Hiawatha Township Fire Department was established in 1983 with all volunteer firefighters to fight structural and woodland fires within Hiawatha township. The fire department later added mutual aid with surrounding townships.
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All firefighters are certified within two years of becoming a member. All members attend monthly meetings and training sessions at the department to maintain certification with the State of Michigan.
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The department currently owns and operates an aerial ladder truck, a primary pumper engine, a 3000 gallon tanker, a brush truck and support vehicles. Hiawatha Township covers, according to the United States Census Bureau, a total area of 290.7 square miles, of which 278.5 square miles is land and 12.3 square miles (4.22%) is water.
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