After a Year of Discussing Alternative, Bingham Farms Continuing with Franklin for Fire Service
(Charlie Haviland, May 3, 2026)
Bingham Farms, MI – In a sudden turn of events after more than a year of speculation, Bingham Farms Village council Thursday officially put to rest the potential for terminating its 40 year relationship with the Franklin Bingham Fire Department (FBFD) to sign on with Bloomfield Township for fire service.
In a written statement read by Bingham Farms Village Manager Jamie Moore at an emergency open meeting of Franklin Bingham Fire Commission and three Bingham Farms village council members, Bingham Farms Village President Lisa Blackburn said the council would “no longer pursue” a contract with Bloomfield Township or any other entity.
Moore read president Blackburn’s statement – Blackburn wasn’t present – at the onset of the emergency meeting. The statement caught 27 year veteran Fire Chief Tony Averbach – and many others – by a welcome surprise as they’d been preparing for the worst.
The FBFD is not a municipal department but an independent 501(c)4, a non-profit private entity which contracts with Franklin Village, Bingham Farms, and Southfield Township.
The Southfield Township contract covers a sliver of property comprised by only seven homes near Fourteen Mile and Inkster Roads, so loss of the Bingham contract would, said Averbuch, would virtually put FBFD out of business and would ostensibly force Franklin to look elsewhere for fire service like the City of Southfield or Farmington Hills.
The Village of Bingham Farms is a 1.2 square mile enclave within Southfield Township east of Telegraph Road between 13 and 14 Mile Roads.
Talks of Bingham Farms switching fire service providers began, according to Bloomfield Township Fire Chief John LeRoy on Bloomfield Community Television, that in February 2026 with a “phone call out of the blue from a representative from Bingham Farms.” LeRoy said in the television interview that he was unable to provide immediate feedback, but that he “would run it up the chain of command” and get the conversation going.
Franklin Fire Chief Averbuch learned about the those discussions between Bingham and Bloomfield from a March 12 magazine article published by Birmingham/Bloomfield outlet “Downtown.”
“Discussions officially began on Monday, March 9,” Downtown reported, “about a potential partnership between the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and the Village of Bingham Farms, which approached the township about providing fire services.” Learning this for the first time, Averbuch pushed back at the March 23 Bingham Farms council meeting during public comment.
“This comes as a surprise to me, “Averbach told the Bingham village council, “as we have been providing services to the village for more than forty years.”
“I needed to address this during ‘Public Comments,’” Averbach told the Oakland County Times, “because the council needed to know and the Bingham Farms residents needed to know that I didn’t know” about the ongoing conversations to end Bingham Farms’ relationship with FBFD.
After Downtown’s reporting, the Bloomfield Community Television program, and Averbuch’s March public comment, Bingham Farms residents responded at the April 27 council meeting in support of sticking with Franklin.
“You were elected to be the voice of the village,” said Maggie Van Camp. “There’s 1200 people about living in the village 930 voters. How many have you talked to that want to do this with the fire department because it isn’t the voice of the people. You would have to have 600 people back you.”
“I’m greatly distressed that this has been discussed only behind closed doors,” said Dawn Ducomb. “I find it very alarming…and there would appear to be no need to hide behind closed doors and operating in secrecy breeds distrust and anger. My hope is that the board will reverse their current course and start including the voices of the residents as to whether we continue with Franklin or move to Bloomfield Township.”
“For the record,” said Ducomb, “the Franklin fire department has responded to six 911 calls to my home – twice were for fires and four times for severe medical situations. They came extremely quickly. They’re very professional and did their best to address the situation and give a sense of calm during my times.”
How Bingham Farms came to explore alternatives to their relationship with the FBFD remains unclear. President Blackburn said at the April 27 meeting that “Franklin has major concerns,” said Blackburn. “They lack fire hydrants.”
Franklin Village President David Goldberg said that “FBFD provides the same service, if not better, and I’m grateful she [Blackburn] has backed off seeking other services.”
Averbuch also responded to concerns about transparency. “Our books are open,” he said. “Our monthly and annual meetings are open to the public. Please come. Problem is, the public rarely attends our open meetings.”
The emergency meeting was led by Bingham Farms council member Eric McAlexander who said, now that his village is moving forward with FBFD, he is here to learn. “What do I know about the fire department? I dial “911” and the fire department shows up. That’s what I know about the fire department.”
Franklin Village President Pro Tem Pam Hansen agrees. “As we move forward,” Shaw said, “the work the fire department and both villages will do is clearly define the service levels needed, determine the costs and together, implement changes. We know there are a lot of variables, but I am clear we have a top level fire department and this process will build on that. I’m grateful the fire department is open to improve service to all channels, including the villages and their residents.”
McAlexander found the “silver lining” in the tense discussions, hoping for more communication between the communities moving forward. “We wouldn’t be sitting here today,” he said, “if all this hadn’t come to pass. Neither Franklin or Bingham could stand alone where fire service is concerned. We don’t want to be swallowed up.”
Learn more about the Franklin-Bingham Fire Department at https://www.fbfd.com/
