Hamilton Fire & Rescue responded to 241 calls for service. The major event for the year was a forest fire on 132nd Avenue just east of 38th Street. The approximate size of the fire was 35 acres. Hamilton Fire & Rescue was assisted by eight fire departments, giving mutaual aid, and a private contractor, Al's Excavating. A total of 28 pieces of equipment were on the scene, using 86 firefighters. The cause of this fire was an electrical shortage, coming from an oil well.
In December of 2005, the fire department was awarded a FEMA grant for an estimated $100,000.00. This money will be used to update the firefighters personnel protection equipment, and self-contained breathing equipment.
We wish to remind everyone to change their smoke detector batteries on a regular basis, and to be aware of dry conditions that can occur in and around the forest.
Burning permits must be called in to (269) 686-5222. This is an automated service through Allegan County Central Dispatch. If you do not have a burn permit and the fire department is dipatched, you could be held liable for the cost of the fire run. Also, sections 5 and 6 have no open burning without the approval of the fire department. Call (269) 751-4444, and leave a message so we may assist you.
