Off road
New vehicles improve police emergency accessibility
Northville Township police officers and firefighters are learning to navigate off-road terrain with specialized vehicles as they prepare to respond to emergencies in the expanding township park system.
The township recently purchased two utility task vehicles (UTVs) specifically designed to reach areas inaccessible by traditional emergency ambulances or trucks. During a recent training exercise, the new vehicles were deployed in wooded areas designed to simulate real emergency conditions. First responders practiced navigating hills, rough terrain, water areas and muddy conditions at various speeds with the new vehicles.
Police officials said the training comes at a crucial time with the opening of Legacy Park at the site of the former Maybury psychiatric hospital.
The specialized vehicles address a growing need as more hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts visit the parks, officials said. Traditional emergency vehicles struggle to access remote trail areas, potentially adding critical minutes to response times.
"We don't want each mile to equal several minutes for that person in need. We want to be able to go exactly where they are," explained Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Marcotte.
"It's nice for us to come together and train together so that we're both familiar with the equipment and know what each other is capable of," said Northville Township Police Lt. Joshua Pike.
"The gist of it is to make sure the first time somebody is driving, this isn't during an emergency incident. So we've come up with a few obstacles that are unique to the park," said Chris Wiggins, training coordinator for Northville Township Fire Department.
One of the new vehicles can transport patients, providing additional medical response capabilities in remote areas.
"They have this extra little insurance policy while they're out there having fun and enjoying the moment," Marcotte said.
The Northville Fire Department has operated a UTV at Maybury State Park for nearly 20 years for emergency response, Marcotte noted. The new vehicles expand that capability and standardize joint police–fire operations.
