire prevention and firefighting, as well as best practices in media relations and social media management.
Participants discussed ways to work on joint projects and leverage new technologies to improve fire response capabilities.
State Fire Marshal Sehlmeyer praised the event, stating: “It’s key to have relationships already in place when you reach out for help.
“Today’s meeting marked a step forward in regional collaboration under the leadership of Commissioner Simms.”
Commissioner Simms also highlighted Detroit’s recent achievements, including the city’s HEARTSafe Community designation and the launch of the Detroit Opioid Quick Response Team.
He encouraged other departments across Metro Detroit to consider pursuing similar initiatives.
“We want surrounding departments to know we are here to work with them,” Simms said.
“Whether it’s training, grant writing, sharing technology and resources or working together to problem solve, we have an open door and look forward to collaborating with our colleagues across the region.”
The 2024 Detroit Fire Leadership Roundtable, held on September 25, brought together fire officials from Metro Detroit and Windsor to discuss regional collaboration and shared challenges.
Led by Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms and attended by State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer, the event highlighted the importance of communication, partnership, and regional training.
Key topics included emergency preparedness, grant writing, and the use of new technologies such as drones.
The event also showcased Detroit’s recent HEARTSafe Community designation and opioid response initiatives, encouraging neighboring departments to collaborate on similar efforts.
The roundtable underscored the growing focus on regional approaches to fire and public safety.