An Artful Way of Putting
Out Fires… and Much More

by Bernie Fratto
February 2006

“For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to do this,” Art Lenaghan states. “From interesting people, to excitement and danger, it really appealed to me."

As one of the longest tenured Fire Chiefs in the State of Michigan, Art Lenaghan has served the citizens of Novi, Michigan with honor and distinction since February 1978 and will do so until he steps down in late February 2006. In fact, Art Lenaghan will officially retire on Feb 23rd; the papers have already been filed.

Born in Detroit, he attended St. Agatha High School before heading off to Oklahoma State University for one year. While there he worked at the Stillwater, Oklahoma Fire Dept and his own personal fire had been lit.

Of course he was heavily influenced by his father, who was a volunteer fireman, and during many ride-alongs, he became fascinated with the profession. His Uncle Jim is also a fireman in Cleveland.

True to form and dedication to public service, Brother Bill is the Police Chief in Mackinac Island. “Must’ve been a bad chromosome,” Lenaghan joked, although his favorite TV show is COPS, his favorite author is Joseph Wambaugh and he freely admits his utmost respect for the Law Enforcement profession.

In 1960 after a stint in the Michigan Inspection Bureau as a trained Fire inspector, he joined the Army in Sept. 1960 on his lunch hour one day, and it was off to Korea for 14 months.

After an honorable discharge in 1963, he went right to work for the Plymouth Township Fire Dept, and soon had a bigger opportunity of the same nature in Ann Arbor.

In 1965, he joined the Livonia Fire Dept., where he would remain for 13 years until accepting the position of Fire Chief in Novi, Michigan in 1978.

Three years prior, although Lenaghan was a very busy man, he managed to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Protection and Occupational Safety at Madonna University.

When you visit with Art Lenaghan the first thing that jumps at you is an extremely humble nature. An old saying states, ‘the bigger the star, the nicer they are,’ and Lenaghan is not only friendly but truly grateful for his blessings.

“I’ve always been fortunate to be surrounded by great people,” he added. “I’ve never accomplished anything alone,” “in fact at precisely the right time, the right person would pop into my life time and time again.”

Given his tenure, experience, and track record, Art Lenaghan was also invited to serve, and served 2 years on State MIOSHA, a high calling and an important function.

“Dealing with people,” “is the most important thing” Lenaghan emphasized, and he’s done it with grace and ease in the City of Novi, Michigan for the better part of three decades.

For Art Lenaghan, it will be interesting to see what the next three decades holds…