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KAGAWONG—The Billings Volunteer Fire Department will be celebrating 50 years of service to the community on August 26.

“When I joined the fire department 34 years ago, we were still using the original hip high boots and firefighting jackets that went to the knees,” stated deputy fire chief Randy Peters. “There are probably still some of the nozzles from the first fire truck still in the new fire station,” said Mr. Peters.

The Billings Fire Department was established in the early 1970s in response to community concerns after several fires in the township that overwhelmed limited resources, a passage from ‘How it Began,’ a book put together by Charlene Chambers on ‘50 Years of Service Billings Township Fire Department’ reads. “Residents initiated efforts to purchase fire equipment and arrange training for about 20 volunteers. Subsequently, they persuaded the municipality to acquire a fire truck and construct a dedicated fire station.”