Katrease Stafford

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT —Detroit firehouse Ladder Company 22 has had thousands of dollars worth of equipment stolen before, but a theft early Sunday was like a slap in the face.

For the second time in less than two years, the firefighters' chainsaw and large K-14 saw were stolen from their truck— this time while they battled a blaze.

They were responding to a fire on Dundee Street near Grand River. Firefighter Jeremy Mullins said there have been about 10 fires in a three-block area within the past three days.

"We parked the rig and fought the fire," Mullins said. "When we came back and opened the compartment, they were gone. ... It was easy pickings. It's very frustrating. I've put in a lot of effort to get things like that for my firehouse and other firehouses to make sure they have what they need. To have them stolen, it's a slap in the face."

The saws are vital to fighting fires and saving lives, Mullins said.

The chainsaw is used to breach roofs to let the heat out during a fire, he said, so that firefighters don't get burned. The K-14 can be used to cut just about anything, Mullins said, including steel, wood, metal, chains and fences.

The saws cost about $2,000 a piece.

Mullins said the first theft happened about two years ago at the firehouse at 6830 McGraw. He said the firefighters on duty that night had gone down the street to grab something to eat from a restaurant. When they went back to the firehouse, they noticed the saws were gone.

Mullins got the word out that they were looking for used saws to replace the old ones. The National Firefighters Endowment offered to buy the firehouse two new saws.

Mullins said after the first theft, the firefighters installed a bracket and a chain in Ladder 22 and locked both saws up.

"We learned our lesson and would lock them up religiously in the compartment," he said.

But Ladder 22's rig is in the repair shop, so the firefighters are using a temporary pickup truck with a pump on the back. Mullins said firefighters were unable to secure the saws, leaving the equipment vulnerable.

Mullins was able to replace the chainsaw by using money the firefighters had saved up to repair the firehouse's kitchen, which is in disrepair. Mullins, who has been a firefighter for nearly 14 years, said the city is unable to cover the cost.

"We do more with less," he said. "It's gotten worse and it's getting progressively worse."