Eastlake Fire Department
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Eastlake Fire Department serving proudly since 1881

Profile Information

Type of Organization
Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer
Years in Fire/EMS:
127
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
Eastlake Michigan
Years With Department/Agency
since 1881
About Me:
We started with buckets way back in 1881, acquired a hand pulled soda cart in the early 1900's. The hand pulled cart was retired some time in the 1950's when we received our first engine. (the cart still is operable and can be seen at the Manistee County Museum) We currently run with a 1984 Alexis engine, a 1980 GMC tender, and a 1980's ford extended cab brush rig
Our volunteers have been on duty 24/7 since the begining, and are all volunteer. Making us the oldest volunteer fire department in Michigan (as far as we can tell)
The wages earned by our firefighters are donated 100% back to the fire department
Relationship Status:
Other
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
Was no other fire department in the county other than The City of Manistee Fire Department, founded in 1873. We also had several lumber mills that needed protection,


"Whoever does not have the stomach for this fight, let him depart. Give him money to speed his departure, since we do not wish to die in that man's company. Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself every year on this day, show his neighbor his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle. These stories he will teach his son and from this day until the end of the world, we shall be remembed. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for whoever has shed his blood with me shall be my brother. And those men afraid to go will think themselves lesser men as they hear of how we fought and died together."

William Shakespeare



08/12/2006
One for the history books
Fire department celebrates 125th anniversary
By PATRICK SULLIVAN

psullivan@record-eagle.com

EASTLAKE — A lumber baron started the fire department in 1881 when the village was booming.

The population in the Manistee County community has since dwindled and lumber mills have closed, but volunteer firefighters keep the department going strong.

"I've been doing a lot of searching on this and from what I can find, we are the oldest volunteer fire department in the state of Michigan," said Steven Bernatche, an amateur historian and a training officer for the Eastlake Fire Department.

Today, the department will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a day of games for children, a potluck dinner and an evening of classic rock from 8 p.m. until midnight.

The history of the fire department has mirrored the history of the Manistee Lake village, which has shrunk from a population of around 3,500 in the late 19th century to around 600 today.

Fifteen state-certified volunteer firefighters work for the department today, and each donates what they would earn for responding to a fire to the department to keep the operation going, Bernatche said.

Bernatche said lumber baron Richard G. Peters started the department and paid for it until the village was incorporated in 1912. Since then, the department has maintained a volunteer force without a millage.

Over the years, the department was funded by what the village's small budget could offer and it was in danger of going bust. In the last two years, the department received a boost from the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, which have given $27,000 through slot machine revenue sharing, Bernatche said.

Assistant Fire Chief Art Breece joined the fire department sometime in the 1950s — he's not sure exactly when — but he said at that time Eastlake was one of two fire departments in Manistee County. The other belonged to Manistee, across the lake.

"Now everybody's got one," said Breece, 78. "Now there are five departments around the lake."

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Eastlake Fire Department's Blog

Thank You Chief Doug Phillips and the Ft. Johnson Fire Department

Posted on May 21, 2008 at 8:20pm 0 Comments

b>b>Thank You Chief Doug Phillips and the Ft. Johnson Fire DepartmentThank you Chief Phillips,

Chief Doug Phillips and the Ft. Johnson Fire Department has donated to Eastlake Fire Department 8 complete S.C.B.A's spare tanks, parts and testing equipment. That kind of generosity is unparalleled except within the brotherhood of firefighters, two departments 840 miles apart, with the only common bond of our choice of volunteering out lives to the service of the Fire Department.… Continue

Why are we Firefighters

Posted on May 10, 2008 at 10:01am 1 Comment

Many years ago a great President asked “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your country.” Although many of todays firefighters are too young to remember these famous words spoken more than a few years ago by President John F. Kennedy. The word still ring true, even in a small village like Eastlake where our great country begins there are a group of people who dedicate themselves to serving their fellow man. They do not do it for money, fame or personal gains, they… Continue

Comment Wall (7 comments)

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At 9:08pm on February 23, 2009, Peter Brown said…
Nice! Out for a swim?
At 1:07pm on April 11, 2008, Stelzer III said…
Great photos - love the old trucks...
At 11:40am on April 5, 2008, John Karnisz said…
Nice pics ..see you all on monday...
At 12:56am on February 17, 2008, Ron Maddox said…
Welcome to FFN, Be Safe and Have Fun.
Ron
At 5:34pm on February 15, 2008, Jim aka Bick said…
JUST STOPPING BY TO SAY WELCOME TO FIREFIGHTER NATION. ADD ME IF YOU WISH AND BE SAFE OUT THERE
At 2:41pm on February 15, 2008, Jojo said…
Hello and welcome to FFN! Stay safe:-)
At 2:31pm on February 15, 2008, Keith Bradt SR said…
hello and welcome ot FFN.stay safe out there..
 
 
 

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