Found Picture Sparks Memories
A picture found by our current chief shows 6 members in front of the old station in Graafschap. Also in the picture are the first two fire trucks owned by the department. Left to right are: Harold Knoll, Jr, Chief…
Category History
What is a fire hydrant?
Most people don’t notice them. They go about their day without a thought about how this valuable community asset came to be. Fire hydrants have evolved over the years. Here is their story: If you wonder why our dry-barrel hydrants…
Archives bring local history into the present
While searching for some documents, Chief DenBleyker ran across some news clippings that told the story of a large fire in Macatawa Hills in the 1920s. The article was written in two parts over as many weeks and published in…
A Busy and Meaningful Monday
The fire service is rich in traditions and meaningful ceremony. This is one of the ways any tight-knit group keeps it all together and moving forward. One of those traditions started Monday evening when the new Pumper/Tanker 740 was put…
Looking back as we move forward
We should always take time to reflect back at our past to guide the direction we are headed. At the Graafschap Fire Department, we are evolving as the needs of our community grows with its ever-changing diverse population and landscape.…
Videos preserving township history now available online
Laketown Oral History Project talks to residents about local history.