Canton Firefighters recently took part in the Regional Alliance for Firefighter Training's annual Extrication Competition held at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn. The competition included 10 teams made up of firefighters from area fire departments. During the competition teams were given staged scenarios replicating traffic accidents and were tasked with removing crash dummies or "victims" from the vehicles. The teams were scored on speed as well as technique and safety. Click on either picture (left or right) to enlarge it.



11/19/04 - Here are pictures of a hot dog eating contest between FF/Medic's Phil Mack (pictured right) and Mike Thoms.

The winner, Phil Mack, ate 17 coney dogs in approximately 1 hour.

07/23/03 - Officer Gordon (Lew) Lewis Stevens died July 23, 2003 in the line of duty. Officer Stevens was investigating an abandoned vehicle on Lotz Road north of Van Born Road (just south of the railroad tracks) when his police vehicle was struck from behind. The driver of that vehicle, a 22 year old Kentucky man, has been charged with Second Degree Murder. Officer Stevens began his career with the Canton Police Department as a Reserve officer in 1976. Stevens, a 25-year veteran of the Canton Police Department, was one of the original officers hired in 1978 when the police department began providing full-time police services to the community.

02/24/04 - UPDATE - Kurtis R. Bragg was found guilty, today, of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony. He was charged in the death of Officer Gordon "Lew" Stevens resulting from a tragic vehicle accident this past summer. The case was heard today before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Hathaway. The jury began deliberation at approximately 11:40 a.m. and came back with a verdict at approximately 2:15 p.m.

03/12/04 - UPDATE Today Judge Hathaway of the Wayne County Circuit Court sentenced the defendant to 36 months to 15 years for the crime of manslaughter.

Lew, as he was affectionately called, is the first officer in Canton to fall in the line of duty. He will be deeply missed by fellow officers and employees of the Department.

Donations: can be made to the Gordon L. Stevens Trust
c/o Bank One
45435 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187

10/27/02 - Pictures (right & left) are of Captain Ken Able who ran in the 27th Annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. this year. Ken ran the complete marathon wearing firefighter turn-out gear. Ken earned $1900.00 in donations, which will go to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Burn Fund. Congratulations Ken !!!!!

1/29/99 - Here are some pictures of Canton Fire Fighters battling an Apartment Fire which also required assistance from Plymouth Community Fire Department.

6/11/99 at 08:00, Canton Professional Fire Fighter/Paramedics began providing an Advance Life Support (ALS) service to its residents and community. Prior to this service Canton Fire Department only provided a Basic Life Support service. With ALS, Canton Fire Fighter/Paramedics will be able to provide the highest level of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) available, to its community.

5/25/99 - Congratulations are in order. All of the Canton Fire Fighters (pictured right) have passed the State of Michigan Paramedic written and practical exams. EXCELLENT JOB and GOOD WORK. These fire fighter/paramedics in addition to the 8 current fire fighter/paramedics will allow Canton to begin providing Advance Life Support to its community. The picture to the right show fire fighter/paramedics along with Jim Buell (front) and Mike Kotulak (back), Instructor/Coordinators from LSTI (Life Safety Training Institute in Southfield, MI)

The picture to the left, shows (from left to Right) Treasurer Elaine Kirchgatter, Trustee John Burdziak, Trustee Robert Shefferly, and Supervisor Tom Yack standing with the new Advance Life Support Unit.

Questions about Canton Professional Fire Fighters Union and/or Web Site to: Timothy J. Dunn
Canton Professional Fire Fighters Union
Local 2289
1100 S. Canton Center Road * Canton, MI 48188
(734) 398-5262