As early as 1844 three fire departments were partly organized under the names of Bucket Company and Hook and Ladder Companies, Nos. 1 and 2. In the fall of 1849, Alert Fire Company, No. 1, was organized.  The same season was organized Protection Fire Company, No. 2. On January 15, 1850, Hook and Ladder, No. 1, was organized.  February 25, 1850, Wolverine Fire Company, No. 3, was organized. This was a West Side Company, a reorganization of the partly formed "Cataract, No. 3." A hose company was organized the first of February, 1859, called the Young America, No. 1.

In the fall of 1854 a lot was purchased on the west corner at the junction of Monroe and Spring streets, and a brick engine house, the first of the sort, was built there the following season. That was Engine House No. 1. The second engine house provided by the city, was on a lot now comprising the north end of the site of the present much enlarged building at the corner of Kent street and Crescent avenue. The next one was on a lot purchased in 1859 a little north of Bridge street on Scribner street. The earlier brick engine houses were considered good for their day, but have been superseded by much finer structures. The engine houses in 1888, the property of the city, are:

No. 1. Built in 1868 at 49 Lagrave street. Captains: Richard Roberts, John Smith. Lieutenant: Isaac Sonke

No. 2. At 220 Barclay street, built in 1879. Captain: J. Anthon Brown. Lieutenant: Fred N. Jennings

No. 3. Corner Front and Second streets. Captains: William Scott, Frank Lemon, Charles Berger. Lieutenants: George Rowley, Charles Spencer.

No. 4. Corner Kent street and Crescent avenue rebuilt in 1876. Captains: David Walker, Archie McDougal. Lieutenant: William Tuffts.

No. 5. Corner Canal and Leonard streets. Built in 1879. Captain: Truman Smith. Lieutenant: Theodore E. Bellaire.

No. 6. Junction of Grandville and Ellsworth avenues. Erected in 1877. Captain: Luke Kerwin. Lieutenant: Thomas M. McMullen.

No. 7. Established at 348 Scribner street. Not fully equiped.

No. 8. Corner Jefferson and Veto streets. Built in 1883.  Captain: W. B. Fitzpatrick. Lieutenant: Edward Porter.

Superintendents of Alarms:
Preston V. Merrifield, 1875-80
John W. Chase, 1881
Henry C. Bettinghouse, 1882-89

Source: The History of  the City of Grand Rapids by Albert Baxter; 1891
Source: The Story of Grand Rapids by Z. Z. Lydens, Editor; Kregel Pub. 1966

Grand Rapids Fire Department
Administrative Offices
38 LaGrave S. E.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503