About Us
The Leland Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized in 1933. It became a Michigan non-profit corporation in 1961. Throughout its existence it has served the public in Leland, the Township of Leland and the surrounding area in the protection of life, health, and property. Its existence also ensured lower insurance premiums.
The Leland fire station is owned by the LVFD. It was built in 1962 with the funds raised from contributions and since 1988 has been leased to the township for $1 per year. The fire station in Lake Leelanau was funded by tax revenue and is the property of the Township.
In 1988 the LVFD sold the existing equipment to the Township for $10 and at the same time granted the $1 per year lease of the Leland fire station. At this point the responsibility for fire and rescue became the responsibility of the newly formed Leland Township Fire and Rescue Department. To this day the two organizations continue to exist.
The LVFD exists as a non-profit foundation with the mission of supporting the volunteers of the Leland Township Fire and Rescue Department. With the limited funds it has available from small endowment, contributions, and sale of fire marks, it provides uniforms and other clothing, awards, refreshments, and an annual Dinner for the fire and rescue volunteers. Until recently the LVFD also provided payment for training. The Township now provides funds for training.
The LVFD currently is headed by seven board members and four officers who conduct the activities of the foundation.
The foundation faces the continuing challenge of procuring funds to encourage enrollment of volunteers and to support their efforts. In the past decade, it has experienced a deficit in every year with one exception. The LVFD is looking for ways to increase donations and to establish other fund raising efforts in addition to the sale of fire marks.