Our History

The Early Years

The Moose Lake Fire Department was officially chartered around 1922, but was in existence many years prior to that. In the early years, hose carts pulled by horse team or manpower — along with soda fire extinguishers — were the fire suppression tools of choice.

A Moose Lake Fire Department hose cart played a direct role in fighting the catastrophic 1918 fire that devastated the Moose Lake area, one of the deadliest wildfires in Minnesota history.

Becoming a Fire District

In 1987, the Fire Department made a bold step to become a Fire District. Through the diligent work of members and other Moose Lake citizens, meetings with Minnesota Legislature committees resulted in the formation of the Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District.

The District board is made up of five representatives who handle the day-to-day business and decisions of running the District via monthly board meetings. By forming a fire district — with the City of Moose Lake and Moose Lake Township as core members — and taking on Emergency service responsibilities through contracts for Windemere and part of Silver Townships, the response area grew to 108 square miles.

Emergency Response Center

A new fire hall was built on its current site at 600 Hwy 73 in 1997 and was named the Emergency Response Center. The Moose Lake Police Department moved in as well and leases a portion of the building.

A Growing District

The Moose Lake Area Fire District has grown over the years in equipment, membership, and responsibilities. With growth in the area, those responsibilities to those living in our response area will only increase.

We are currently responsible for protection of several state operating facilities, a new hospital, and a new school. Our up-to-date fleet of Emergency Response apparatus includes a pumper, a pumper rescue, two water tenders, a Wildland/First Responder truck, Zodiac Rescue boat, and an ATV.