For decades, frame houses and commercial buildings in Holt and Delhi Township caught fire and were accepted as losses with no fire fighting organization in the community. On February 14, 1924, seventeen men gathered in Holt to form a volunteer fire department. The attendees of the first meeting were recorded by Secretary Harry Ammon Sr., as: Cecil Moore, Dan Brillhart, Paul Mattice, Mervin Pratt, Harley Hubbard, Frank Horst, Floyd Lott, Arthur Fleming, Earl Boyd, Harry Hart, Leo Pratt, George Shaw, Emmet Fetrow, Ralph Sheathelm, Roy Welch, William Brooder, and Don Nickel. During the meeting the department officers were selected and George Shaw was elected chief. The Department was originally organized and run by the Holt Community Counsel, led by Harry Chapman, but was administratively turned over to Delhi Township early on.

A few short days later a special meeting was held on February 18, 1924, to set rules and regulations. Among the rules were, (1) “any member that fails to report to an alarm of fire, or to attend the regular meetings of the department, is in the village at the time, and has not been excused by the chief, shall pay a fine not to exceed $1.00 payable to the secretary at the next regular meeting;” (2) “It is understood that the Department will respond to fire calls anywhere in the Township, unless prevented by road conditions, unforeseen accidents, or impassable obstacles.”

The first fire was at a chicken brooder in a woodshed behind a house, which spread to the shed and house. The Department was alerted originally of fires by the ringing of every bell in town, orchestrated by firefighters, janitors, and the telephone operator. The volunteers then grabbed pails and ran toward the fire. At that first fire, they were able to save the house. It was after this incident that a movement and fundraising effort started to enhance operations through new equipment.

By April 1924, the Department began investigating the installation of electrical fire alarms in the homes of each volunteer fireman. In June 1924, an alarm was purchased for $90 and installed in the I.O.O.F. Hall. That original siren shorted and blew up while blowing for a fire. It was replaced by a larger alarm which had to be activated daily to ensure the guarantee of the salesman that it would function. The daily alarm was set for 11:30 a.m. to coincide with school noon recess, and to match the midday whistles blown by factories and mills in Lansing. The alarm later moved to the township hall. That daily practice continued until 1995, when the whistle was dismantled and a new fire alert system installed.

A double 30 gallon tank cart and hose apparatus was purchased in 1924 and stored in the garage of Arthur Fleming at the four corners. It was demonstrated in Downtown Holt when first purchased. Then, a REO Speed Truck was purchased on which the apparatus was mounted. With the truck, it no longer fit in the Fleming garage, so a garage was built connected to the town hall. In cold weather, the volunteer firemen took turns stoking a fire in the garage to keep the truck engine warm should it be needed for a call.

In September 1924, the Holt Fire Department participated in the Holt Homecoming, which financially benefitted the Department, receiving 25% of proceeds from the event. More than $1,000 was raised, followed by more at a Fireman’s Ball, door-to-door canvassing, and dinners. This raised enough to purchase a new REO Truck, which was equipped in Owosso.

In 1925, thirteen calls were responded to. The Department purchased six uniforms. In November 1925, a helmet, goggles, and gloves were purchased and emblazoned with H.F.D., and placed on the truck with the driver.

Following the departure of first Fire Chief George Shaw, he was succeeded with the election of Frank Horst in June 1927. Horst held the post through 1939. In March and April 1929, rubber boots and raincoats were issued to volunteer members to be taken home rather than stored with the truck. The truck was also upgraded in June 1929 with a windshield and spotlight replacement.

Clayton Quenby was elected chief in 1939 and held the post until 1966.

Quenby was succeeded by Russell Harper in 1966. Harper oversaw the construction of the Bishop Road station in 1970, and improvements to the Cedar Street station. For years in the 1960s, the Department filled private swimming pools, which raised funds for the volunteer department.

In 1971, Stanley Morrison became fire chief and retained the position until 1993. Morrison became the first full-time fire chief in January 1978.

Next up as fire chief was Robert Hudson, beginning in January 1994, who remained through 1999.

Richard Royston served as fire chief from 1999 to 2013. He was succeeded as chief by Brian Ball.

Information gathered by Inge Kyler for Delhi Township Fire Department 75th Anniversary.