Fire & Rescue

The Blue Lake Twp. Fire Department was formed in 1974 with 8 volunteers.

Original Fire station was located at 10599 Twin Lake Rd NE Kalkaska Co. 49646.

The station consisted of a 1 room building and housed the Townships very first fire truck a used 1949 Chevy Fire Engine that was donated by the Kalkaska Fire Department.

From 1974 till 1983 the Department only ran on Fires.

In 1977 The Fire Department had outgrown the 1 room station on Twin Lake Rd and with the addition of a new fire truck the Fire Department had to look for a new location and begin construction of a new Fire Barn. (The new Fire Truck was a Kalkaska County purchase that included a new mini pumper for every department in the County.)

The members of the department put in several hours getting the new site ready for construction pouring the foundation and concrete pad for the trucks. A construction company came in after the cement work was done and built the new Fire Barn located at 7534 Blue Lake Rd. Kalkaska Mi 49646.

In 1982 Firefighter Bob Barr who later became the Chief (1995) was the first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) on the Department.

By 1983 the department had 17 volunteers and with assistance from Kalkaska County the Department started running medical calls as well as fires.

In January 2001, The Fire Department lost all its equipment except for a pumper/ tanker which was stored in a separate building when the Fire Barn burned to the ground (The fire was investigated and determined to be electrical. A battery tender that was hooked up to the Argo off road vehicle).

The Fire Station was rebuilt by early 2002. With all the other department trucks destroyed in the fire Blue Lake Twp. Had to run with the only truck not lost in the fire and a rescue truck on loan/ lease from Cold Springs Twp. Fire Department until replacement vehicles could be purchased and fabricated. First up for replacement was the Fire Engine from CSI in Grayling MI. CSI jumped Blue Lake Twp. Fire Department to the front of the production line thanks to all their current customers understanding the situation. It took 9 months for the truck to be constructed and delivered. At that point it took a total of 5 years to replace the remaining tucks lost in the fire.

Immediately after the fire Many Michigan Fire Departments began to contact Blue Lake Fire Department to see how they could help by donating Fire Fighters turn out gear, SCBA, Fire hose and other equipment so the Department could keep responding to emergency calls.

In 2010 the Department purchased a Ford 550 utility truck with a flatbed to haul the replaced 8 wheeled Argo off road vehicle. This eliminated the use of hauling the Argo on a trailer.

In May of 2020 The Twp. Hired its first full time Fire Chief.

In 2020 the Fire Department bought it's first set of Hydraulic Tools (Jaws of Life) for extrication, and a 4-gas monitor to detect Carbon monoxide, H2S, oxygen levels, & Lower explosive limits.

In 2021 for the first time the Fire Department implemented the Blue Lake Twp. Fire Academy. The result of Academy #1 was 7 new Certified Firefighters in Blue Lake Twp.

In 2021 the Fire Department put into service for the first time 2 Thermal Imaging cameras (TIC) to allow Firefighters to see in smoked filled environments.

2021 The Fire Department made the switch from High Ban Pagers to Dual Ban 800 MHz Pagers.

2021 The Fire Department added Ipad's to the trucks to assists with dispatching information, as well as mapping. This also gives the department full access to the web for any information needed during any emergency.

2021 The Fire Department received a donation from Milan Area Fire Department a complete set of Holmatro hydraulic tools. The replaced set of hydraulic tools were donated to Boardman Twp. Fire Department.

2022 The Fire Department received a Holmatro hydraulic Ram donated by Robinson Fire Department.

2022 Blue Lake Twp. FD put into service new Bullard Traditional style helmets and a battery operated/ 110 positive pressure fan purchased by a grant from Trans Canada.

2023 Blue Lake Twp. FD put into service 4 new Imperial Ice rescue dry suits.

2023 Blue Lake Twp. Added A new Honda portable generator with 2 tripod led lights.

2024 Blue Lake Twp. placed into service 2 full size thermal imaging cameras.

2024 Blue Lake Twp. was awarded a Federal grant placing 10 new SCOTT SCBA in service.

2024 Blue Lake Twp. placed into service a 2023 Artic Cat 800 Crew Side Side that was at no expense to the community. All purchases where from donations and Grants.