Unit 1822
Squad-181
Pumper-rescue. Our newest apparatus.
In service since February 17, 2022
Since 1951
Our Department
A volunteer department serving St. Joseph Charter Township from Station #1.
Our story
Chartered May 14, 1951
Station #1 has served St. Joseph Charter Township for more than seven decades. The equipment has changed a great deal since 1951. The mission has not: neighbors stepping up to protect neighbors.
Michigan requires volunteer firefighters to complete Firefighter I and II certification and hazardous materials awareness training. Our members train together every week to keep those skills sharp.
Weekly training: Mondays, 6:30–8:30 PM at Station #1.
75
Years serving the township
Apparatus
Our trucks
Station 181's current fleet.
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.
Retired apparatus
- November 1983 Pumper 22 retired.
- 1997 Brush 25 retired.
- July 2012 Pumper 1821 (delivered 1987) retired.
- June 2019 Rescue 1876 retired.
- August 2023 Aerial 1852 (delivered November 1983) retired.
Truck photos by former Assistant Chief Gerry Kabelman and the late David White, from the Berrien County Firefighters Association station page. Retired apparatus
In memory
Those who answered before us
Station #1 · since 1951
Seventy-five years of members have served this township, and we have lost good ones — officers, firefighters and friends. We remember all of them, not least Chief Fred Beckman, who led Station #1 for thirty-eight years and answered his final call in November 2005.