From Bellevue’s establishment in 1833 until 1867, fire protection was limited to bucket brigades and wet blankets. In 1868, the Village established bylaws for fire protection and elected Seth Hall and John R. Taylor as Fire Wardens. Their jobs were to organize bucket brigades, hire night watchmen to alert the villagers of a fire and inspect all buildings in the Village to ensure fire code compliance.
It was not until 1882, when the Village’s second major fire destroyed twenty-six homes and businesses, that the Village organized a fire department. On March 3, 1882, the Village voted to establish a Hook and Ladder Co. and a Fire Co., equipped with a Rumsey model 246 Hand-powered Fire Engine, Rumsey model 3 Hose Cart, and full set of fire hose and wrenches for a sum of $1,250.00. A fire bell was also purchased to alert the town, and in 1883, a new Engine House and Town Jail were constructed at the North East corner of what is now Washington Park. Next was a larger fire bell in 1885 (which still hangs in the station today,) and in 1886, four 4-inch wells with hydrants were installed in downtown Bellevue. In 1910, the Village Board approved trading in the Rumsey Hand Engine for a 1910 Howe horse drawn gasoline Fire Engine.
“Fire Sweeps Bellevue’s Business Center Again” was the headline of the front page of the Battle Creek Enquirer on Sunday, February 15, 1914. This marked the fifth major fire to hit downtown Bellevue. By 1918, it was clear that the Village needed better firefighting equipment. In 1919, there was enough interest from the business owners and residents to purchase a Chemical Fire Engine from the American LaFrance Co. mounted on a Ford Chassis. Next was a Reo Fire Engine in 1927, and then, a 1933 Chevrolet with equipment mounted on it from the Ford chassis. (The 1933 Chevrolet is now owned by the Bellevue Firemen.)
In 1934, the Fire Department was instructed to answer all alarms outside of the Village Limits, and in 1935, a new Engine House and Town Jail was constructed at the rear of the Farmer’s State Bank (now the Village of Bellevue Hall). This “new” building would be constructed of salvaged materials from the original 1883 Engine House and Town Hall. The 1935 building received an addition in 1966 and would station the fire trucks until 1980 when the Fire Department purchased the Bellevue Schools Bus garage, which was built in 1945 as a McCormick Farmall Dealership.
In December of 1955, the Townships of Assyria, Bellevue and Convis became partners with the Village of Bellevue in operating what has since been known as the Bellevue Community Fire Department, with Kalamo Township’s area being contracted.
