Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department

05/31/2026

Amazing work by our own Madison Cooley and the rest of the 4x800 relay team taking home the state championship.

Congratulations to Gobles Varsity Girls 4 x800 relay team for winning the State Championship!!!
Gobles Athletic Performance
Gobles Public Schools

05/13/2026

Frederick White is currently serving as Assistant Chief of the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department. Assistant Chief White started with the GPGFD in 2006, however his career in the fire service started way back in 1982 at the age of 14 as an Explorer Scout with the Richmond Fire Department in Upstate New York. He moved to Michigan to attend Davenport university Paramedic program in 1990, after graduating in 1991 he moved to Allegan and started working for Allegan EMS and Allegan Fire Department. In 1997 he was hired onto the Grand Rapids Fire Department where he served 28 years retiring in the rank of Captain of Fleet Maintenance. For Fred the Fire Service is a family affair, he followed in the footsteps of his Father and Step Mom and now his Son serves with him on our department in the roll of Lieutenant. Fred has been very passionate about the Fire Service his whole career becoming an Instructor for the State of Michigan in 1996 in which time he has had the joy of teaching members of the Fire Service in 2 different Country’s, 10 states and every Fire Academy in Allegan County since 1997, the last 10yrs as the Lead Instructor.

When Fred is not working for the Fire Department like any good red blooded American he enjoys hunting and fishing with friends and family. Lately Fred has been learning to spend a little more time with his wife and enjoy their retirement dream spending time on their boat on the lake with friends.

05/11/2026

Join our team! No prior training needed. We are accepting applications for paid on call firefighters from now until the end of July. Please message our page to get further information and an application.

05/01/2026

Last week Lieutenant White and Firefighter Holden attended the class multi discipline search and rescue at FDIC in Indianapolis. This hands on live fire training gave them knowledge and experience to bring back and share with other GPGFD personnel. Short video in the comments.

04/10/2026

Our departments heart and soul is it’s incredible paid on call personnel and their families that allow them to live the unpredictable lifestyle. Today we would like to start highlighting our dedicated staff and what they do when they aren’t training or responding to calls.

Firefighter Austin Vanbeek:
Austin joined the department in December of 2024 and promptly went through the Allegan Co fire academy graduating in July 2025. Originally from Kentwood, Austin is 23 years old and married to Mckaylya. Together they have an adopted 6 month old son. Austin works full time in Holland at K and R truck sales as mechanic. For hobbies he enjoys participating in demolition derbies, hunting, and fishing. He joined the department fulfilling a childhood dream. His favorite thing about being a firefighter is getting to help other people.

Eager to learn more and help in any way he can, Austin has been an invaluable part of the department.

02/28/2026

Shortly before 9:00 am on 02/28/2026, GPGFD and Bloomingdale firefighters were dispatched for reports of a structure fire in the 11000 block of CR 653 in Pine Grove Township. While en route, two occupants and dogs were able to be removed to safety by brave bystanders who were also one of the ones who alerted dispatch of the fire. Crews arrived on scene to a working fire with heavy smoke coming from the home. An aggressive interior attack and search was done locating heavy fire in the ceiling of the home with extension into the first floor as well. Other dogs and cats were also located during fire attack and search and brought to safety. Due to an immediate roof collapse on the home, the fire was difficult to contain but crews worked tirelessly and were able to save most of the structure. We want to thank our amazing mutual aid partner Bloomingdale Fire Department for the assistance on scene. We would also like to thank LIFE EMS, Van Buren county sheriff Department deputies/animal control and we would especially like to thank Ricky holly and Emily Stewart of Plainwell, who put their lives in harms way in order to run inside a burning building to save the two occupants and animals prior to our arrival. Our hearts go out to the family who lost their home and our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

01/25/2026

On 1/23/26 at approximately 10:15pm the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire in Pine Grove Township. The first arriving unit found a two story residential building with heavy smoke and fire through the roof. All occupants made it out of the house safely. Crews from Gobles, Bloomingdale, Alamo, and Mattawan worked in -15 degrees temperatures to extinguish the fire. Thank you to all of our aiding departments including Allegan Fire District that moved up to cover the response area. Another special thank goes to Scott’s towing for helping with getting trucks free from ice and running down the road.

01/16/2026

Go check out the new business for their Grand Opening today.

Join us tomorrow as we donate $1 from every cup sold to the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department.

12/28/2025

The Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department extends its sympathies to the Hamilton Fire Department as well as family and friends of Chief Haverdink.
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It is with great sadness that the Hamilton Fire Department announces the death of Chief David Haverdink, age 74. On December 23, 2025, at 1801 hours, Chief Haverdink was struck by a vehicle while operating at a medical incident on M40 in Heath Township, Michigan. Chief Haverdink was transported from the scene to the University of Michigan Health West in Wyoming, Michigan, in critical condition. He was admitted to the hospital and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on December 25, 2025.

Chief Haverdink is a 51-year veteran of the Hamilton Fire Department, with over 40 of those years serving as the Fire Chief. Additionally, he served 8 years as the Sheriff of Allegan County, Michigan.

Chief Haverdink is widely respected throughout all of West Michigan, serving on numerous boards and organizations, and providing outstanding service to citizens throughout the Hamilton Fire Department’s coverage area.

12/02/2025

Yesterday Firefighters Lon Schafer and Alex Szotek participated in Trees for Troops at Wahmhoff tree farm in Gobles. Joining local veterans as well as current members of the 110th Air wing out of Battle Creek they loaded Christmas trees to be sent to active duty men and women of our armed forces.