Orion Township fire chief resigns weeks before fire millage vote; assistant chief steps in
Fire Chief Ryan Allen resigned effective Oct. 1, citing personal reasons. Assistant Chief John Pender is acting chief as Orion voters prepare to decide two fire and EMS millages on Nov. 3.
By OCJ Staff
Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen has resigned, the Lake Orion Review and The Oakland Press reported. His departure comes weeks before township voters decide two fire and emergency medical services millages on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Allen gave Supervisor Chris Barnett a resignation letter listing Oct. 1 as his last day, both papers reported. He cited personal reasons. The letter, as printed by the Lake Orion Review, said his duties as chief ended immediately.
In the letter, Allen said he was proud of what the department had accomplished during his tenure, according to the papers.
Barnett said Assistant Fire Chief John Pender is now acting chief, the papers reported. The Lake Orion Review reported that Pender has been with the department for decades. It said this is his third stint as acting chief. He also filled in after Chief Bob Smith retired and after Chief Rob Duke resigned.
Allen joined the department as chief in mid-2023, after Duke's resignation took effect that March, the Review reported. He led the department through the Keatington Condos explosion in November 2024 and the township's water main crisis in May, according to the Review. The Review reported that he had recently been meeting with residents about the fire millage.
The Lake Orion Review first reported the resignation on Oct. 14. The Oakland Press reported it Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The millage questions
In the Aug. 4 primary, Orion voters rejected a new 3.85-mill, four-year fire and EMS operating millage by 221 votes, the Oakland Press reported. Barnett told the Press that request would have paid for a new command vehicle, more staff, a new training center and two ambulances.
On Nov. 3 the township is asking two fire questions instead:
- Fire and EMS operating renewal (Proposal 1): up to 2.8846 mills for four years, December 2026 through December 2029, according to the Oakland County Clerk's official proposal list. The Oakland Press described it as 2.9 mills and The Detroit News as 2.92 mills. The official ballot figure is the one listed here.
- Fire and EMS capital and staffing millage (Proposal 2): a new tax of up to 0.40 mill for four years, December 2026 through December 2029, estimated at about $1.12 million in the first year. The official ballot language lists fire and EMS staffing, including wages and benefits; improved emergency response; and capital needs such as fire apparatus, equipment and station improvements. The Oakland Press reported a narrower list, saying the money would cover only replacement breathing apparatus and turnout gear. The ballot wording is what voters will approve or reject.
A yes vote on Proposal 1 renews the fire and EMS operating tax at the rolled-back rate. A yes vote on Proposal 2 adds the new 0.40-mill tax. A no vote on either withholds that authority.
Voters will also decide a separate police operating renewal of up to 3.3761 mills, according to the clerk's list. The Detroit News reported that tax pays for the township's contract with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Barnett told The Detroit News the township would run out of police and fire money in June if the renewals fail.
The department runs four fire stations, the Oakland Press reported. Its staff includes three battalion chiefs, three lieutenants, 20 firefighter/paramedics, nine firefighter/EMTs and six part-time firefighters.
More on Orion's ballot questions is in our roundup of public safety proposals.
Sources: Lake Orion Review (Oct. 14, 2026); The Oakland Press (Oct. 20, 2026); The Detroit News via Yahoo News (Oct. 18, 2026); Oakland County Clerk's official Nov. 3, 2026, proposal list; earlier Journal coverage.