MI Firefighters to Briefly Operate out of Historic Firehouse Again

May 9, 2023
Ypsilanti crews will have the opportunity to slide down the fire pole in the building built in 1898.

They say you can't go home again.

But, that's not the case in Ypsilanti where firefighters will be responding from a firehouse for the first time in more than 50 years. 

For three days, they'll be bunking on the second floor and sliding down a fire pole if they want, just like firefighters used to, Fox2 reported.

The transition back to an active station will mark the 125th anniversary of the building which comes as the city celebrates its 200th birthday.

When firefighters moved out, the building was revitalized as the Michigan Firehouse Museum. The collection includes antique fire trucks – which still run – plus firefighter gear, apparel, and old bells.

"I was actually fortunate to work with firefighters that actually worked out of this building - and learned the history of the building - so for us the opportunity to come back here is just great," Ypsilanti Fire Chief Ken Hobbs said. 

"We're probably one of the premiere fire museums in the country. Firefighting equipment all the way from the 1600s and 1700s all the way up to modern times," Director of Operations Dave Egeler told reporters.