Groveland Twp. – Steve McGee was recently honored for 30 years of service to the Groveland Township Fire Department.
Steve, who serves as fire chief to the department, became a Groveland Township fire cadet in October 1974 at the age of 16 after ‘hanging around? local firefighters.
‘Back then there were all volunteer people who were campaigning for new firefighters. They were basically looking for strong men,? said Steve.
Steve’s mother Merilyn McGee, who originally volunteered to answer phones, eventually become the first female firefighter in the state, Steve said.
He became a regular firefighter at 18, and a full-time firefighter at 19, eventually attending Oakland Community College and Oakland University to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Later Steve completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officers four-year program.
‘I always thought I’d do something else, with college, but (firefighting) is different every day, we help people. There’s a lot of good reasons to do it. I’d like to do another 25 years.?
Steve is married to Tracey McGee, and has a son Alex, 18, who attends Kettering University; and a son Drew, 16, who attends Brandon High School. The McGees reside in Groveland Township.