The Eastpointe Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to the protection and preservation of life, property and the environment, for the community of Eastpointe. This is accomplished by effectively utilizing modern technology and practices of fire suppression, rescue and prevention.
The Eastpointe Fire & Rescue Department has come a long way since the first organized firefighting unit was established in 1921. At that time, the City of Eastpointe was still the Village of Halfway. Businessmen from Halfway raised $1800 to purchased a Model T truck (known as Lizzie) equipped with two thirty-five gallon chemical tanks for fire extinguishment. The first fire department personnel consisted of ten volunteers. In 1941 the department became a combination department with the appointment of a full-time chief and firefighters.
In the fall of 1944, the City (then named East Detroit) felt a pressing need for a city operated ambulance. The firefighters at that time raised funds by popular subscription and the sale of raffle tickets to purchase a fully equipped Ford emergency ambulance. The ambulance was put into service in March of 1945 and was operated by the firefighters.
The Fire Department moved to its present location on the corner of Pleasant and Nine Mile on December 1, 1956. Prior to that time, personal and equipment were stationed in the City's Municipal Building, on Nine Mile Road, sharing space with the City Hall staff and the Police Department.
The largest single change in the department's ambulance service occurred in 1998. Thanks to the passing of a city millage in November 1996, funds were generated to train and equip the department for Advanced Life Support (ALS) service. In February 1998, the department was licensed through the State of Michigan for ALS services. Twenty-three (23) firefighters are now trained as paramedics.
Today, the department is comprised of thirty (30) full-time employees (27 in suppression, 1 secretary, 1 Fire Marshal, 1 Chief). Additionally, the department has part-time on-call firefighters. The services provided to the community extend beyond structural firefighting and emergency medical services. Personnel are trained to respond in specialized areas, including hazardous materials incidents, weapons of mass destruction, confined space rescue and emergency medical services.
Eastpointe firefighters take pride in the fact that this single station, centrally located, is one of the busiest station houses in Macomb County, responding to over 3200 different incidents in 2003.