Dearborn Heights Fire Chief Dave Brogan (left) and Mayor Bill Bazzi (right) welcome three new firefighters and celebrate the promotion of one firefighter during a recent ceremony at city hall. Kevin Ryan (second from left) was promoted to Firefighter II, while Firefighters Courtney Chadwick, Dennis Maynard and Kaleb Ahner are new to the Fire Department.
New additions bring department to near-full staffing level
HEIGHTS – The Fire Department recently welcomed four new firefighters and celebrated the promotion of one existing firefighter during ceremonies at city hall. The new additions bring the Department just two short of its full staffing level, with hiring activities in process to complete the two vacancies).
The new firefighters are:
Courtney Chadwick – Chadwick comes to the Fire Department from Rapid Response EMS in Romulus, where she served as an EMT since August 2023. She is a graduate of the Allen Park High School, and completed her Fire Academy, EMT and Paramedic training through the Oakland county Community College Fire Academy – and also holds NREMT and CPR certifications.
Kaleb Ahner – Ahner comes to the Department from the Delhi Township Fire Department where he served as a part-time Firefighter/Paramedic since November 2022. He is a graduate of the Mason High School, and completed his Fire Academy and EMT-B training through the Lansing Community College. He also completed his Paramedic training at Grand Blanc’s Ascension General Hospital. Ahner holds Firefighter 2 and two certifications, and received additional training in HAZMAT Operations, Confined Space Operations and Vehicle Extraction and Stabilization. He is also ACLS/PALS Certified.
Dennis Lee Maynard – Maynard comes to the Department from the Northville Fire Department, where he served as a Firefighter/EMT since December 2023. He earned his Firefighter/EMT training through the Wayne County Community College District Fire Academy. He also completed specialized training in HAZMAT Operations.
Gregory Michael Baile-Jann – Bale-Jann joined the Department from the Wixom Fire Department, where he served as a Firefighter/EMT since September 2016. Baile-Jann completed his Firefighter/EMT training through the Brighton Area Fire Academy and the Life Saving Training Institute, and is currently enrolled in the Paramedic program at Dorsey College. He also served as a member of the U.S. Navy from 2019 to 2022.
The Department also celebrated the promotion of Firefighter Kevin Ryan to the rank of Firefighter II. Ryan is a 14-year veteran of the firefighting profession, with the last five of those years with the Dearborn Heights Fire Department. Prior to joining the DHFD, Ryan served as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Bloomfield Township Fire Department.
He is a graduate of Henry Ford Community College’s Firefighter/Paramedic Program, and Oakland Community College’s Firefighter I and II programs. He has also completed training in Recon Rapid Intervention, the VFIS Drivers “Train the Trainer” program, Vehicle Extrication, O2X Human Performance for Tactical Athletes, and HAZMAT First Responder-Operations.
Ryan is a Veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as a sergeant/specialist of Fire Support and also a graduate of the Army’s Air Assault School.
He is the recipient of several awards, including 2022 DHFD Firefighter of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award from the Bloomfield Township Fire Department, Top Practical Student from the Oakland Community College Fire Academy, and two U.S. Army Good Conduct Medals.
“Dearborn Heights is certainly fortunate to have all of these individuals in our firefighter ranks” Mayor Bill Bazzi said. “They bring a wealth of educational and training expertise, practical work experience and professionalism that will serve the Department – and indeed our community well.”
Fire Chief David Brogan mirrored Bazzi’s sentiment.
“We are delighted to welcome these professionals, and recognize Mr. Ryan’s long-standing commitment to our Department,” he said. “I am pleased that our department now enjoys nearly a full level of staffing, which will certainly help enhance the level of service we provide to the community.”
Dearborn Heights Fire Chief Dave Brogan (left) and Mayor Bill Bazzi (right) welcome new Firefighter Gregory Michael Baile-Jann during his recent swearing-in ceremony.