Michigan Fire Dept Gets $1.8M Truck After 2022 Blaze

When the historic Oakland Hills Country Club burned to the ground in 2022, firefighters in Bloomfield Township, Michigan discovered their equipment had limits they couldn't afford to ignore. Now, thanks to $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan funds, they're rolling out a solution that could transform how they protect their community.

The department's new Sutphen SPH100 fire truck arrives with a ladder that extends 20 feet longer than their previous models. Fire Chief John LeRoy says those extra feet aren't just numbers on paper—they're the difference between reaching someone trapped on an upper floor or watching helplessly from below.

"After the fire at Oakland Hills, we saw certain limitations with our current trucks in terms of length and adaptability," LeRoy explained. The township's large homes and multi-story structures demanded equipment that could match their scale.

The truck's safety bucket now comfortably holds two firefighters instead of one, doubling rescue capacity during critical moments. Federal emergency relief funds covered the entire cost, turning pandemic recovery dollars into lifesaving infrastructure.

Firefighters are currently training on the truck's extended length and updated components, with the goal of having it fully operational by spring. The vehicle is expected to serve the community for 25 years, protecting generations of residents.

The Ripple Effect

Bloomfield Township doesn't work alone. As a member of OAKWAY, a mutual aid network, this single truck will serve multiple surrounding communities when emergencies strike.

When neighboring towns face their own large structure fires, this ladder will respond. The federal investment in one fire department multiplies across an entire region, strengthening the safety net for thousands of families.

Sometimes the best solutions come from learning hard lessons—and having the resources to act on them.