Fire Department Outlook

Executive Summary from Deputy Chief Eric Burghardt,

This is the Oshtemo Fire Department’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. This is our roadmap for serving a growing community with care, professionalism, and accountability. This plan was built around one simple purpose: to make sure we are prepared to meet the needs of our residents, visitors, businesses, and firefighters today while planning responsibly for the future.

This is the department’s first published strategic plan, and it provides structure to the work already underway across the organization. It helps us strengthen our services, improve internal processes, invest wisely in people and equipment, and measure our progress over time. The plan is organized around five pillars: Response, Training, Community Risk Reduction, Administration, and Maintenance. Each pillar represents an essential part of how we protect the community and support the firefighters who provide that service.

Our mission remains clear: to honorably serve our residents, visitors, and fellow firefighters by delivering services with respect, responsibility, and pride. This plan reflects that mission and supports our vision of a professional fire department dedicated to excellence in safety and rescue for a growing community.

As Deputy Chief, I see this plan as more than a document. It is a commitment to continuous improvement, responsible planning, and transparent service to the public. We will continue to review our progress, adjust when needed, and make decisions that strengthen the long-term safety and resilience of Oshtemo Charter Township.

Response Pillar

The Response Pillar focuses on how quickly, safely, and effectively the department responds when someone calls for help. This includes fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, rescues, hazardous conditions, and other urgent calls.

Our long-term strategy is to use data, staffing, training, and clear response practices to improve reliability and consistency. The goal is not only to arrive quickly, but to arrive prepared, organized, and ready to solve the problem. The department will continue to review response performance and make improvements to help us meet the community's expectations.

Training Pillar

The Training Pillar focuses on preparing firefighters for the wide range of emergencies they may face. Firefighters must be ready for routine calls, high-risk emergencies, new technology, and changing community needs.

Our long-term strategy is to provide consistent, practical, and meaningful training that keeps firefighters sharp and confident. This includes basic skills, advanced rescue skills, leadership development, and training with neighboring agencies. Strong training directly improves firefighter safety and the quality of service provided to the public.

Community Risk Reduction Pillar

The Community Risk Reduction Pillar focuses on preventing emergencies before they happen. This includes public education, fire inspections, fire investigations, and identifying risks within the community.

Our long-term strategy is to better understand where risks exist in Oshtemo and then work with residents, schools, businesses, and community partners to reduce those risks. Prevention is one of the most effective ways to protect lives and property. This pillar helps the department move beyond emergency response and into proactive community safety.

Administration Pillar

The Administration Pillar focuses on the internal systems that keep the department accountable, organized, and sustainable. This includes planning, budgeting, policies, personnel processes, records, technology, and performance tracking.

Our long-term strategy is to build clear, reliable systems that support good decision-making and responsible use of public resources. A strong administrative foundation helps the department remain transparent, efficient, and prepared for future growth.

Maintenance Pillar

The Maintenance Pillar focuses on the vehicles, equipment, tools, protective gear, and fire stations needed to provide emergency service. Firefighters depend on reliable equipment every time they respond.

Our long-term strategy is to move from reactive repairs to planned, proactive maintenance. This includes tracking inspections, scheduling repairs, planning equipment replacements, and extending the useful life of major departmental resources. Keeping equipment and facilities ready protects both the public and our firefighters.

Closing Statement

The Oshtemo Fire Department’s strategic plan is designed to guide steady, responsible progress. Each pillar supports the same larger goal: a safer community, a prepared fire department, and a thoughtful approach to future growth.

This plan gives the public a clear view of where we are going and how we intend to get there—with respect, responsibility, pride, integrity, and honor.