June 13, 1942
It would be hard to find any set of rural communities that have better fire protection than the resort communities in northern Door County, where the majority of the summer resorts are located. There is nothing haphazard about the fire fighting system in the resort areas. Rather, a well-planned and organized system of companies with modern efficient equipment has been set up to cope with any emergency that might arise.
Four towns have fire engines, fully equipped for their particular assignments. They are Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and Baileys Harbor. These four communities form a square in the northern resort section, so that should trouble arise all can go to any point. If fire breaks out in one community, and their department feels it needs help, the others are quickly notified. They speed over paved highways to the assistance of the home unit on the job.
Bought Truck in 1930
Sister Bay village purchased its first fire truck in April 1930, then two years later bought a new one. In 1940 this was completely rebuilt. In 1932, the town of Liberty Grove, which extends from Baileys Harbor’s northern limits to the tip of the Peninsula at Gills Rock, combined with the village in the fire department, and since then its has answered calls over this huge northern sector. Adolph Roeser has been Chief of the Sister Bay Fire Department since it was first organized, with Clarence Brodd as assistant chief. The truck carries 2,000 feet of hose, has a pumper and an 80-gallon chemical tank.
Baileys Harbor purchased one of the most modern fire trucks available in 1935. This truck carries 1,200 feet of hose, and a 100-gallon chemical tank. Cecil Panter if the fire Chief.
Fish Creek secured its first fire truck in 1930, and it too is on the modern, efficient type. It carries 1,000 feet of fire hose, and at the present time has additional hose ordered. This truck is equipped with an 80-gallon chemical tank. Lester Schreiber is the fire Chief.
Ephraim was First
Ephraim village had the first fire fighting equipment in the northern section. It purchased a chemical outfit in 1912. In 1934, the village bought a modern truck with pumper. Last winter it installed another pumper, and now has both available for instant use. One of these pumps 350 gallons of water per minute out of the bay, and the newest has a rate of 600 gallons per minute. Each carries 50-gallon chemical tanks. 1,500 feet of fire hose are in use at Ephraim. Al Paschke is the fire Chief.
In all cases water is abundant since Lake Michigan borders Baileys Harbor, Green Bay is a half block from Fish Creek’s main street, at Ephraim, Eagle Harbor is one side of the principle street, and at Sister Bay the village is formed around the curve of the harbor.
To report a fire any one of the northern part of the county merely rings the telephone exchange at Baileys Harbor, and the word is speeded all over within seconds.
