Rod Bennett Named Firefighter of the Year

Scio Township firefighter Rod Bennett was recently recognized by his collegues as the 2010 Firefighter of the Year.

Bennett, who has been with the department for 14 years, said he appreciates the honor.

“This is an all-around pitcher job. You’ve got to be ready for anything big or small and I’m so proud to do it for this township. From the chief, to the association, to the township board – it’s just a great place to work," he said.

Bennett, 58, said he was surprised by the award but doesn’t look at it as recognition for anything unique he accomplished last year. It’s more of a cumulative achievement award for hard work and dependability through the years, he said.  

Scio Chief Carl Ferch agreed, saying firefighters “saw the outstanding way Rod has gone about doing things."

Bennett said if he had to pick an accomplishment that stands out for him, it would be when he safely helped rescue a 70-year-old resident with Alzheimer's disease who was lost in the woods in 2005.

“We looked for him until 3 or 4 a.m. until we called for help,” Bennett said. “(We had) county sheriff deputies, state police, and the University of Michigan medical flight helicopters looking for him, but nobody could find him. I eventually did.”

A native of Ypsilanti, Bennett has lived in Chelsea for 22 years, where he raised twin daughters Brittany and Arielle. A state-licensed engine builder, he’s well-known in that town as a motor enthusiast and can be seen on the streets with his customized hot rods, the current one of which is a 1931 Ford two-door.

“I like the thought of passing cars 80 years younger than mine,” he said. “People know me by the horse power I produce.”

The only remaining member of the Scio Fire Department's class of 1997 and now one of the longest-tenured firefighters in the township, Bennett has eased into an elder statesman role in the department, and enjoys teaching new things to “the boys,” one of whom, 26-year-old Lance Bernard, was coached by Bennett on the soccer field when he was in first grade.

Bennett is quick to point out that being a firefighter does not end when you take off the trademark yellow suit.

“When you’re a public figure and you go out and do public work. You have to enjoy helping people of all walks of life,” he said. “It builds character. It creates who you are.”

Bennett said he's always wanted to be a firefighter, and never gave up on his dream despite several rejections from local fire academies due to overstaffing, while working as a reserve police officer in Wayne County and stints as a recreation youth sports coach before signing onto the Scio Department.

“All my life I’ve tried to get in (firefighting) but I just was never accepted. But I never stopped trying,” Bennett said.