VIDEO/PHOTOS: Troy’s fire department, the largest volunteer firefighting force in Michigan, is actively recruiting new members to join their ranks. Right now, there are about 135 volunteers who protect the community. Paul Chambers exemplifies the dual life these firefighters lead. By day, he’s the co-founder of SubSummit and Element5 Digital, companies that help businesses build better subscription models. But when his pager activates, everything changes. “It can go from sitting in a meeting to putting out a fire in someone’s basement within two minutes,” Chambers said. “I can go from a dead sleep to a door step in five minutes or less.” Troy Fire Chief Peter Hullinger explained that the department has operated on a volunteer basis since its founding in 1940, predating the city’s incorporation. “So the fire department is actually older than the city itself,” Hullinger said.
