Brandon Fire Department Robert McArthur says they’re ready.
Given a steady increase in emergency calls coupled with a local building boom, McArthur has spent the last several years working with other local officials contending with a forecasted population increase.
‘Right now we have a 10 year plan for growth in the area,? said McArthur, local fire chief since 1996. ‘We’ve worked very closely with Brandon officials to make plans for growth’yet it’s going to take yet another step.?
McArthur said that a new fire station at Oakwood and Hurd roads in Brandon Township is scheduled to be built later this year. The $1.3 million unmanned station, will house three fire vehicles including a new engine and serve the northeast portions of the Brandon Township area. McArthur said that a ground breaking is set for later this summer with occupation sometime in February 2004.
From new fire stations to long term planning a recent report from the United States Census confirms that from April 2000 to July 2002 local communities are growing faster than both Oakland and Genesee counties? average growth. The Village of Goodrich along with Brandon and Atlas townships lead the area population change.
Another concern of McArthur’s is the growth of nearby Oxford Township, which increased dramatically from 12,485 to 13,849, a 10.9 percent gain, between 2000 and 2002. The Oxford population hike ranks in the top two percent among more than 2,000 communities throughout the state.
‘The overflow of Oxford is a concern of ours in the township since they’re right next door.?
Other area communities have also been proactive with their approach to population increases.
‘We’ve revised our Master Plan several times,? said Paul Amman, Atlas Township supervisor. ‘Contending with a population increase requires several changes and adjustments.?
Amman included several factors including more police officers, additional fire hydrants and changes in the business district as proactive measures to deal with the increase.
‘We anticipate a certain amount of growth each year,? added Amman. ‘We don’t forecast a specific number, but we prepare for growth.?
Atlas Township, ranked in the top 20 percent statewide in growth among communities, joins nearby Goodrich which ranks in the top 15 percent statewide.