Early in February in 1872, just five years after Pentwater was incorporated as a village, a meeting was called to discuss ways and means of organizing a fire department; up until this time, volunteers and bucket brigades had filled the needs.

 Dissatisfaction followed the results of the first meeting because many claimed that not enough notice was given to the public about the meeting.  A second meeting was called on March 4 and W.B.O. Sands was elected Chief Engineer.

 Although personnel have changed though the years as older members were replaced by successors of younger generations, the department has remained the same throughout 133 years of service.  On its roster are listed citizens of the village drawn from all walks of life.

Firefighters pull an old hose cart in one of Pentwater's annual Homecoming Parades.  The cart was presented to Pentwater fire department by the Sands and Maxwell on April 28, 1892.

Area firefighters engage in a 'water fight'.  An empty beer keg is strung from a wire and firefighters use hose streams to try and push it away from their side.

Uniforms of the day consisted of red flannel jackets with large black plush collars and cuffs, wide white belts, and big hats with pointed crowns.  One side of the hat brim was wider than the other, and in case of fire, it was worn with the wide side to the front to prevent water from running into the firefighter’s face.  The Chief and his assistants each carried a bugle that was used to signal the men during a fire.

The fire department had its initial big fire on May 6, 1872 when the Eldred Shingle Mill burned to the ground.  The mill was a total loss but the volunteer firefighters and the “Oceana" (the steam engine purchased by the village) saved the surrounding buildings from destruction.

Some other disastrous fires include the Nickerson and Collister big flouting mills in 1894; only the presence of the Hotel Valeria prevented a terrific gale from igniting all of main street.  In 1898 a boiler explosion at the Pentwater Bedstead factor halted operations, and after rebuilding, another fire finished the factory in 1900.

In 1920 the Mercantile Store of Sands and Maxwell Company burned with the north building completely destroyed.  The south building remains today as the Village Hall only after extensive remodeling occurred.  Then in 1928 and 1929 the Hotel Valeria, commonly called the White Elephant, was destroyed by fire.

Construction on the Pentwater Fire 'Barn' began in 198x.  The current station also includes an addition to the west side (left side in this picture) that was added in 2001.

October 2000  Residents visit the barn on Halloween and enjoy fresh donuts.  Visiting the barn on Halloween has been an area tradition for many years.

Today firefighters are required to pass a 152 hour training course before official membership.  Despite monthly meetings, training meetings, and emergencies, they still find the time to facilitate numerous events that focus on fire and life safety for children and sponsor two annual department dinner gatherings.

Sand and Maxwell donated the first apparatus on April 28, 1892 which the department still maintains and is kept at the Park Street Fire Station.  This unit is featured in the parade at the Homecoming Parade in August of each year.