One of Northville Twp.’s first career firefighters retiring after 28 years

In the Northville Township Fire Department, badge numbers tell a story and Battalion Chief Brent Muller’s badge, No. 5, speaks volumes.

As one of the Township’s first full-time firefighters, he has been part of the Department’s foundation and growth for nearly three decades. He was 18 when he first put on the Township fire turnout gear.

At the time, Six Mile Road was dirt and the current Northville High School had yet to be built.

Now, as he prepares to retire after 28 years of service, he leaves behind a legacy of leadership, mentorship and dedication. His final shift is May 14, with an official retirement date of June 1.

Township’s loss is city’s gain

He is not going far, though. He will be stepping into a new role as the first-ever Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Northville.

“It was just a very tough decision, because the work here is great,” Muller said. “The people on the Fire Department are great. The Township has been great.

“These last three, four years have been the best out of my 28 years in the fire service.”

He was sought out for this new opportunity, though, and the bonus is its one he gets to create because he’s the first Deputy Fire Chief the City has ever had.

Solid Foundation, Second Family

Over the course of his career, Muller has not only witnessed, but helped lead the Township through tremendous growth. When he first joined the department in 1997, first as a paid on-call firefighter and then transitioning to a full-time career firefighter in 1999, crews responded to fewer than 1,000 calls annually.

Today, that number has grown to nearly 4,000 runs per year, reflecting both the Township’s expansion and the increasing complexity of modern emergency services.

As a Battalion Chief, he is responsible for incident command during major emergencies, mentoring the next generation of firefighters and ensuring the safety and readiness of crews.

Yet, when asked what he’ll miss most, his answer is simple: the people.

“The best part of the job is sitting down with your crew, sharing a meal, and just laughing together,” he said. “That’s your second family.”

One of those family members is Lt. Michael Obermiller.

“While there are many things I will miss, his experience and institutional knowledge are truly irreplaceable,” Obermiller said. “He understands the history of the Township and can explain the ‘why’ behind the way things are.

“I will also miss his role as a solid sounding board for both professional and personal advice. He is a great listener who provides constructive feedback that reflects a genuine desire to see others succeed.”

A Career Inspired by Family

Family is why he pursued a firefighting career. His father, uncle and cousin were all in the industry.

“It’s the family business,” Muller said. “I’m one of the lucky ones who knew what I always wanted to do since I was a young kid.”

Muller and his wife, Kristal, have three children. The oldest, Landon, 16, wants to be a firefighter as well. His 15-year-old twins, Dylan and Morgan, haven’t committed to it yet.

He expects with his new role that he will reclaim something many firefighters sacrifice throughout their careers: time with family. After years of working 24-hour shifts, he looks forward to attending his children’s sporting events.

Cheering them on in baseball, soccer, football and volleyball will be his hobby.

A Transition That Strengthens Regional Partnership

While the Township will miss his daily leadership, his move to the City of Northville represents a unique opportunity to strengthen an already close partnership between neighboring communities.

In his new role, Muller will help lead a department that serves both the City of Northville and the City of Plymouth, focusing on mentorship, operations and strategic development.

“This is a rare opportunity, not just professionally, but regionally,” said Township Manager Glenn Caldwell. “Having someone with deep roots in Northville Township stepping into a leadership role next door creates a stronger connection between our departments and ultimately benefits the residents we
both serve. I’m excited for our community and for Brent.”

Muller echoed that sentiment, noting that his move is not a departure, but an evolution.

“I’m lucky. It’s right down the road. I already know the community, and I’ll still get to work with the people here from time to time,” he said.

Northville Township Fire Chief Jesse Marcotte is grateful their paths will continue to cross often.

“Brent has not just been part of this department’s milestones, he helped create them,” said Chief Marcotte. “The culture, the progress and many of the things we value today have his fingerprints on them. That kind of impact is rare.

“While it’s bittersweet to see him retire from Northville Township, I’m genuinely excited for him. This new role strengthens the entire Northville community, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside him in a different way.”

Thank you to Northville Township Communications Director Rene Wisely for contributing this article to SocialHouseNews.com.