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Beaver Island Volunteer Fire Department

Also Beaver Island Fire Department

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
TypeOrganization
Coordinates45.6550° N, 85.4972° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
WithinBeaver Island
ErasModern era
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Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
Organization
Coordinates
45.6550° N, 85.4972° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
Eras
Modern era
Concepts
communitygovernancecommunicationemergency-managementconstructionfundraisingaviationhealthcareinfrastructure
Within
Beaver Island

History

The Beaver Beacon records the department already active by January 1961: it fought a fire at Albert Lewis’s home on “a mighty chilly night” and saved the house from complete destruction, while Lillian Gregg kept the crew supplied with hot coffee. No founding date or charter survives in the corpus searched for this article. During a dry spring later that year the department answered five grass-fire calls after burning got away from residents, and in April 1962 it put out a fire that spread from grass behind LaFreniere’s Grocery Store, along with two more grass fires that spring.

Equipment through the 1960s and 1970s came from Peaine and St. James Townships, not from the department as an independent body. The townships jointly bought a replacement fire engine before freeze-up in December 1964; it arrived by boat with greater capacity than the truck it replaced. In 1976 the department added a second 500-gallon truck, bought at Dorr, Michigan, which gave the island double its earlier water capacity, along with a new Scott Air-Pak. That February an emergency telephone number, 448-2319, went into service, ringing the homes of key volunteer firemen so a single call could reach them; by May the Beacon described it as usable for any emergency, not fire alone. That spring North Central Michigan College also gave volunteer firemen a first-aid course.

Island women organized a Fire Department Auxiliary on 28 January 1981 to raise money for equipment and support training for the volunteers. Dinners, raffles, and a fall equipment drive followed; by 10 January 1982 the Auxiliary reported it had bought a special nozzle, 300 feet of hose, a chain saw, a rescue kit, an axe, a plain nozzle, a crowbar, and Chimfax chimney-fire extinguishers, at a total cost of $1,878.97, with an $805.50 collapsible water tank on order.

By April 1983 the Auxiliary had also funded hoses, nozzles, axes, a second collapsible water tank, and a heavy-duty chain saw; split the cost of a CPR training manikin with the Medical Auxiliary; and taken delivery of a used 2,000-gallon tanker. The same report announced that the townships had begun building a new fire house on the hill behind the public restrooms. That August the department trained in containing wild, grass, and forest fires and issued red warning lights for members’ vehicles responding to calls. In October, St. James Township accepted a two-phase construction contract from McCafferty Construction: Phase I (framing, wiring, insulation, and water) cost $54,000, and Phase II (finish work and a furnace) waited on further financing. Peaine Township approved its $13,000 half of the $26,000 Phase II cost that November, drawn from its General Fund and Federal Revenue Sharing money. The department’s own Fly-In, a fundraiser held at the Township Airport on 9 October 1983, drew more than 250 planes and served 636 whitefish dinners.

The volunteers completed Phase I of their training at the first annual Fireman’s Ball on 5 May 1984, held to thank them for their service. The Beacon named eighteen “official firefighters,” led by Chief Tim McDonough, including Tom and Bill McDonough, Jim and Ron Wojan, Mark and Alvin LaFreniere, Dennis and Bill Wagner, Ladonis Mooney, John McCafferty, Larry Delamater, Bob McGlocklin, Joe Timsak, John Works, Hugh Cole, Dick Burris, and Perry Fortier. St. James Township’s books that spring showed a separate Fire Department Construction Fund with $25,747.44 in income against $24,675.00 in disbursements, and the township renewed its one-mill fire millage for another five years. The Auxiliary opened a resale shop in the basement of the St. James Township Hall that February, after reporting that community dinners had already funded about $4,000 in equipment.

On 19 April 1985 the department was called to the crash of a plane south of the township airport that killed all seven aboard. Charlevoix County Sheriff George T. Lasater’s commendation, reprinted in the Beacon, praised Fire Chief Tim McDonough, the Volunteer Fire Department, and the “Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary,” the latter for providing refreshments to responders. The Auxiliary’s report on 1985 described a “very busy and profitable” year: weekly Bingo at the Fire Hall, a resale shop remodeled in the old Malloy Meat Shop under a rent-free two-year lease, $2,250 contributed to the Auxiliary fund, and 1,401 pounds of donated merchandise sent to Missions.

At its 2 December 1985 meeting, Peaine Township approved Chief McDonough’s request to buy a used 1966 International fire truck with a 750-gallon tank from Ada Township for $6,079. In early 1986 island residents took an 80-hour EMT training course at the Community School, with the Medical and Fire Department Auxiliaries covering the cost of a hospital workshop in Charlevoix. That July the townships received a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant covering half the cost of two dry hydrants, planned near the Yacht Dock and Lake Geneserath. Chief McDonough said the department’s fire-insurance rating then stood at 9 within five miles of the station, on a scale where 1 is the best, and that the hydrants were expected to help lower it toward 8.

