Detroit FD

Similar to its city, the City of Detroit Fire Department has been plagued with a variety of issues. With the financial woes of the city, the fire department suffered using broken equipment and apparatus that sorely needed replaced. Firefighters at times are forced to buy equipment on their own when the department doesn't pay. There is also a manpower shortage that has also had effects on the fire service. 

In January 2013, dispatch redirected an ambulance going to a structure fire to another medical call for back pain. Two children were injured in the fire, and firefighters had to perform CPR in the fire engine to transport the children to the hospital, one of whom was in cardiac arrest. One of the children died. It is not Detroit protocol to send an ambulance to every structure fire.   

Detroit also has more structure fires than any other US city, approximately 33. Ninety percent of those are estimated to be set intentionally. 

Back in March, the city announced a plan to reinvest $82.1 million dollars into the fire department as part of its proposed adjustment plan.

It is important to recognize the source that showed the nation what the Detroit Fire Department was truly facing. A documentary called "Burn," released in 2012, showed the world what Detroit faces every day. New York Magazine called it "haunting" and said that it shows "the toughest guys in the world." 

The project stemmed from the 2008 line of duty death of Detroit firefighter Walter Harris, who died fighting an abandoned house fire. Tom Putnam and Benna Sanchez knew that there was a story to be told and went after it. They were told that it wasn't possible, there wasn't an audience. So donations funded it. They distributed and screen it themselves. Now, it has made an impact across the nation, breaking records with its appeal. People wanted to know what was going on. A portion of the sales goes to the Leary Firefighters Foundation to buy turnout gear and equipment for Detroit firefighters. Because of their ambition, there is more awareness to their challenges. And Detroit firefighters are the toughest around. God bless them. Thanks to "Burn," a few more firefighters may be safer today. Let's keep each other safe.