About CAFA

   The Chelsea Area Fire Authority was organized in 1999 under ACT 57 OF 1988 after being known as the Chelsea Fire Department, which was organized in 1889. CAFA proudly protects and serves, per the 2000 census report, approximately 19,000 residents living in an area of approximately 123 square miles. CAFA is located in southeastern Michigan, 15 miles west of Ann Arbor and 57 miles west of Detroit. We cover 11 miles of Interstate 94.

   We operate out of one station and protect a combination urban and rural area, including: residential, retail, commercial, agriculture, and railway. We cover seven critical infrastructure sites (SARA Title III) and three regionally prominent nursing/ retirement homes. CAFA is staffed with two full time firefighters/ emergency medical technicians 24 hours a day 365 days a year. CAFA consists of 28 members: seven fulltime, 15 paid on call, and six fire investigators.

   We provide fire, rescue, hazardous materials operations, and basic life support serving the people of the City of CHELSEA and the townships of DEXTER, LIMA, LYNDON, SYLVAN, and WATERLOO. We have a technical rescue team, which has rope, confined space, trench, and structural collapse rescue capabilities.

   CAFA responded to 1262 calls for service in 2008 averaging 3.46 calls per day up 21 percent from five years ago in 2003 responding to 1041 calls for service averaging 2.85 calls per day. CAFA's projected calls for service in 2009 is 1281 based on current (as of 11/09/09) calls per day averages.

Mission Statement

   The mission of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority is to serve the public by reducing deaths, injuries, and minimizing property loss from: fires, hazardous material incidents, motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and any other crisis within our level of training and equipment.

   We strive to achieve this mission through diligent training and state of the art equipment, teamed with dedication and professionalism, while maintaining cost-effective management of public funds. Our success relies upon a proactive organization that understands the future will be determined by the use of our most valuable resource...our personnel.