Postal Worker Injured in One-Vehicle Crash on M-5 in Farmington Hills

The 27-year U.S. Postal Service employee suffered serious injuries in the Saturday morning accident and was treated at Botsford Hospital.

A Saturday morning crash on M-5 near Farmington Road seriously injured a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service. Farmington Hills Fire Chief Corey Bartsch said the 62-year-old woman's arm was stuck underneath her vehicle, and rescue workers had to use air bags to raise the vehicle and release her. Three Farmington Hills crews responded to the scene, he said.  According to a report filed with Farmington Hills Police, the driver told officers that she was picking up a mail truck from a service center in Farmington and driving it back to Walled Lake when the accident occurred. She told police that her phone rang while she was driving on M-5, and she lost control of the vehicle when she reached over to get it out of her purse.  The report …

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Safe and Sound

Deep Frying Turkey Poses Dangers, Farmington Hills Fire Dept. Offers Safety Tips

If you must use a deep frying, Lt. Larry Gauthier says, use it outdoors and scrap your plans if it rains or snows.

The Farmington Hills Fire Department wants to ensure that all residents understand the legitimate concerns regarding the practice of using a deep fryer to cook a turkey. Problems arise because typically most residents do not monitor the process the entire time that the turkey is cooking in the deep fryer. The overall prudent method is to place the turkey in the oven and set a timer to check on it when it is finished cooking. With that said, the Farmington Hills Fire Department, along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.), are strongly discouraging the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse a turkey in hot oil.  “Many people rave about the taste and time saved in the kitchen, …

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Donate New Smoke Alarms at Farmington Hills Fire Department, Comerica Bank

The alarms will be provided to local residents who need the life-saving devices installed in their homes.

The Farmington Hills Fire Department is teaming up with the Detroit Red Wings and Comerica Bank to promote the 11th Annual Smoke Detector Collection and Distribution Campaign.  Farmington Hills fire fighters are asking members of the public to drop off new packaged smoke alarms to Fire Station #5, 31455 11 Mile Rd. (at Orchard Lake Road) in Farmington Hills. Fire fighters are encouraging Scouts, churches, schools, and other civic groups to participate in the collection. As a special thank you, groups who donate will receive a tour of Fire Station #5. Any Farmington Hills resident who lives in a single family dwelling and needs a smoke detector can stop by Fire Station #5 to fill out a smoke detector installation application. Fire fighters …

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Farmington Hills Firefighters Aim to Increase Safety During Open House

Staff Lt. Jason Olszewski says residents can take simple steps to prevent fires.

Residents had a chance to role-play as firefighters Thursday as the Farmington Hills Fire Department hosted an open house from its headquarters. The public participated in activities that supported the National Fire Protection Association’s 2012 theme of “Have Two Ways Out.” Demonstrations focused on fire escape planning and techniques. Attendees dressed in firefighter gear, toured fire trucks and ate free hot dogs. Staff Lt. Jason Olszewski, an 11-year veteran of the department, said events like this provide an opportunity for local firefighters to inform the residents they serve in hopes of increasing protection. “There are many simple steps that residents can take to prevent fires,” said Olszewski. “Without this knowledge, residents put…

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Families Flock to Farmington Hills Fire Department Thursday Open House

Did you take photos of your child having fun? Share them in our gallery.

Farmington Hills firefighters spent Thursday afternoon and evening making new, young friends during an open house at Fire Station 5, located on the city's municipal campus at Orchard Lake and 11 Mile Roads. Children got to climb inside fire trucks, try on gear and were assured they have nothing to fear if a fireman wearing a face mask needs to help them.  Did you get a photo of your child with a firefighter, on a fire truck or with Sparky, the department's mascot? Share it here, by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" link. Need help? Read How to Upload a Photo to Patch. 

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Meet Sparky at Free Farmington Hills Fire Prevention Open House Oct. 11

Held at fire headquarters, the event includes demonstrations, activities and a chance to have your picture taken with the Farmington Hills Fire Dept. mascot.

The Farmington Hills Fire Department is holding its annual Fire Prevention Open House on Thursday, October 11 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fire Headquarters located at 31455 W. 11 Mile Road (at Orchard Lake Road). The free event will feature educational demonstrations from Farmington Hills Fire Fighters and fun activities for all ages. Participants can sit in a fire truck, learn about escape techniques in the Fire Safety House, dress up in fire fighter’s gear, and get their photo taken with Sparky the Fire Dog. Free hot dogs will be provided. Information booths will feature displays from Botsford Hospital, the Farmington Hills Police Department, the City Clerk’s Office, and the Emergency Preparedness Commission. For more information about the …

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Farmington Hills Fire Asks, Do You Have Two Ways Out?

During Fire Prevention Week, the department is urging residents to have and practice a fire escape plan.

If you woke up to a fire in your home, how much time would you have to get out? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one-third of Americans estimate they would have at least six minutes before a fire became life threatening -- unfortunately, that time is often less. The Farmington Hills Fire Department is teaming up with the NFPA during Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 7-13 to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!”.  This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.  “One home structure fire was reported every 85 …

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Arson Suspected in Farmington Hills House Fire

Authorities believe a house fire on Edgemoor was intentionally set.

A Sept. 28 house fire on Edgemoor, off Orchard Lake Rd. south of I-696 in Farmington Hills, was intentionally set, Farmington Hills Fire officials said in a press release issued Thursday.  Staff Lt. Jason Olszewski said the fire was started in the late evening. He said it appears someone poured an unknown accelerant through what may have been an old milk chute on the outside of the home. He said a neighbor quickly spotted the fire, limiting the damage.  A reward of up to $5,000 is available through the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee for information leading to the arrest or conviction of whoever is responsible for the fire. "We're just looking for anyone who noticed anything in the area," Olszewski said, adding the reward "might help …

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Jimmy

6:15 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012

I totally agree with you, Jen... Farmington Hills is a changing place, but change doesn't have to mean higher crime. People need to start being part of the solution instead of just packing up and moving west and complaining about it. I for one am gonna do my part to make sure Farmington Hills doesn't evolve into a crime ridden suburb like a handful of others in the area. I like this community, I …   more ›

Farmington Hills Firefighter, Jazz Musician Stan Barnes Performs Oct. 6

Stan Barnes and Friends will play their seventh concert at the Michael A. Guido Theater in Dearborn.

Whether he's on the job as a veteran Farmington Hills firefighter/paramedic or on stage sharing his love of jazz, Stan Barnes likes helping people.  On Oct. 6, his seventh annual "Stan Barnes and Friends" jazz concert aims to leave those who attend feeling better than when they walked in the door. The concert brings musicians from around metro Detroit to the Michael A. Guido Theater in Dearborn, where they perform and just have a good time.  "We do R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and some classical music," said Barnes, who works out of Fire Station No. 2 on Middlebelt. "It's wholesome entertainment in a stress-free environment. We try to create a musical Nirvana."  Barnes began playing the saxophone in high school and moved on to learn other woodwind…

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