The roar of the engine. The wail of the siren. The glare of the flashing lights. All of these are ways to warn the general public to be aware - there’s an emergency at hand! Clear the way for the fire engine!

Fighting fires and being there for those in need is a time-honored tradition as old as civilization itself, and the history of firefighting in North Dakota is as replete and storied as any. In 2005, it was announced that Garrison would have the honor of being the home of the Firefighter’s Museum for the entire state, and by the following October they had their grand opening.

The historic building chosen to house the North Dakota Firefighters’ Museum was for many years the Garrison Bakery. Started shortly after World War I by James Wenceslaus Holkup, an immigrant from the modern-day Czech Republic, the Garrison Bakery continued to be operated by Holkup himself until the 1950s, and as a bakery until the late 1990s. The building then sat vacant until the vision of the Firefighter’s Museum came to fruition. With thousands of volunteer work hours and over forty truckloads of debris hauled away, the museum evolved into what it is today. Equipment, photographs, stories of incidents, and other firefighting memorabilia from all across the state reside within these walls, including three vintage firetrucks! Appealing to all ages, there is even a childrens’ section on the second floor.

The Firefighters’ Museum does more than educate the public on the rich history of North Dakota’s firefighting heritage, however; since 2012, the Firefighters’ Museum has also been the home of the Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial which recognizes those who died in the line of duty. Their names are etched into the two granite pillars which stand behind the commemorative stone adjacent to the museum, and every October during fire prevention week, the museum hosts a remembrance ceremony. There’s an induction ceremony as well, for the museum also maintains the Firefighters’ Hall of Fame to honor those who have provided their exceptional service to the people of North Dakota. Photographs of those inducted throughout the years may be found on display in the museum.

Do you know a North Dakota firefighter who you would like to nominate? Step inside the Firefighters’ Museum to find out how, or simply take a stroll through the exhibits and watch history ignite!