Department History

Growing with Chesterfield Township

Before Chesterfield had its own fire department, the township relied on its neighbors in New Haven, New Baltimore and Mt. Clemens. Residents founded a volunteer department in 1954, and it answered its first call on April 3, 1955. From a single small fire station, it grew to two modern stations serving the eastern and western halves of the township.

As the township grew, so did the department. In June 2001, backed by voter-approved millages, it became a combination department of full-time and paid on-call firefighters. The economic downturn of 2008 to 2010 hit hard. Concerned about funding both police and fire, the township board created the Public Safety Special Assessment District, and the fire department became part of the Chesterfield Township Department of Public Safety.

Today the department protects about 30 square miles and more than 45,000 residents from Fire Station 1 on 22 Mile Road and Fire Station 3 on 23 Mile Road, which is also department headquarters. In 2026 it became the first fire department in Macomb County accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Milestones

1. 1842

   Chesterfield Township is founded, following the first land surveys of the area in 1818.

2. 1947

   Chesterfield gains Charter Township status.

3. 1954

   The community establishes a volunteer fire department. Until then the township was served by the New Haven, New Baltimore and Mt. Clemens fire departments.

4. 1955

   On April 3, the Chesterfield Township Fire Department answers its first call.

5. 1964

   An EF-4 tornado strikes the township, killing 13 people and causing more than four million dollars in damage.

6. 2001

   In June the department becomes a combination department of full-time and paid on-call firefighters, funded by voter-approved millages for operations and equipment. It has 38 personnel at the time.

7. 2008

   The economic downturn of 2008 to 2010 halts the department's growth. The township board creates the Public Safety Special Assessment District, and the fire department joins the police under the Chesterfield Township Department of Public Safety.

8. 2020

   Department leadership chooses the Commission on Fire Accreditation International self-assessment model to set goals and measure performance.

9. 2022

   Chief Craig Miller convenes the Strategic Planning Committee in December.

10. 2023

    Crews begin in-person risk surveys of every part of the township, the community survey gathers 202 responses, and August flooding brings a presidential disaster declaration.

11. 2024

    The Friends of Chesterfield Local Fire Department is founded in May to support firefighters through community events and fundraisers.

12. 2025

    Chesterfield and New Baltimore move to automatic aid, the CNET emergency radio transmitter project begins, and the Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover is completed.

13. 2026

    The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is published, and in August Chesterfield becomes the first fire department in Macomb County to earn CFAI Accredited Agency status.