All fire apparatus are based at the single fire station, which is attached to the Township Hall and business offices located near Texas Corners, at 8th St. and Q Ave. Currently, all garage space at the fire station is being utilized with apparatus, with some garages double-parked. This leaves absolutely no room for additional fire apparatus or rescue equipment. In the late summer of 1996, the Township completed an addition to the existing office / hall / fire station complex which allowed the fire department to occupy an area of the building previously used for Township general business activities. This almost tripled the office space and greatly increased the efficiency of the Fire Department administrative staff. The Department has also devolped the basement area of the Township hall as a training center and meeting room.

When the Township was a mainly rural area, the current fire station location was very logical. Centered in the Township, the response distance was fairly equal to all areas with the exception of Paw Paw lake area and the Stadium / 1st. St. area. These areas are about 6 miles from the station and, until the 1980's, sparsely developed. With the construction of I-94, and the demolition of the 1st. St. bridge over the Amtrak rail  line, this created an "island" in the Township that placed the northwest corner of the Township well beyond an acceptable distance for emergency fire and rescue response from the current fire station. This area is developing regularly and is zoned for a combination of commercial, residential and agricultural. Further development in the Paw Paw lake area has also increased the probability for a fire or rescue response, and is also beyond an acceptable distance from the existing station.  Unfortunatley, this results in higher property insurance premiums for most home owners in these areas.

The Township administration is currently evaluating the needs for public safety, and these areas of concern are being considered for improvement.  Township residents are urged to comment to their Township Board members on these concerns.