On January 7, 2026, the Bloomfield Township Fire Department (BTFD) received delivery of a brand-new truck to lead their mission to serve the residents of Bloomfield Township and nearby communities. The $1.8 million Sutphen SPH100 is fully funded courtesy of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
BTFD Chief LeRoy noted a need for this truck in 2022. “After the fire at Oakland Hills, we saw certain limitations with our current trucks in terms of length and adaptability. We needed to find some flexibility when dealing with large structure fires.” He added, “the SPH100 has a longer ladder and a safety bucket, which easily accommodates two firefighters. In this area, we tend to deal with larger homes, and that extra 20 feet of ladder makes a huge difference. It’s about improving the performance and capabilities of our firefighters.”
As we speak, the truck is being properly outfitted for service. The process will be accompanied by extensive training, due to the truck’s overall length and newer components. LeRoy confirmed the goal is to have it ready for service this spring and expects a lifespan of 25 years, like the previous Sutphen truck.
The new truck has the ability to impact more than just Bloomfield Township. The BTFD is a member of OAKWAY, a mutual aid organization consisting of 8 Oakland County fire departments and serving an additional 6 nearby communities. These departments share staffing and resources on structure fires, HazMat, and technical rescue incidents.
In conclusion, LeRoy wants to thank the Township Board of Trustees for their support in this acquisition and the funding from ARPA – which means no taxpayer dollars were needed for this vital upgrade.
The Bloomfield Township Fire Department (BTFD) was organized in 1930 and has progressed into a full-service fire department composed of 67 uniformed career firefighters and officers and one administrative assistant. The mission of the BTFD is to protect lives, property and the environment of the Township and nearby municipalities through prompt, skilled, innovative fire and life safety services with compassion and respect.