It was a family affair as Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot administered the oath for new Fire Chief Josh Fouchia in front of township officials, firefighters, command staff from the Shelby Township Police Department and several VIPs in the front row.

“As I’m sure you know, you’ve got a great dad, husband and son here, and we’re very thankful that you share him with us,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said addressing Fouchia’s wife, children, mother and father.

“(Fouchia) knows that leadership is not about issuing orders from behind a desk; it is about standing shoulder to shoulder with those who answer the call, while never losing sight of the resources they need to come home safely at the end of their shift,” Stathakis added. “Chief, the people of this community are placing their faith in you. We know you will guard their lives, their homes, and their trust with the same steady hand and clear eye that have defined your career.”

Fouchia steps into the role after serving as Acting Fire Chief for the past six months and brings more than 25 years of experience to the position, all but three of them with Shelby Township.

Originally hired Aug. 31, 2000, Fouchia built a career defined by service, innovation, and a commitment to training the next generation of firefighters. His career path includes more than two years as Assistant Fire Chief, two years as Training Chief, six months as Captain/EMS Coordinator, three years as a Lieutenant/Medic, and 17 years as a firefighter/paramedic. 

Before joining Shelby Township, he spent three years with Lenox Township Fire Department, where his father, Dennis Fouchia, served as Fire Chief for more than two decades.

“Josh is actually a third-generation firefighter,” Dennis Fouchia said. “This is a great department. This is a great moment for our family. There are only four other families in Macomb County history where a father and son have served as fire chief.”

Throughout his career, Fouchia became known as a hands‑on responder and an advocate for specialized training. As a firefighter/paramedic, he served on the department’s Technical Rescue, HazMat, and Swift Water teams, as well as county-level rescue and hazardous materials teams.

“I’m very humbled and honored to be named fire chief,” Josh Fouchia said. “We’ve got a tremendous number of great people here and strong support from the Board. We have a great foundation, and we can make it even better.”

As a lieutenant/medic, he identified the need for better access during river rescues and led the purchase of a side‑by‑side rescue vehicle and spent nearly 100 hours training every department member through real‑world driving sessions in River Bends Park.

His leadership also proved critical during the COVID‑19 pandemic. As EMS Coordinator, he helped run the township’s vaccination clinic with Macomb County Emergency Management and worked with the Macomb County Medical Control Authority to implement the Narcan leave‑behind program.

As Training Chief, Fouchia revamped the new‑hire and probationary processes, created a standardized annual training calendar, and conducted dozens of trainings in acquired structures and tactical scenarios, including the department’s first nighttime drills in nearly 20 years. He coordinated a large-scale active assailant exercise with Shelby Township Police, involving nearly 100 participants each day, and chaired the Macomb County Training Committee.

As Assistant Chief, he played a key role in maintaining the department’s ISO Class 3 rating, helping keep insurance costs down for residents and businesses. He secured a grant providing every firefighter a second set of turnout gear, supervised the hiring of 32 firefighters, and began rewriting all departmental Standard Operating Procedures.

Beyond Shelby Township, Fouchia has spent nearly 25 years as a Fire Instructor at Macomb Community College, where he is the only two‑time recipient of the Macomb County Fire Instructor of the Year award. He also taught paramedic students at Baker College and St. Clair County Community College for more than a decade.

Fouchia is among a small number of Michigan fire service professionals to hold Fire Officer 4, Fire Instructor 3, and Paramedic Instructor certifications. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership and service from Northwood University.