The City of Taylor has appointed Al Young, a member of the Fire Department for over 30 years, as its newest deputy chief. Young replaces Stan Pochran, who retired last month. His appointment was approved by City Council during its September 5 meeting by unanimous vote.
“I intend to stay with the (fire department) for as long as I can,” the new deputy chief said.
Deputy Chief Young started as an auxiliary firefighter in 1992. He latest post was as a battalion chief/administrative, a newly created position that managed many daily tasks from oversight of IT and communications to management of supplies, quality improvement and equipment maintenance.
He also assisted Chief Stephen Portis and then-Deputy Chief Pochran with fire inspections and other tasks.
Before serving as battalion chief/administrative, he served as a battalion chief/shift commander starting in 2016; captain started in 2014; lieutenant beginning in 2001; and as fire medic and auxiliary firefighter before that.
“After interviewing Al Young, we felt very confident that we had the person for the position,” Mayor Tim Woolley said. “Al has served in many posts and brings a ton of experience to his new slot. We feel fortunate to have him and look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Deputy Chief Young graduated from then Schoolcraft Community College with an associate of applied science degree in fire science and the School of Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University. He intends to continue his education at Davenport University.
Deputy Chief Young’s professional and academic awards and accomplishments include class president of his School of Staff and Command class; team leader and training officer for HAZMAT; logistics section chief for the Wayne County Incident Management Team; assistance in creating and filing FEMA grants totaling over $1.3M; and fire instructor at Wayne County Community College’s Downriver District Campus.
A single father of two children, his 19-year-old daughter attends Michigan State University and his 9-year-old son is in fourth grade. He is an “active sports dad” following his baseball-playing son. Deputy Chief Young’s hobbies include golf, softball, traveling and riding his motorcycle.
(The photo is of Deputy Chief Al Young during RIT training this summer at Northwest Park.)