Traditionally, in the years past, our fire department was only called upon to extinguish fires, maybe conduct simple fire inspections on new or existing buildings and respond to basic first aid calls. The members of Rochester Hills Professional Firefighters Local 3472 today wear many hats. Our members first must meet rigorous mental and physical requirements upon applying for employment to the department. In addition our firefighters must be licensed at the paramedic level in which they receive over 1200 hours of academic instruction along with in excess of 400 hours of clinical evaluation. This allows our firefighter/paramedics to administer life saving drugs and bring the hospital emergency room to the doorstep of your home.
This is only one aspect of the duties performed by the members of Local 3472. Many of our firefighters are also trained and certified in hazardous material handling and recovery, confined space and high angle rescue, water rescue and disaster management. More often the services we provide go without notice. Our fire prevention and inspection division conduct site plan reviews for existing and new commercial and residential development, inspections, education and fire investigation services to the community. Our inspectors conduct over 1000 inspections annually along with invaluable education and prevention services to our residents and business owners.
The Rochester Hills Fire Department is relatively new in relation to a full-time workforce. Over the years the department has serviced the residents utilizing a paid-on call system of firefighters and a private ambulance firm to handle medical transport of its residents
The community over the last 5 years has experienced rapid commercial and residential growth in which the past system could not handle the increase in the volume of calls. This required the implementation of full-time firefighter/paramedics to provide round the clock service to the residents. This change has resulted in a dramatic reduction in response times for emergencies that have occurred within the community. As the demand for service has increased we are being asked to do more with less.
The members of the Rochester Hills Professional Firefighters Local 3472 recognize these challenges and will continue to strive to enhance the services we provide our residents. Our members will continue to build on our strong relationship with the Mayors office and City Council to research and develop new and innovative ways to provide the most timely, proficient, and cost effective service that our residents expect and deserve.
Executive Board
Rochester Hills Professional Fire Fighters
IAFF Local 3472
