Two MI Communities Look at Formalized Fire, EMS Responses Plans

Jackson and Summit Township fire departments hope the formal aid agreement will enhance coordination, response times and improve training.

By Nathan Clark

Source mlive.com

Nov. 27, 2025

2 min read

The resolution allows the Jackson and Summit fire departments to collect data, evaluate performance, and develop a plan to better coordinate emergency response, improve firefighter readiness, and use resources more efficiently.

JACKSON, MI – Firefighters from Jackson and Summit Township have long supported each other during emergency calls.

Now they are one step closer to having a formal agreement to help the two departments meet their goal of maintaining public safety.

The Jackson City Council and the Summit Township Board of Trustees approved a resolution Nov. 19 supporting enhanced collaboration between the Jackson Fire Department and the Summit Township Fire Department.

The resolution allows the departments to collect data, evaluate performance, and develop a plan to better coordinate emergency response, improve firefighter readiness, and use resources more efficiently.

The two departments have been working towards a formal aid agreement that would benefit both jurisdictions.

“From here, we’ll be working strategically on a comprehensive plan to integrate staffing, administration, emergency response, and joint purchasing,” Jackson Fire Chief Tim Gonzales said. “The goal is to maximize efficiency, ensure long-term sustainability, and maintain strong fiscal responsibility for both communities.”

Over the past five years, the two departments have collaborated on initiatives that have benefited both communities operationally and financially.

These initiatives include shared training, improved response districts, and joint maintenance agreements.

Most recently, in 2024, the two fire departments have been testing response times based on proximity, responding to medical emergencies outside their township or city limits if the call is closer to where they are stationed.

“At that time, we conducted a trial run on several collaborative projects strictly for data collection. Those pilots helped us assess operational impacts, and the results showed clear benefits for both departments,” Gonzales said.

A prior data collection showed the departments are not overwhelmed by responding to more emergencies, and each saved on fuel costs responding to areas closer to their stations, Gonzales said.