Significance

The corpus documents the department chiefly through the Beacon’s recurring “Fire Department” and “Fire Auxiliary” columns, which show trucks, station, and gear paid for jointly by the two island townships, state and federal grants, and the Auxiliary’s dinners, raffles, Bingo, and resale shop, rather than by the department alone. The same pages show its officers holding other public roles: Bill Wagner filed the Beacon’s monthly weather report as “Fire Officer” through the 1960s and 1970s, and Tim McDonough, chief by 1984, presented equipment purchases directly to the Peaine Township board. Beyond structure and wildland fires, the record shows the department answering a fatal aircraft crash, and its members training in wildfire containment and, from 1986, emergency medical response.

Open questions

  • No source read for this article states when or how the department was founded, or names an officer before Bill Wagner in the 1960s.
  • What became of the Auxiliary, its resale shop, and its fundraising after 1986 is not established here.
  • No cause has been found for most of the individual fires the department answered; those are recorded, with their own limits, in the linked event articles.
  • Whether the Fire Station’s Phase II work was completed, and whether the fire-insurance rating changed after the 1986 dry-hydrant grant, are not documented in the sources read here.

See also

Summary

The Beaver Island Volunteer Fire Department was already answering calls by January 1961, when the Beaver Beacon credited it with saving a home from a winter fire; no source found for this article establishes when or how it was organized. Through the 1960s to 1980s its trucks, station, and equipment were financed jointly by Peaine and St. James Townships and state and federal grants, and — after island women organized a Fire Department Auxiliary in January 1981 — by dinners, raffles, Bingo, and a resale shop. The department answered structure and grass fires and a fatal 1985 aircraft crash that drew a county sheriff’s commendation, while its members trained in wildfire containment and, from 1986, emergency medical response. A fire station built in two phases beginning in 1983 and two DNR-funded dry hydrants installed in 1986 were meant to improve the island’s fire-insurance rating.

