The Northville Township Fire Department is promoting Jesse Marcotte to Fire Chief and Kyle Lewis to Deputy Fire Chief, continuing a long-standing tradition of developing leaders from within and building a strong foundation for the future.

Marcotte, who marks his 24^th year with the Department this August, succeeds retiring Fire Chief Brent Siegel. Lewis, a 13-year veteran, steps into the Deputy Fire Chief role after serving as Fire Marshal for two years. Both appointments are effective March 21.

Deputy Chief Marcotte will take over for the retiring Fire Chief Brent Siegel, whose 20-year career with Northville Township and decade as chief helped shape the Department into a nationally recognized organization known for professionalism, performance and preparedness.

Under Siegel’s leadership, the Department added Advanced Life Support services, strengthened succession planning and opened its second fire station at the Essential Services Complex, building a culture focused on teamwork and continuous improvement.

Marcotte and Lewis represent continuity, experience and a shared commitment to maintaining the high standards that have made the Northville Township Fire Department a nationally respected organization.

“For the past 24 years, Jesse has had a part in every significant organizational accomplishment we’ve had,” said Chief Siegel. “The department is in an excellent position, and I could not be happier to hand the baton to Jesse Marcotte. Jesse and Kyle will complement each other well as a powerhouse team.”

Township Manager Glenn Caldwell agrees.

“I am excited to see Jesse and Kyle step into these important leadership roles,” Manager Caldwell said. “They are thoughtful, highly capable professionals who understand this organization, this community and what it takes to lead with integrity. Their promotion reflects the strength of our succession planning and the depth of talent within the Department.”

Focusing on Continuity of Operations

Marcotte said his initial focus is to preserve the consistency and clarity the Department has worked hard to build. Colleagues have heard him say, “continuity of operations” since Chief Siegel announced his retirement.

“Part of getting to the future is understanding where we are today and being able to maintain that during this transition,” Marcotte said. “We want to make sure we continue the level of service our community expects while always looking for ways to improve.”

That vision aligns with the Fire Department principle: building a foundation for the future.

“It will always be our job to prepare the next person, the next leader and the next generation,” Marcotte said. “Everybody here is being developed for what comes next. That’s part of who we are.”

In the Beginning

Marcotte began his fire service career in 2002, two weeks after turning 19 years old. He came up through Northville Township’s ranks after first becoming interested in the fire service at age 15 after attending his first Fire Explorer class.

Over the years, he has built a reputation as a strong instructor and strategic thinker, becoming the Training Coordinator from 2013-2025. He has served as a lead instructor for various fire department programs delivered nationally. In addition to training the entire Northville Township Fire Department on a daily basis, he is a senior education and training coordinator for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), a part of UL Research Institutes, joining the team in 2023. He currently serves on the ISFSI Board of Directors, a role he will pause at the end of his term to concentrate on his Fire Chief duties.

He and his family live in Northville Township, a reflection, he said, of his confidence in the community and the services it provides.

Mentoring Leads to a New Deputy Chief

Lewis said his promotion is both humbling and meaningful, particularly because Marcotte has been one of his mentors since his first day with the Department.

“On my very first day here, Jesse was exactly what I thought a professional firefighter should be,” Lewis said. “To now serve as his Deputy Chief is a full-circle moment for me, and one I’m incredibly proud of.”

Lewis joined the Department in 2013 after starting in the volunteer fire service in Troy. He later rose through the ranks in Northville Township, serving as Lieutenant, Captain and, most recently, Fire Marshal. In that role, he handled highly technical responsibilities including fire investigations, inspections, code issues and plan reviews, while also building strong working relationships across Township departments.

Marcotte selected Lewis as Deputy Chief for those reasons and more.

“Kyle has made the most of every opportunity he’s had, and he’s excelled every time,” Marcotte said. “He is incredibly focused, team-oriented and committed to doing things the right way. He has the experience, judgment and leadership skills to help move this Department forward.”

Lewis recently collaborated with an apartment complex after a recent fire investigation revealed coincidental fire code violations, triggering a comprehensive inspection campaign. These findings prompted the Department to conduct more than 160 inspections of common areas and living units. Lewis coordinated with his colleagues to create multiple inspection teams, completing the work efficiently while ensuring the safety of every resident remained the top priority.

In addition to his operational and prevention experience, Lewis served six years as union president, a role he said helped prepare him for broader leadership responsibilities.

“That experience taught me how to represent people, advocate for people and make decisions with the bigger picture in mind,” Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to being present for our staff, supporting their professional development and helping maintain the standard that makes this Department special.”

Second Station Cuts 2 Minutes Off Response Times

Both leaders said a major priority will be supporting training and development across the Department as it continues to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. With the first anniversary of the second fire station at the Essential Services Complex approaching in May — and response times reduced by nearly two minutes — they also see new opportunities to strengthen service delivery.

“It’s not just about getting there faster,” Marcotte said. “It’s about what happens once we arrive and how quickly we can start making a difference. That second station and second engine have been a game changer for our service delivery.”

Marcotte added that the Department’s strength comes from its people and their commitment to growth.

“We have a deep bench of talented professionals here,” he said. “Part of our responsibility in these roles is making sure the people coming behind us have the resources, support and preparation they need to succeed.”

Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo said the promotions reflect the quality of leadership within the Fire Department.

“Jesse Marcotte and Kyle Lewis represent the best of our organization,” Supervisor Abbo said. “They are talented, collaborative leaders who care deeply about this community and the people they serve. Their partnership will be a strong asset to the Township moving forward. I am confident the Department will continue to thrive under their leadership.”