Joey Thorington was appointed Fire Chief on May 19, 2025. He previously served as the Fire Chief for the City of South Lyon from 2021 to 2025. Prior to that, Chief Thorington retired from the City of Dearborn Fire Department after 24 years of service, including eight years as Deputy Fire Chief.
Chief Thorington holds a Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. He has successfully completed the Fire Staff and Command Program at Eastern Michigan University, earned a Public Sector Leadership Certification from Cornell University, and holds Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy. Additionally, he is a licensed paramedic and holds both the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO) designations.
Deputy Fire Chief Jackson previously served 26 years at the Detroit Fire Department, most recently as a Fire Lieutenant where he was primarily responsible for Fire Suppression and Rescue while supervising and teaching the next generation of Public Safety Heroes. He has extensive experience as a Professional Emergency Manager, Fire Service Administrator, Fire Officer I, II, II, Exercise & Training Coordinator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Technician, Trench Rescue Technician, Aircraft Rescue, Vehicle Extrication Specialist-Trainer, Chemistry for Hazardous Materials 1 & 2, and Arson Investigations.
Deputy Chief Jackson holds a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Leadership from Cleary University and a Bachelor of Science degree, with a concentration in Diversity, Leadership, and Public Safety from Cleary University.
Deputy Fire Chief Macias retired from the Pontiac Fire Department in 2012 after serving in various capacities there for 22 years. He attended the Macomb Fire Academy and later obtained his paramedic license. He also earned two associate's degrees from Oakland Community College in Firefighter Technology and in Emergency Medical Technology. Deputy Macias also attended Eastern Michigan University School of Fire Staff and Command where he earned a bachelor's degree as well as a graduate degree from Eastern Michigan University in Public Safety Administration.
Deputy Fire Chief Jason Deneau has been a member of the Southfield Fire Department since 2007 when he was hired as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Since then, he has worked his way up through the ranks including Firefighter/Paramedic, Acting Driver Engineer, Lieutenant/Paramedic and Captain/Training & Safety Officer. Throughout his career he has obtained multiple certifications including Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV, Hazardous Materials Technician and Specialist, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse Rescue, Ice Rescue, Wide Area Search, Fire Instructor I & II and FEMA Planning Team Manager. One of his most notable accomplishments was the design and construction of the department’s 4-story live fire training tower and expansion of our training facility. He also assisted Southfield Public Schools in creating an in-house Fire Academy program at Southfield High School, where students can obtain their state firefighter certification before they graduate.
Deputy Chief Deneau holds an Associate’s degree in Firefighter Technology from Oakland Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Studies from Siena Heights University, and will be completing a Master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Eastern Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the Eastern Michigan University’s School of Fire Staff and Command Executive Leadership Program.
