07/16/2026
As questions continue to come up regarding the upcoming fire millage, we want to address some of the misinformation currently circulating, including messages claiming that homeowners could see tax increases of up to $2,000 over the next four years from the fire millage alone. That information is incorrect.
First, the Highland Township Fire Department millage is completely separate from the Oakland County Schools millage. Second, this proposal is a renewal of the current fire millage with an additional 0.47 mills—not a new 2.32 mill increase as has been suggested. The current millage rate is 1.85 mills, and the proposal would increase it to 2.32 mills.
For the owner of an average $400,000 home, that increase amounts to approximately $94 per year, or about $7.83 per month.
The additional funding would be used to support proper staffing levels, competitive wages for firefighters and paramedics, rising equipment costs, training, and ongoing maintenance and operational expenses. If the proposal does not pass, the current millage will expire, leaving the department without this funding source moving forward.
We also understand that many residents have recently experienced higher taxes related to the construction of the new public safety facilities. However, this millage proposal is unrelated to those projects. The previous facilities had become outdated and were no longer capable of meeting the demands of a growing community or modern emergency services.
As the fire service has evolved, emergency medical responses have become a much larger part of our mission. Combined with ongoing private ambulance staffing shortages and delays, Highland Township made the transition to providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport services directly to our residents. Providing that level of care requires adequate staffing and competitive wages for firefighter/paramedics.
Currently, neighboring departments often pay 20% or more in salary and benefits compared to Highland Township. The commitment our members have to this community is a major reason many have chosen to stay, but retaining experienced personnel long-term requires competitive compensation.
Today, the department staffs a minimum of four personnel on duty at all times: two at Station 1 and two at Station 2. Data shows that approximately 39% of our calls overlap, meaning both crews are already committed to emergencies at the same time. When that occurs, there is effectively no immediate coverage remaining within the township for additional emergencies.
In those situations, the township must rely entirely on mutual aid departments, which can add 10 to 15 minutes to response times. When seconds and minutes matter, those delays can have life-changing consequences.
Modern homes also burn significantly faster than they did decades ago. Twenty years ago, flashover conditions often took 17 to 20 minutes to develop. Today, due to modern construction materials and furnishings, homes can reach flashover in as little as 3 to 5 minutes.
The same urgency applies to medical emergencies. During cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest, permanent brain damage can begin after only four minutes without oxygen. Fast response times save lives.
Additionally, NFPA staffing standards recommend a minimum of four firefighters on an engine company to safely and effectively perform fireground operations. Currently, there are incidents where only two firefighters—and occasionally even a single firefighter—are responding with an engine while another crew member responds separately with the rescue unit. That reality increases risk for both firefighters and the residents they serve.
We encourage residents to verify information they read online and to rely on reputable sources when evaluating this proposal. If you have questions or concerns about the millage, please contact Fire Chief Nick George directly. We welcome the opportunity to provide accurate information and answer any questions you may have.
