Pere Marquette Fire Station on South P.M. Highway
Pere Marquette Township maintains a 21-member volunteer fire department, which includes five officers and 16 firefighters. Eleven members are additionally qualified as first-responders, and five of these are also certified Emergency Medical Technicians.
The Fire Department is located in a 8,000 sq. ft. facility at 1040 S. Pere Marquette Highway, about a mile and half south of U.S- 10. The Department has five fire trucks housed there, which include two pumper-tankers, one 75-foot ladder truck, and a rescue vehicle. The newest addition is a First-Responder unit, added in July of 2001. By cooperative agreement, the Pere Marquette service area also includes the U.S.-31 highway south to the county line and Amber Township west of Brye Road.
In 1996, Pere Marquette Charter Township joined with Hamlin Township and the City of Ludington to form the Western Mason County Fire District Authority. The Fire Authority Board includes the Fire Chief and the Supervisor or City Manager of each governmental unit, and is funded by .3 mil in taxes from each of the three communities.
The three units of government work together under the single umbrella of the Fire Authority to standardize and fund equipment purchases. Since 1996, the Western Mason County Fire Authority has purchased ten new trucks with different features to handle different types of emergencies. Some of the trucks are housed in each of the three communities.
The Authority also conducts joint firefighter training programs and works as a single unit to provide prompt and efficient services throughout the Hamlin, Ludington, and Pere Marquette jurisdictions.
The WMCFDA worked to get a Jaws of Life unit for our community. The latest truck purchase is a new Tanker Unit which was delivered to Hamlin Township's Fire Department garage in August of 2002.
In the Spring of 2001, Pere Marquette Township and the Michigan State Police worked together to establish a State Police satellite office in the Township Fire Department building. This office, which is sub-station of the Hart MSP Post, provides the Troopers with a convenient location within Mason County to hold interviews and meetings, complete reports, and conduct other business. The arrangement saves both time and costs for the Troopers as well as providing more efficient State Police coverage for Mason County.
For fire or other emergencies in Pere Marquette Township, dial 9-1-1. For other Fire Department business, call the Fire Station at 231/843-0324 or leave a message at the Township offices at 231/845-1277.