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| Township Battalion Chief Chris Koth retired from the department last week. |
Koth's passion for helping others has been the hallmark of his storied professional career, which was spent entirely in Northville Township but not always as a firefighter/paramedic.
He began as a reserve police officer in 1992 where he was a member of the motorcycle patrol unit and a reserve field training officer. He rose to the rank of reserve sergeant. In 1996, he furthered his life-saving skills by becoming an on-call firefighter and then in 1998, was hired as a dispatcher. Koth continued to work in all three roles until he transitioned to full-time firefighter in 2000 and has worked for the Northville Township Fire Department since then.
“This suits my personality better and I felt like I could do more good here and experience less confrontation. And so that's the direction I went,” Koth said.
Koth served as a paramedic, a lieutenant and was then named to the rank of battalion chief. His love for learning was apparent in every role he took, officials said, and even in his final weeks leading up to his retirement, he approached every training the department undertook with eagerness.
“Learning and training is how you stay safe on the job,” he said.
Koth's rope rescue expertise is well-known throughout the state. He's a founding member and team leader on the Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue (WWUSAR) team. He served as a rescue specialist and water rescue specialist with Michigan Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Region 2, Task Force 1. In his off time, he teaches rope rescue around the state for the Michigan USAR Training Foundation, a role he will continue after retirement.
“We've only had one rope rescue in Northville Township and that was when a kid climbed up a tree and got stuck,” said Koth. He rescued the child using the skills he first developed when he took up rock climbing his first year at Northern Michigan University, where he briefly studied engineering.
“Battalion Chief Koth has dedicated more than 30 years to the Northville community,” said Northville Township Fire Chief Brent Siegel. “We are grateful for the various roles he has filled and the leadership he has provided to those who have worked with him. He has done a great job developing the new officers who will fill his shoes.”
One of Koth's hobbies will be his new career. He and his wife, Kendra, are opening a business in northern Michigan where they will provide fiberglass boat repair services.
Koth developed a love for this skill when he bought a 40-year-old boat and made his own repairs as part of a complete rehab. He said he already has several customers lined up.
The Upper Michigan climate may also provide a venue for another of Koth's hobbies, hockey. While he isn't hanging up his hockey skates, he hung up his coach's whistle about four years ago, he said. He coached both of his children, Ashley and Jake, in the sport.
Normally soft spoken, Koth admitted he becomes loud on the ice and while leading the department at an emergency.
“On scenes, I'm totally different,” he said.
And he added, he is always proud of what he and his fellow firefighter/paramedics accomplish.
“The chief asked me the other day what my proudest moment was,” Koth said. “I'm proud of all of it.”
