This month
September is National Preparedness Month
A little planning now makes emergencies easier to handle.
Read more
St. Joseph Charter Township · Est. 1951
Readywhen you call.
Your neighbors at Station #1 have protected St. Joseph Charter Township for 75 years. Find today's burn status, safety information and the services we offer.
Open burning right nowBurning not recommendedForecast winds up to 10 mph today.
Station 181 weather
Live
Updated
- Up to 3 ft no permit
- Over 3 ft permit required
- Never leaves, trash, treated wood
64°F
Raining
Last 12 hours64° – 66°
NE 6 mphGusts 8 mph
Humidity
- Rain today
- 0.69 in
- Pressure
- 29.96 in →
- Lightning
- 12 strikes · 14 mi
How can we help?
Here for the township
The things residents ask us about most. More services will be available online soon.
01
Open burning
Today's status, the rules, and what to do before you light a fire.
Check status 02Pool fills
How to ask the department about filling a residential pool.
Learn more 03Fire safety
Smoke and CO alarms, escape plans, and seasonal safety tips.
Stay safe 04Contact us
Non-emergency questions, station visits and department business.
Get in touchSafety spotlight
Stay safe this season
75
Years of service
Our heritage
Neighbors protecting neighbors
- 1951 Station #1 is chartered on May 14, 1951.
- 1967–2005 Chief Fred Beckman leads the department for nearly four decades.
- Today Chief Jim Robinson leads Station #1, a 36-year veteran of the department.
By the numbers
Calls for service
What the township calls us for, counted from our own run records. Numbers only — we never publish details of an incident or anyone involved in one.
113calls for service in 2026
- Fire or CO alarm31
- Hazard call29
- Investigation12
- Structure fire9
- Crash, injuries unknown7
- Crash with injuries5
- Manpower assist5
- Grass or brush fire4
- Vehicle fire4
- Utility problem3
- Crash, rollover2
- Assist another agency1
- Other1
Through September 20, 2026. Counts only — no incident details are published.
Apparatus
On the apparatus floor
The trucks and equipment that answer calls across St. Joseph Charter Township.
Unit 1822
Squad-181
Pumper-rescue. Our newest apparatus.
In service since February 17, 2022
Unit 1821
Engine-181
Pumper.
In service since July 2, 2012
Unit 1865
Brush-181
Grass and brush fires.
In service since 1997
Unit 1875
Support-181
Rescue and support equipment.
Photos by former Assistant Chief Gerry Kabelman. Fleet history
Latest
Department news
Our new website is here
A new home for township fire safety information, burn status and department news. Online services are on the way.
Now accepting applications
Answer the call.
Serve the community you live in. We train you, equip you and stand beside you.
Become a firefighter
- Weekly training at Station #1
- State certification training
- A crew that has your back