The first firefighting organization was founded here in 1886 or 56 years ago as the Macomb Hook and Ladder Company. The company was a hand drawn wagon that carried buckets and ladders. Its chief was Fred Ralson.
Other members of the first department were Lou Bister, William Gesler, Frank Whitman, Frank Scott, Frank Kelley and William Hill.
This group of men handled firefighting work until 1892, when the department was reorganized with Robert Quinn as chief. Other members were Martin Price, Charles Brookings, William Gelser, Bert Whitsen, Dick Kellogg, Lou Bister, William Hill, Newt Bowman, Lou Camp, John Fox, Frank Scott, Charles Applegate, Tom Hoskinson, John Daughtery, Doug McGaughey, and W.R. Chandler.
In 1893, the city installed a water system and the fire department purchased two-wheeled hand-drawn horse carts and its first water hose.
The department was an independent organization for many years without any official connection with city government, was chartered in 1895. It started operating as a part of the city government functions when Charles Flack was mayor.
