Washington Island Fire & RescueWashington IslandFire & Rescue Inc
Washington Island fire apparatus gathered outside the station beneath an American flag

Serving Washington Island since 1948

Built by volunteers.Sustained by community.

More than seven decades of island initiative turned a converted milk truck into a growing system of fire, rescue and nonprofit support.

1948
Volunteer service begins
1993
Department becomes municipal
1999
Nonprofit support is formed

The island record

More than seven decades of service.

Each chapter reflects volunteers, donors, civic groups and taxpayers building the island's emergency response capabilities. Historical costs come from the organization's source record, while contemporary photographs show that legacy still at work.

  1. CHAPTER 01

    Volunteer roots

  2. CHAPTER 02

    Municipal response

  3. CHAPTER 03

    Nonprofit support

  4. CHAPTER 04

    The water mission

  1. Origins

    A volunteer department takes shape

    Washington Island's first fire department formed as a volunteer nonprofit rather than a municipal department. Community members and summer residents funded the island's first fire truck—a converted milk truck with a pump—the first two-bay firehouse, and a water-hauling truck with a small pump.

    Converted milk truck and pump
    $5,000
    First two-bay firehouse
    $7,000
    Water truck and pump
    $3,000

  2. Equipment

    Equipment and capacity grow

    The department replaced, upgraded, and built trucks. As the equipment became more complex, the need for additional station space became clear.

    Truck work during this period
    $12,000

  3. Rescue

    The rescue squad is formed

    A rescue squad began serving the island with a 1953 Cadillac ambulance.

    Cadillac ambulance
    $10,000

  4. Facilities

    The station doubles in size

    Two bays funded by donations expanded the station from two bays to four.

    Two-bay addition
    $19,000

  5. Equipment

    Truck upgrades continue

    The volunteer department continued replacing, upgrading, and building trucks as operational complexity and space needs grew.

    Truck upgrades during this period
    $25,000

  6. Equipment

    Protective equipment arrives

    Ladies Aid donated the department's first turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

    Turnout gear and SCBAs
    $5,000

  7. Equipment

    The first purpose-built fire engine

    The department purchased its first truck originally built to fight fires: a used 1955 American LaFrance engine.

    Used American LaFrance engine
    $4,000

  8. Facilities

    The first taxpayer-funded upgrade

    Three north bays were added to the station in the department's first upgrade funded by taxpayers.

    Three-bay addition
    $85,000

  9. Organization

    The department becomes municipal

    After 45 years as a volunteer nonprofit, the fire department became a municipal volunteer department.

  10. Equipment

    The Town purchases Engine 2

    The Town of Washington Island bought the department's first new fire engine. Engine 2 remains in use, according to the source history.

  11. Organization

    The Split

    Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc was officially formed as a 501(c)(3) so public safety could retain control of donated funds. The municipal volunteer department continued emergency response while the nonprofit supported equipment and operations.

    Department

    Municipal volunteer fire department

    Nonprofit support

    501(c)(3) nonprofit support for donated funds and equipment

  12. Organization

    Donations sustain operations

    The nonprofit donated money and equipment to help keep the department operational.

    Money and equipment donated
    More than $250,000

  13. Equipment

    Tender 12 joins the fleet

    The nonprofit secured a grant and donated the chassis for Tender 12, which remains in use according to the source history.

    Tender 12 project
    $90,000
    Tender 12 and rescue apparatus packed aboard the ferry Madonna

  14. Equipment

    The island's first ladder truck

    The nonprofit purchased and donated Washington Island's first and only ladder truck. It remains in use according to the source history.

    Ladder truck
    $45,000

  15. Equipment

    A used tender is donated

    The nonprofit purchased a used tender from BHFD and donated it to the department.

    Used tender
    $15,000

  16. Campaign

    Float the Boat begins

    After years of recognized need, Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc launched a campaign for a purpose-built fire and rescue boat.

  17. Rescue

    Rope rescue capabilities expand

    The nonprofit purchased and donated a rope rescue trailer along with $10,000 in rescue gear.

    Trailer and gear combined
    $20,000
    Fire apparatus, marine equipment and a community fundraiser outside the island fire station

  18. Rescue

    The first fire and rescue drone

    The nonprofit purchased the department's first fire and rescue drone.

    Fire and rescue drone
    $25,000

  19. Rescue

    A kayaking tragedy sharpens the urgency

    After two 20-year-olds did not return from an August 1 kayaking trip, bad weather and inadequate equipment contributed to a two-day recovery. David Thalman's family asked Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc to partner on the boat campaign.

    WBAY water-rescue report ↗

  20. Campaign

    A grant setback renews the search

    After the Town's Fiscal Year 2025 Port Security Grant application was not selected, Washington Island Fire Rescue Inc reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing other funding for harbor and waterway emergency response.

    Washington Island Fire & Rescue Inc update ↗

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