WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – For firefighters and first responders in West Bloomfield, the call that came in Thursday began like some others they’ve received: a report of a vehicle crashing into a building at Temple Israel. But within minutes, it became clear it was far more serious.
“It was something that we’ve trained for but hoped would never happen,” said Lt. Tanya Heinig of the West Bloomfield Fire Department.
Multiple agencies rushed to the scene as firefighters, police and emergency crews worked to manage a chaotic situation involving a vehicle fire, a building fire and an active shooter threat -- all unfolding at the synagogue where children were present.
Battalion Chief Hans Drews, a 30-year veteran of the department, said the gravity of the situation was immediate.
“I was in my office working, listening to the radio,” Drews said. “When I heard it was a car into Temple Israel, I knew that wasn’t good news.”
Drews responded even before he was officially dispatched and began requesting mutual aid.
After hearing reports of gunfire, he stopped to put on ballistic gear -- equipment firefighters now carry when responding to potential active-assailant incidents.
Drews served as the incident commander, coordinating resources and making rapid decisions as information poured in.
“At that point, I think a lot of training kicks in,” Drews told Local 4. But Drews added, through tears, recalling how many people and children would often be at the temple: “I was praying.”
Over the next several hours and into the evening, Drews said crews handled multiple emergencies.
“From a vehicle that was on fire inside a building to a building that was on fire to injured police officers to responding to infants who had gone into cardiac arrest,” he said. “I just know that I was making decisions for hours.”
Firefighters and emergency crews arrived from across the region as the incident grew. Lt. Heinig said despite the complexity of the situation -- combining fire response with the potential active shooter scenario -- crews quickly fell into their roles. And fast.
“It wasn’t just a vehicle into a building, it wasn’t just a potential active shooter situation,” she said. “It was all of that at once. But when something needed to get done, it was -- and everybody knew their task.”
The West Bloomfield Fire Department and Police Department credited Temple Israel’s security team with confronting the suspect before officers arrived. Police Chief Dale Young said the guards played a critical role.
“Those guys performed heroically, and they were the first ones to have to deal with this individual,” Young said.
First responders from local, county, state and federal agencies converged on the synagogue, coordinating evacuations and helping reunite families with their children. Even firefighters who were off duty responded.
“They pulled over on the side of the road and put their ballistics gear on right there,” Drews said.
Only afterward did the reality begin to sink in.
“After you kind of exhale, it’s understanding how lucky we are and how bad it could have been,” Heinig said.
Looking back, Drews said the experience is still difficult to process.
“I just keep saying it’s unbelievable,” he said.
For the community -- particularly the Jewish community -- Drews said the department hopes its response offers reassurance.
“My heart goes out to them,” he said. “But I want people to know there’s a lot of thought, effort and training that goes into preparing for incidents like this.”
As investigators continue examining the attack and increasing patrols, first responders said the focus remains on supporting the community and each other.
“There were so many professionals there from so many agencies,” Chief Young said. “Everyone showed up. We will get through this.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with photos or videos of the attack is urged to submit them through the FBI digital tip channel or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.