The dated record

49 dated events · 1961–2014 · peak 6 in 1981These years on the timeline →

Sources

  1. Current mapped fire-station point used as a representative location for the island volunteer department; the 1961 historical source does not establish that this station or site existed then.
    osm · amenities
  2. Reports the Volunteer Fire Department fighting the Albert Lewis home fire and saving the house from complete destruction. It does not provide a founding date, charter, station, equipment inventory, officer list, or responder roster.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-01_Beaver-Beacon
  3. The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-01_Beaver-Beacon
  4. Reports five spring grass-fire missions and warns of the burden on volunteer firefighters. It does not identify responders, equipment, or a formal incident register.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-05_Beaver-Beacon
  5. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-05_Beaver-Beacon
  6. Reports the Department extinguishing a LaFreniere Grocery Store fire on April 17 and two additional grass fires near Barney's Lake and the Adams summer home.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1962-05_Beaver-Beacon
  7. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1962-05_Beaver-Beacon
  8. Reports Peaine and St. James Townships jointly deciding to purchase a replacement fire truck before freeze-up; it arrived by boat with greater capacity than the old engine. It does not name a make, price, or title.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1964-12_Beaver-Beacon
  9. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1964-12_Beaver-Beacon
  10. Reports the Beaver Gems workshop fire and announces emergency number 448-2319, ringing key volunteer firemen's residences. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-02_Beaver-Beacon
  11. The held issue confirms the fire and emergency-number notices.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1976-02_Beaver-Beacon
  12. Reports the new 500-gallon fire truck bought at Dorr, Michigan, a Scott Air-Pak, the June first-aid course by North Central Michigan College, and the public emergency number restated for any emergency. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-05_Beaver-Beacon
  13. The held combined issue confirms the equipment and training notices.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1976-05_Beaver-Beacon
  14. Reports island women organizing a Fire Department Auxiliary on January 28, 1981 to raise money for equipment and support training. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1981-02_Beaver-Beacon
  15. The held thirteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the Auxiliary notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1981-02_Beaver-Beacon
  16. Reports that by January 10, 1982 the Auxiliary had purchased Chimfaxes, a crowbar, a special nozzle, 300 feet of hose, a chain saw, a rescue kit, an axe, and a plain nozzle, totaling $1,878.97, and had an $805.50 collapsible water tank on order. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1982-01_Beaver-Beacon
  17. The held twenty-three-page PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the equipment report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1982-01_Beaver-Beacon
  18. Reports Auxiliary purchases of hoses, nozzles, axes, a collapsible water tank, and a heavy-duty chain saw; a shared CPR manikin cost with the Medical Auxiliary; and a new 2,000-gallon used tanker. The same issue announces the townships beginning construction of a new fire house on the hill behind the public restrooms. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-04_Beaver-Beacon
  19. The held twelve-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the equipment and construction notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-04_Beaver-Beacon
  20. Reports an August 27 training session on containing wild, grass, and forest fires and the issuing of red warning lights for members' vehicles. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-09_Beaver-Beacon
  21. The held nine-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the training report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-09_Beaver-Beacon
  22. Reports McCafferty Construction's two-phase Fire Station contract, with Phase I (rough framing, electrical, insulation, water) accepted at $54,000; Phase II (finish work, insulation, a furnace) to follow when finances permitted. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-10_Beaver-Beacon
  23. The held eleven-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the construction-contract report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-10_Beaver-Beacon
  24. Reports a November 2, 1983 special meeting on Phase II of the Fire Hall: $26,000 total township cost split $13,000 each between St. James and Peaine, with Peaine approving $12,000 from its General Fund and $1,000 from Federal Revenue Sharing. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-12_Beaver-Beacon
  25. The held ten-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the financing report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-12_Beaver-Beacon
  26. Thanks residents for food, money, and time that helped the Fire Auxiliary purchase about $4,000 of equipment and asks for a building for a resale shop. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1984-02_Beaver-Beacon
  27. The held fifteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the Fire Auxiliary notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1984-02_Beaver-Beacon
  28. Reports the resale shop opening in the basement of St. James Township Hall on February 13, 1984, and announces planning for the first Fireman's Ball on May 5, 1984. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1984-04_Beaver-Beacon
  29. The held thirteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the resale-shop and ball notices.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1984-04_Beaver-Beacon
  30. Reports the firefighters completing Phase I training at the May 5 Fireman's Ball and names Chief Tim McDonough and seventeen other official firefighters. The same issue records St. James Township's Fire Department Construction Fund ($25,747.44 income, $24,675.00 disbursed) and the five-year renewal of the township's one-mill fire millage. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1984-06_Beaver-Beacon
  31. The held eighteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the roster and township financial reports.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1984-06_Beaver-Beacon
  32. Reprints Sheriff George T. Lasater's May 1, 1985 commendation of Fire Chief Tim McDonough, the Volunteer Fire Department, and the Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary for their response to the April 19 aircraft accident. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1985-06_Beaver-Beacon
  33. The held nineteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the sheriff's commendation.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1985-06_Beaver-Beacon
  34. Reports more than 250 planes and 636 whitefish dinners served at the department's October 9, 1983 Fly-In fundraiser at the Township Airport. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-11_Beaver-Beacon
  35. The held ten-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the Fly-In report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-11_Beaver-Beacon
  36. Reports the Auxiliary's 1985 fundraising: weekly Bingo, the resale shop remodeled in the Old Malloy Meat Shop under a rent-free two-year lease, $2,250 contributed to the Auxiliary fund, and 1,401 pounds of merchandise donated to Missions. The same issue prints Peaine Township's December 2, 1985 meeting, at which the board approved buying a used 1966 International fire truck (750-gallon tank) from Ada Township for $6,079, and reports an 80-hour EMT training course at the Community School with the Medical and Fire Department Auxiliaries covering a Charlevoix Hospital workshop. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1986-02_Beaver-Beacon
  37. The held ten-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the Auxiliary, township, and EMT reports.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1986-02_Beaver-Beacon
  38. Reports a Michigan DNR grant covering half the cost of two dry hydrants, planned near the Yacht Dock and Lake Geneserath, and quotes Fire Chief Tim McDonough on the department's fire-insurance rating of 9 within five miles of the station (1 is the best), which the hydrants were expected to help lower to 8. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1986-07_Beaver-Beacon
  39. The held nineteen-page issue PDF is paired with the OCR source and confirms the dry-hydrant grant report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1986-07_Beaver-Beacon
  40. A former BIEMS participant offered personal recollections about emergency transport, volunteer and township funding, and the risks of island EMS; another participant described the communications-tower history as an important story. This is anecdotal community testimony, not an official BIEMS history, budget, or operational record.
    forum · www.beaverislandforum.com · 05 · t005580

Added 1 August 2026 · revised 4 August 2026. Recent changes

Cite this article

Beaver Island Archive, “Beaver Island Volunteer Fire Department”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/organizations/beaver-island-volunteer-fire-department/, accessed [date], citing OpenStreetMap, Peaine Township Fire Station feature, downloaded 2026-08-06. (and 39 further sources listed on the page).

Last revised 2026-08-04. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.

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