Dexter Area Fire Department, Michigan

The Dexter Firefighters Association was licensed by the State of Michigan on June 5, 1947.

The Association was formed for the express purpose of raising funds to purchase equipment for the Dexter Area Fire Department.

Since that time, the Dexter Firefighters Association has purchased many different types of equipment to enable the Dexter Area Fire Department to deliver the best conceivable service to the citizens that it serves.

The Association purchased the first set of hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life) for the fire department. That set of jaws was one of the first purchased and placed in operation by a fire department in Washtenaw County. Prior to purchasing the hydraulic rescue tool, someone trapped in a vehicle accident would be freed using hand tools. This could be a long and arduous process that could significantly compromise an injured persons recovery.

As vehicles have become much more complex with an increased emphasis on passenger survival in the event of a crash, removing victims from these vehicles has also become more complex. The use of higher strength steels has necessitated increasingly stronger cutters to help extricate victims of automobile accidents. The Dexter Firefighters Association has purchased newer and stronger cutting equipment in response to this.

Additional equipment to facilitate safe working conditions at accident scenes has also been purchased by the Association.

The Dexter Area Firefighters Association has also assisted in the purchase of automated external defibrillators for the Fire Department and other locations in the community. The Association has contributed to the purchase of thermal imaging cameras for the Fire Department

The Dexter Firefighters Association contributes funds to groups in the community. Make a Wish, From the Heart, Dexter Daze, Dexter Community Schools, Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Dexter Post 557 American Legion, and the Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association are a few of the groups the Association contributes to.

The Association’s main fund raising effort each year is the social Tent at Dexter Daze. The Association also sells Life Signs, and rents tents for all occasions to raise funds.

The Association owns the equipment you see on this page if you would like to see more fire equipmetnt visit
Ypsilanti Fire Museum