The History of Spring Arbor Township
Fire Department

The first siren was donated by the Homer Fire Department and it cost $250.00 to rewire and install the siren in Fisher’s Garage. Again, fire calls were answered by a volunteer group; Alice Glair, Flossie Yarmer, Orville Fitzgerald, Elwin Johnson and Unabelle Breining. They would activate the siren. Unabelle was an invalid, who was “cared for” by her mother, Ella Hotchins, and the mother of two firemen, Russell and Lester Breining. The family lived in the house now occupied by Barb Greenslade.

Minutes of the Township Board

April 7, 1948-Whereas Mrs. Unabelle Breining has kindly consented to answer the fire alarm calls of Spring Arbor Township and to sound the siren for the alarms. Be it resolved that this Township Board of Spring Arbor acting for all the residents thereof express it’s sincere thanks for this wonderful public service.

The members of the first Fire Department were: Chief-Leland Griewahn; Assistant Fire Chiefs-John Fisher and John Midgley; Clement Van Thorre; Frank Zotter; Harley Sidwell; Lester Breining; Russell Breining; Art Williams; and Ralph Siefken.

None of the firemen were paid until January 1, 1949 and then they received $2.00 for the first hour and $1.00 for each additional hour but only the first six men were paid.
Next it was determined they needed a fire station, so Supervisor James Folks was appointed to contact George Cramer to purchase land for the fire station (the location was an area between the township office and post office on Teft Road.)

February 1, 1949 – Superintendent James Folks was appointed a committee of one to contact George Cramer in regard to a definite price to purchase land on Teft Road for use as location of fire station.

This location never materialized and the new township hall and fire station was built on M-60 now used by the township and a branch of the Jackson County library. The station was built on property that was an old inn built before 1858.
The 1953 firemen decided to have a Fireman’s Club and turn money they received from the “fire runs” back into the club. The club would purchase much needed fire fighting and rescue equipment.

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