Pleasant Plains Fire Department tanker.
Fire service lessons from Western Michigan
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Western Michigan teaching a two-day class at the Pleasant Plains Fire Department in Lake County. It’s a small, rural department tucked away in a region that swells in size with seasonal tourism – fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and life on the lake bring people here year-round. Despite its size, this department made a big impression – and left me reflecting on some of the things that make the fire service so special.
From the moment I arrived, the commitment and engagement of their members stood out. Over two days, we discussed leadership, fireground strategy and tactics, and the ever-important issues of health and wellness that challenge the fire service today. What made the weekend remarkable was the people. Their eagerness to learn, share, and grow made for a highly interactive and rewarding experience.
This is a department with around 15 members and an annual call volume under 200. But don’t let those numbers fool you. They are active, engaged, and deeply committed. What struck me most was how connected they are to the broader fire service community. They’re not isolated by geography or limited by their size. In fact, they exemplify what’s possible when a small group of dedicated individuals commit to a shared purpose.
Some of the attendees in Western Michigan.
One evening, while we were out for dinner, a call came in. Without hesitation, two members got up from the table and responded. That moment perfectly captured the culture of a department where every member matters. When your department is small, every set of hands counts. If you don’t respond, who will? That sense of responsibility is real, and it fuels their sense of service.
The Pleasant Plains Fire Department was officially formed in 2017. That’s not long ago. In many ways, they’re still in their formative years, yet they already carry a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and commitment. Often in the fire service, we say we stand on the shoulders of giants. In Pleasant Plains, they are the giants – building something meaningful and lasting from the ground up.
They are also no strangers to hardship. A few years ago, the department lost one of its own to suicide. A memorial now stands at the firehouse, serving as a somber reminder of the mental health challenges that affect firefighters everywhere – regardless of department size or call volume. It was a moving moment to stand in front of that memorial and reflect on the unseen burdens our brothers and sisters often carry. It was also important to hear a few of the stories of this member. It was clear he was loved and missed. (Thank you, Tiara Castaneda)
The gear rack – part of the memorial for Lt. Big Mac.
Mental health, recruitment, and retention are nationwide fire service challenges. But not every department is struggling in the same way. Pleasant Plains has been able to retain an engaged and tight-knit group, despite its rural setting and limited resources. Sometimes, we need to look beyond the headlines and statistics to see where the fire service is thriving.
Driving through the area, I passed a building that had burned not long ago. Before the fire, it served seasonal visitors – part of the local economic engine. The fireground here is no joke. Sparse hydrants, a heavy reliance on tankers, and the ever-present wildland interface. These aren’t easy fires. These are conditions that test your training, your tactics, and your teamwork.
And that’s what stuck with me. It was a snapshot of the fire service at its best. There are departments just like Pleasant Plains across the country. Departments that “punch above their weight” because they are driven by pride, purpose, people, and trust. Departments that are deeply rooted in their communities and see their mission as more than just responding to calls. A firehouse where every member matters and every call counts.
This is the fire service at its best. A group of dedicated individuals who care about their neighbors, who train hard despite limited resources, who respond when needed – day or night – and who support one another through tragedy and triumph.
So yes, the fire service has a recruitment and retention problem. But not everywhere. Sometimes, you just have to know where to look. At Pleasant Plains, the brotherhood and sisterhood are alive and well. The values that have defined our profession for generations – service, sacrifice and camaraderie – are thriving here.
Departments like Pleasant Plains remind us that the future of the fire service isn’t found only in big cities or large agencies. Sometimes, it’s found in a small firehouse in Lake County, Mich. – where every member matters, every response counts, and the heart of the fire service beats strong.
