1932—As a service to the community, Francis Wolbrink purchased a 1929 Chevrolet dump truck and converted it into Allendale’s first fire truck. It was equipped with 500-gallon open tank to fill buckets; it also included a 200 gallon per minute pump. This apparatus was housed at Francis Wolbrink’s dealership, then at a repair shop of Harry Dyke and then at Gemmen’s Hardware.

1945-46 – In 1945, under the leadership of Chief John Gemmen, the township officially formed the Allendale Fire Department (AFD). Two years later, the department purchased its first custom made pumper, a 1947 Ford with a 1100-gallon water tank and a pump to operate multiple hose lines. Because there was no fire station, the trucks were stored at various houses and businesses in town.

1973 – Allendale Fire Department Members. With the increased need for emergency medical care, the call fell on the Fire Department to first respond to calls for things like heart attacks, strokes, illnesses, and accidents. Firefighters would provide care for patients and victims until ambulances arrived from Grand Rapids or Grand Haven. Firefighters increased their training in First Aid, patient care, and accident rescues.

1973 – a three-bay station was added to the east end of the township hall. This station could hold up to six larger fire apparatuses as well as units equipped to respond to vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. Fire- fighters began receiving formal training that, at the time, was recommended and later became a requirement by the State of Michigan Firefighters Training Council.

1978 – Allendale Fire creates its own E-unit, AFD trained its first Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Today, that training has become the standard for most firefighters. In 1978, AFD purchased its first unit solely dedicated to medical and rescue response. It soon became the busiest unit in the department's fleet. Although modified several times and replaced with different sized units, this rig responds to more than 80% of the calls for assistance in Allendale.

1981 – First Female Firefighter Nancy Beukema. She was already an EMT at hire and was training to be a paramedic. She did not mind being considered “one of the guy’s”

1989 - First Full-Time Fire Chie Fred Langeland, became the first full-time employee of the AFD. The full-time chief's position included: hiring and maintaining staff, upkeep of all department records, maintenance of the fire equipment, fire inspections, code enforcement, and building plan approvals, not to mention responding to the ever-increasing 911 calls.

1991 – Allendale Purchases and takes delivery of first ladder Truck. the need for better and more advanced fire protection was met when the department purchased its first aerial ladder truck. This unit was equipped with a 75-foot ladder, a pump capable of pumping 1500 gallons of water every minute, and it was AFD's first fire apparatus that would seat six firefighters inside of the cab, eliminating the need to have firefighters ride standing up on the back step of the truck (tail board), a procedure that, by law, is no longer allowed. This aerial ladder truck served the township for 25 years until it was replaced in 2016 with a 100-foot aerial ladder truck.

1971-97 – Year End Reports, these reports cover the years 1971-1997. They are full of information from the number of calls to budgets.

2003 – Fire Department Hires second Fulltime Firefighter. With increasing workload and high demand on the part-time firefighters, an additional full-time firefighter was added in 2003, and again in 2015 and 2018, and 2022 making a full-time staff of five; the chief, a captain, two lieutenants and a Fire Prevention Specialist.

2015 – Allendale Fire purchased their second ladder truck 2015 Smeal 100’ Platform. This apparatus comes with a 500-gallon tank and 2,000 gallon per minute pump. This the growth of GVSU buildings and off campus housing the higher ladder was needed. As one of the only platform trucks in the area Truck 141 responds on many Mutual/Automatic aid calls.

2023 – New Fire department facility with sleeping quarters and updated technology. With a staff of 5 full-time and 30 paid-on-call firefighters, as well as apparatuses that includes 2 engines, a 100-foot aerial platform, a 5000-gallon water tanker, a brush rig, a medical unit, and several support vehicles, AFD moved into its current facility at 6600 Lake Michigan Drive. This spacious station is set up to facilitate the department today and accommodate anticipated growth for decades to come.