Mount Clemens Fire Department adds three firefighters to its roster – Macomb Daily

The new Mount Clemens firefighters are Jacob Piper, Jacob Korzenowski and Nate Townsend. (MITCH HOTTS – THE MACOMB DAILY)

Mount Clemens Fire Chief Danny Reynolds congratulated the first three men hired under his leadership with a message of selflessness.

“Your job is no longer about you,” he told the trio. “This concerns everyone except you.”

Reynolds made the remarks to a packed crowd at Monday's city commission meeting, where the men received their badges to officially become members of the fire department.

Much of the packed house was made up of family members and friends of the three new firefighters.

They are: Nate Townsend, Jacob Korzenowski and Jacob Piper.

Piper had his badge pinned on by his wife, Ashley Piper, while Korzenowski's mother, Lisa, took care of her son's badge. Shelby Townsend, Nate's sister, played the role of his brother.

The ceremony marked the end of a one-year probationary period and the men are now officially members of the Mount Clemens Fire Department, according to the chief.

“You are now officially charged with caring for and protecting the public from fires and other emergencies for many years to come,” Reynolds said.

“It is officially your responsibility to put yourself in harm's way to protect the residents and visitors of Mount Clemens, and/or any other jurisdiction we may be summoned to appear before,” he said.

The chief, who was hired by the city in late 2023, said new hires should set their performance and expectations “higher than what others would set for you.” Work harder than others. Be kinder than others.

With these additions, Mount Clemens has a minimum complement of 12 firefighters, according to the administration.

Reynolds came to Mount Clemens with 27 years of fire service experience, including six as Armada Fire Chief. He also served as program director for the Macomb Community College Fire Academy and training coordinator for the Michigan State Bureau of Fire Services.

He succeeded Gregg Shipman, a 26-year fire veteran who was named chief in 2020. In 2022, Shipman served in the dual role of city manager and fire chief under a memorandum of understanding with the union firefighters.

Shipman now serves solely as city manager.