Washington IslandFire & Rescue Inc
Volunteer roots. Island-ready response.
Since 1948, volunteers and neighbors have built the equipment, training, and emergency capabilities that protect Washington Island. Today, the next mission is ready for the water.
Who we are
Islanders investing in island safety.
Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc is the nonprofit support organization behind critical equipment and capability investments for the island's municipal volunteer fire department.
Follow our history
- Volunteer service begins
- 1948
- Community nonprofit since 1999
- 501(c)(3)
- Donated from 1999–2021
- $250K+
- 01
Equip local responders
Donations become durable public-safety equipment chosen for the island’s real operating conditions.
- 02
Strengthen rescue capability
From rope rescue and aerial response to water access, each project closes a practical readiness gap.
- 03
Support regional mutual aid
Equipped island responders also answer mutual-aid requests from departments across the Door County peninsula.
Our story
Built one capability at a time.
For more than seven decades, volunteers, donors, civic groups, and taxpayers have expanded what island responders can do.
Explore the timelineVolunteer service begins
Neighbors and summer residents fund the first apparatus and two-bay firehouse.
The Split
Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc becomes a 501(c)(3), creating a nonprofit role for donated funds and equipment alongside the municipal department.
The next mission moves to the water
The Float the Boat and David Thalman Memorial campaigns build support for a purpose-built rescue vessel.
From the island
Service in focus
The next capability
Help us Float the Boat
In honor of David Thalman, the campaign is funding a 28′ Lake Assault fire and rescue vessel designed for shoreline access, swimmer recovery, crew protection, and 1,500 GPM firefighting.
- Aluminum hull
- 28′
- Hydraulic bow door
- 64″
- Person + cargo capacity
- 3,500 lb
- Fire pump
- 1,500 GPM
2026 Packers ticket auction
Two sets. Two tickets each.
Bowl seats in Section 131 or Outdoor Club seats in Section 407, bid separately for each Packers home game. Every winning bid supports the Float the Boat campaign.
From the firehouse
Community updates
Labor Day Float the Boat brat fry
The final brat fry of the season is scheduled at the firehouse on Sunday, September 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A memorial mission takes shape
David Thalman’s family joined Washington Island Fire & Rescue to help complete funding for the needed fire and rescue boat.
The search for funding continues
After a federal Port Security Grant application was not selected, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing other funding sources.
Email updates
News from the firehouse
Get occasional campaign progress, event news, ticket updates, and ways to support island response.