Pontiac Fire Department's last day

PONTIAC (WXYZ) - A lot of history hangs in the halls of Pontiac’s main fire station. 

Pictures showcase the brave men who risk their lives daily for their community. Tuesday, a photographer documented the last day the building will be running as part of the Pontiac Fire Department.

Wednesday morning, the Waterford Fire Department will take over and respond to calls in the city of Pontiac. A decision made by an Emergency Manager to cut costs.

“A lot of sorrow obviously. A lot of pride,” said firefighter Drew Fortney. 

“There’s no preparation for it,” said Captain Matthew Nye. “It feels like tomorrow will go on and we will still be here but we know it’s not going to happen.”

Tuesday afternoon, the firefighters prepared their final meal together as a Pontiac Fire Department. Forty-two of them will make the move to Waterford.

Several other are in the process of joining Waterford’s Fire Department.

Throughout the day, many people have been stopping by the building to support those worked there.  "We’ve got guys that are off duty that have been here all day,” said Fortney.

“The Emergency Manager doesn’t make sense,” said concerned resident Quincy Stewart. “It just doesn’t make sense. This is not helping Pontiac at all. It’s hurting us.”

More than 40 firefighters who made up the Pontiac Fire Department, have spent a lot of time together over the years. Many of them have worked long hours.

Fortney tells Action News they have bled together, burned together. He calls them his brothers. “They can take away our patch. They can take away paychecks, they can take away anything they want… except for the fact that every single one of us loves everyone and we would do anything for each other,” said Fortney.

While saying goodbye to a place that’s been home to Nye for more than a decade, he is grateful he still has a job.  Even though he will be a Waterford firefighter he will still respond to calls in Pontiac.

“I think time heals everything,” said Nye. “We will still remain professional firemen. We have a job to do for this community and the people in this community."

Nye is hopeful Pontiac will have its own fire department down the road.

Waterford firefighters will arrive at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. There will be a short ceremony where they will lower Pontiac’s flag and raise Waterford’s flag outside the station.

Pontiac’s flag will be placed in a display case to honor the history of the city.