Detroit on Fire- a documentary

A look at the arson/vacant home problem in Detroit through the eyes of the Detroit Fire Department. Interviews and fire footage. This project began as my project final exam in a documentary film class at the University of Michigan -Dearborn. Note- I added the early days clips at the end after the film was finished. Because of that, I failed to credit FEO Ray Richardson who only appears during credits. Sorry about that Ray. If you would like to purchase a copy, please message me your address and email. Thanks

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• firefighting
• firefighters
• arson
• detroit fire department
• house fires
• detroit
• dfd
• detroit fire documentary
• detroit on fire
• molotov cocktails
• firebombs
• firemen

[The24205]

Really great job Constance! I like the way this is sequenced. It's nice to see the funny, lighter side near the end where they are telling stories. "I didn't get a really good fire until 8 or 9 o'clock (that night)" I was expecting him to say a week. Good job working with what you have brothers and sisters!

And to think the City may have to lose 100 officers until grant money can be re-secured. Sad state of affairs there for sure.

[constanceyork]

@The24205 You're the first person to mention that line. I was thinking the same thing when he said it. :) Thanks for watching.

[Wonkawillie77]

Your excellent documentary states that the City of Detroit received a $24 million grant to raze abandoned and derelict buildings. According to my math that divides out to a little over $13,000 per building. Is that a high cost per unit or is that about right? It seems high to me but I am not in the demolition trade. I think that money could have been better spent to improve the fire department.

[constanceyork]

@Wonkawillie77 The city is supposed to continue to demolish more in the next year as well, I believe... But the majority of the budget - over $13 million went for "acquisition and rehabilitation." For a city that's lost a quarter of its population in the last decade, and losing more every day. Only in the D.

[constanceyork]

@Wonkawillie77 Also- the grant was for the "stabilization of neighborhoods." Vague enough for interpretation , I guess.

[cjtorrice]

Great Job. My dad was a Detroit fireman from the 1950s through the 1980s -- he worked out of Engine 23 most of his career. I have great memories of visiting that house when I was kid in the 60s.

[constanceyork]

@cjtorrice Thank you. It's a great house. If you haven't been back to the neighborhood, you would be shocked what it looks like now.

[greg33770]

An excellent video, it's so much more than a fire video, showing the plight/blight of the inner cities. Listen to these guys, look at the pics, so many empty houses, factories, arson fires, etc.....bad economy. I tip my hat to all the firefighters. This should be shown on Nat. Geo, or Discovery Channel.

[stumper1624]

The thing that isn't in this video is the worn out equipment these guys operate with. No other dept. in this country can get the life of a tool to go as far beyond its expected life span like Detroit can.

Great Job by all.

[ASAAVEDRA43]

Great video and great crew

[cifd143]

great video. these guys see a lot and are some tough firemen. they do a great job. i want to know how the hell did an ex chief from my department get to ride with Detroit. that's insane i would love to ride with my brothers in Detroit and see how they operate. keep up the good work and stay safe brothers

[xDCa760]

IDK About Detroit Being Better Than FDNY but there stand up fireman.I Say This Because fdny has alot alot of high rise fires,whitch means no defense the new york fireman have to be aggressive...

[nickgoering]

THE CITY.. should fix itself.. not hope for the outside to fix it.