York Township Looks to Saline for Long-Term Fire Coverage

York Township’s unanimous vote to join the Saline Area Fire Authority is expected to begin a transition away from Milan Area Fire Department coverage, raising questions about response times, future station plans and the financial impact on the remaining Milan fire communities.

The April 28 special meeting agenda listed one new business item: reviewing the proposed articles of incorporation for the Saline Area Fire Authority and the Saline Area Fire Department’s 10-year strategic plan.

York Township Supervisor Dave Ludwig said the board believes the move is in residents’ best interest over the long term, but said the decision was not made lightly.

“York was fortunate to be served by both departments,” Ludwig said. “It’s worked for all these decades.”

Ludwig said the township will give Milan Area Fire Department 12 months’ notice, but said several details still need to be worked out before the transition is complete.

He said the board is asking residents to look at the larger plan, including long-term staffing, future station needs and a proposed Saline fire substation in York Township.

“People need to know this was done in their best interest, thinking about the big picture and the long term,” Ludwig said. “They will be covered.”

Future Substation Planned for York Township

A 2018 York Township fire area map shows the township divided between the two departments, with Saline covering the northern and western portion and Milan covering the southern and southeastern portion near the city of Milan.

Ludwig said the long-term plan includes building a Saline fire substation in York Township near Willis Road and U.S. 23. He said the substation would be intended to cover the township with 24-hour staffing and improve response to that section of U.S. 23.

However, Ludwig said the substation would have to go to voters through a millage and involves three other municipalities in the Saline Area Fire Authority discussions.

He said the authority discussion is also tied to long-term equipment and facility needs, including older apparatus, building repairs and rising fire truck costs. He said the authority structure could give the department access to grant opportunities that may not be available under the current local funding structure.

“The local budgets cannot afford what Saline needs,” Ludwig said. “This will be better for the whole Saline fire group.”

Milan Raises Coverage, Budget Concerns

Milan Area Fire Chief DJ Carpus said York Township has not yet delivered its required 12-month notice to the Milan Fire Board. He said he anticipates Milan will continue serving its portion of York Township through the 2026-27 fiscal year, pending negotiations.

“Milan will provide coverage until the contract expires, and will continue to provide coverage until York’s withdrawal is completed,” Carpus said.

The decision has drawn concern from some residents in southern York Township who live closer to Milan’s fire station than Saline’s current station. A public post from the Milan Area Firefighters Facebook page, which says it is managed by firefighters and is not an official Milan Area Fire Department page, also raised concerns about response times in those areas.

The post said Saline Area Fire Department is “an excellent fire department,” but said the concern is geography. It said that in some areas, units responding from Saline would have to travel through Milan, where Milan firefighters are already on duty, before reaching the scene.

Carpus said Milan has offered to contract with York Township to continue covering residents Milan can reach more quickly until Saline is able to meet those needs.

Carpus said York Township currently makes up 28.32% of the Milan Area Fire Department’s budget. He said details of the transition are still forthcoming.

Milan Mayor Ed Kolar, who also serves on the Milan Fire Board, said York Township’s decision is disappointing for the Milan Area Fire Department, which has provided fire and emergency coverage for about half of York Township’s territory.

Kolar said losing York Township will affect the department’s fiscal strength.

“The City of Milan, London Township and Milan Township will work together to fill the gaps left by the departure of York Township,” Kolar said. “Our partnership and commitment to the residents of the Milan community are strong and we will continue to improve the services provided by the MAFD.”

London Township Supervisor Penny Turner said costs will “definitely go up” for London Township, Milan Township and the city of Milan if York officially pulls out.

“London Township pays for two fire departments to cover our township,” Turner said. “Without a millage passing, I don’t see us being able to sustain both departments financially.”

Saline Cites Staffing Reliability

Saline Fire Chief Jason Sperle said he and Carpus are “on the same page” and are presenting a united front. He said Milan is a good department, but said the issue is reliable staffing and response.

For interior structural fires, OSHA guidance describes a “two-in, two-out” standard, with at least two firefighters inside a hazardous area and at least two firefighters stationed outside, prepared to enter if needed.

“SAFD can guarantee that response,” Sperle said. “MAFD struggles to get people to respond, let alone four people.”

Sperle said the more populated area of York Township would receive better coverage through Saline.

“The populated area is getting much better coverage,” Sperle said. “It does benefit the residents.”

Milan is also working through its own staffing plan. In March, the Milan Fire Board moved forward with a nearly $1 million 2026-27 budget proposal that included two firefighters serving 12 hours of duty coverage each day, while the department would continue relying on paid-on-call firefighters during unstaffed hours.

Sperle said mutual aid and dual response remain possible as York Township moves toward Saline coverage.

The York Township vote comes as Saline-area communities continue discussing a regional fire authority. Sperle said the authority and any potential millage are separate issues.

York Township’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 12. The Milan Fire Board’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 28 at the Milan Area Fire Department, though Carpus said that date could change because of the Milan Fair.

Featured photo: York Township Hall on Stony Creek Road. Photo by Heather Finch