Annual Report 2023

It was an exciting and busy year at your LTFD. Click here for a look at 2023 in our Annual Report.

or view all reports, stats, and studies.

Your Lake Township Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 15,000 residents over 35 miles of suburban, rural, and industrial area, including the villages of Millbury and Walbridge.

Quick reference

for the most frequently-asked questions.

100-year-old system
facing modern challenges

Getting an ambulance or fire engine to your house: 30 years ago, it was no problem. Volunteer firefighters could drop everything even if they were at work and respond to the sound of the fire sirens. Today, the fire service as a whole is up against the same frightening question: how do we make sure someone shows up when you call 9-1-1?

  • An aging population and delays in access to primary care physicians is putting more of the healthcare burden on emergency services across the nation.

  • Saving lives requires hundreds of hours of initial training — in the case of paramedics, it’s over a thousand. Plus, there are continuing education requirements to stay up-to-date with the latest advances. In the volunteer model, this is difficult to sustain while balancing family and a full-time job.

  • Back in the day, employers understood the commitment of volunteer firefighters on their payroll. Today, all industries are struggling to find workers — leaving employers understandably less likely to let firefighters leave work to respond to an emergency. Plus, the days of working in the town you live in are past us — putting many of our volunteers a distance away during the day, even if they were allowed to leave.

  • As departments adjust to the new demands, those who go full-time first get their pick of the candidate pool. One full-time hire at another department can leave three or four departments left to fill part-time positions.

Incidents over 9 years

3 fire stations serving 35 square miles.

Station 26

 

Station 27

 

Station 28

 

  • Emergency Medical Services

    24/7 Advanced Life Support provided by LTFD paramedics and EMTs.

  • Fire Suppresion

    Skilled firefighters ready to save lives and property.

  • Rescue & HazMat

    Specialized calls? We do that, too.

  • Community Outreach

    From prevention to education,
    we’re here for anyone ages 1 to 99.

We’re here for you.

A message from the chief

Each and every decision we make comes down to what’s best for you, our citizens. Each training drill, each operational plan, the equipment we use. After all, we’re your insurance policy. Your financial support pays for a service you hope to never use. But rest assured, the moment you need us, we’ll be there — well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to serve — thanks, in large part, to your support.

We strive to be transparent. We welcome you to join us to observe a drill, or simply ask how your fire department functions. Feel free to contact me — 419-837-4026 or email firechief@laketwp.com.

Barrett Dorner
Fire Chief

For emergencies, always call 9-1-1.

Emergencies include:

  • Fire

  • Smoke or fumes

  • Carbon monoxide alarm activation

  • Any life-threatening situation

But for everything else — feel free to fill out this form.