Eastpointe fire chief settles into new role

EASTPOINTE — When he was 7 years old, Jason Clark already knew his career path: to become a firefighter.

“I grew up in Southfield and we used to have block parties,” Clark said. “The firefighters would always come to the block parties. I think that probably had some inspiration.”

He also spent a lot of time visiting a Pontiac fire station with family friend Harvey Holland, a battalion chief who “was definitely an influence as well.”

Clark, 40, is living out his childhood ambition. For almost 20 years, he has been a firefighter/paramedic for the Eastpointe Fire and Rescue Department, helping residents with medical emergencies, responding to car crashes and fighting fires with the other crew members. 

After moving up the ranks to become a sergeant, lieutenant and battalion chief, Clark was recently promoted to Eastpointe fire chief. City Manager Mariah Walton, who appointed Clark to the position, swore him in March 5. Walton worked her last day with the city March 6, before leaving to take a job with the city of Ann Arbor.

“Chief Clark brings nearly 19 years of experience with the Eastpointe Fire Department. In addition to his extensive background in fire science, prevention, and safety, he is also a registered nurse and a tactical paramedic,” Walton said via email. “Chief Clark has served the Eastpointe community with honor and has received three lifesaving awards, several unit citations, merit awards, and recognition for mentoring new members of the Eastpointe team. His passion for the Eastpointe community is evident, and I am confident that he will continue to serve both the department and the city well.”

In his new role, Clark’s administrative responsibilities will range from managing the department’s budget to making sure the firefighters are trained and have the proper equipment and tools needed for fire suppression and medical emergencies. Ensuring licenses are up to date and monitoring the marshal division and prevention are also part of the new chief’s many duties. 

“Taking this position took a lot of thought to think if I wanted to move out of the ranks of riding the rigs and being on the trucks with the guys, because that was a passion of mine for a long, long time,” Clark said. “But the timing was right and just felt like maybe I can build on some of the positive stuff already done around here from the past administration. I think the past administration set some things up very well. 

“We’re in a healthy position,” he said. “Our staffing is up. We were running low for a little while. For a while it seemed like our community engagement was down a little because we didn’t have the staffing. That’s one of the changes I really want to make, to get our community engagement back up with fire prevention and getting into the schools.” 

Recently, too, the department started conducting prefire surveys, where crews will familiarize themselves with various buildings within the city. 

“So, if a building ever catches on fire, they’ve seen it before, they kind of understand where the exits are, what the hazards are, what type of construction it is,” Clark said. “That allows us to be more engaged with the community to meet business owners and see what their needs are.”   

The Eastpointe firefighters/paramedics work in 24-hour shifts. There are 23 full-time firefighters in the department, including Clark and Fire Marshal Alton Polk, three sergeants, three lieutenants, three battalion chiefs and 12 firefighters. Typically, there are four firefighters on duty every shift, plus three officers of the different ranks. 

“We have a strong culture here. The firefighters deliver a high service. They’re highly educated and highly trained. They’re aggressive individuals. When they get called to a job, they’re going to mitigate that hazard with everything they have,” Clark said. “A lot of great guys work here. I think that’s been the driving force. Being able to show up and assist in a type of need is probably the greatest joy. Thus far, it’s been a fulfilling career and I hope that continues in this role as well.”

All his years on the job taught the new fire chief that “you kind of have to be ready for everything.”

“You definitely get to know people through the responses, going out there. People with underlying medical problems are going to call the most,” Clark said. “There’s violent crime that happens, severe car accidents that happen, fires that happen in the city. The city as a whole is a busy city. Over 6,000 calls for service every year is what we’re averaging right now out of one station.”  

Clark also has close ties to Eastpointe. His wife, Amber, is a 2002 East Detroit High School graduate. The couple lived in Eastpointe for about four years and now reside in Macomb Township with their sons, Easton, 9, and Kody, 7.

“I’d have to credit my wife for me being here,” Clark said. “She supported me for the schooling and all the years of me not being home, and her handling the household and the kids by herself.”

Clark attended the emergency medical technician and medic programs through the Waterford EMS Academy, went through the Oakland Community College Firefighter Academy, and administrative courses through Macomb Community College. Clark earned his nursing degree through St. Clair Community College. 

Clark is filling the vacancy left when Brian Marquardt retired as fire chief Dec. 31, 2024.