Lt. Leo Lindbloom Sr., left, and Chief John Henderson
By Mark Varenhorst, MCP writer
LUDINGTON — Having worked on several articles about the Mason County Sheriff’s Office over the past year, I found myself thinking that I needed to do one on the Ludington Fire Department. Public service has been a part of my life for many years in one form or another.
My earliest memories are of joining the Pere Marquette Fire Department. That’s where I got my feet wet, so to speak. After moving back into the City of Ludington in 1985, I began thinking about joining the Ludington Fire Department. I remember talking with my friend Doug Soper about it. He thought it was a good idea to make the move from Pere Marquette to Ludington.
That decision began one of the most rewarding chapters of my life.
Firefighters from Ludington and two from Pere Marquette are safety checked then retain in trailer on June 27
Most people who have served on a fire department will tell you the job gets into your blood. It’s something you miss long after you’ve hung up your helmet. I can say that has certainly been true for me.
I joined the Ludington Fire Department in December 1986 and served until April 1995. During that time I worked as a firefighter, department secretary and eventually safety officer, a position that fit well with my full-time job in the Safety Department at Dow Chemical in Ludington.
When I left the department, I joined the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, which at the time operated the county’s extrication unit and Jaws of Life. But that’s a story for another day.
Lieutenant Leo Lindbloom, rigth, and son Firefighter Leo Lindbloom Jr.
Recently, I spoke with Fire Chief John Henderson and Assistant Chief Andy Larr about spending some time with the department, meeting today’s firefighters and writing a series of articles. Henderson suggested I stop by Love Ludington, held downtown on June 26.
John started with the Ludington Fire Department just before Christmas 1992. He and I served together under Chief Gerry Clark, followed by Chief Mike McDonald and Chief Jerry Funk. Henderson became chief in 2021 following Funk’s retirement. Andy Larr was promoted to assistant chief in 2022, replacing long-time assistant chief Ron Jabrocki, who retired.
As I stood there, I couldn’t help but wonder where I would be today had I stayed with the department all these years. Forty years is a long time. Then I looked over at the beautifully restored 1910 fire wagon and thought maybe I’d be driving that.
It was a beautiful evening as I made my way through the large crowd downtown. Love Ludington reminded me a lot of the old Friday Night Live events, which Chief Henderson was a major part of organizing when he served as Ludington’s mayor. It was nice to see something like that happening again.
Assistant Chief Andy Larr
The department had set up at one of the intersections, demonstrating equipment and rescue techniques while giving the public an opportunity to learn more about the fire service.
There I caught up with Chief Henderson and Lt. Leo Lindbloom. Leo had been on the department when I served, along with John. Seeing them brought back a flood of memories.
Names started rolling through my mind: Jimmie and Gary Lange, Fred Hackert, Tommy Anderson, John Healy, Bob Nestor, Bruce Pelletier, Larry Larr and Dave Wroble. John Healy and I had gone through school together. Friendships like those are one of the greatest things you build in the fire service.
Leo and I spent some time catching up while he explained the department’s restored 1910 fire wagon to visitors. Looking over the information display, I noticed the original purchase price: $600 (adjusted for inflation in 2026, it was $21,500, still a pretty good deal considering a new fire truck costs over $750,000.)
“I explain to people that in 1910 this unit cost the city $600,” Lindbloom said. “I like to tell the kids this one was two horsepower, and the one behind me is 300 horsepower.”
Firefighter Nick Colman, left, and firefighter Ryan Wood
He pointed toward Engine 20-11.
That certainly puts things into perspective.
Around the corner, firefighters were demonstrating rescue techniques and inviting people to participate. I talked with firefighters Nick Cilman and Ryan Wood, who were standing near Engine 20-11 greeting visitors.
I asked if I could ask them a few questions and take some photos. Both looked at one another and then turned toward an officer to ask permission to speak with the press.
John, you trained these guys well.
They actually asked permission before talking to me.
Farther down the street, firefighters were running the Firefighter Challenge, a popular event departments across the country use to engage the public while demonstrating some of the physical demands of the job.
During my conversations with Henderson and Lindbloom, they explained the department currently has 25 members. The way calls are handled today is considerably different from when I served.
Back then, if your pager went off and you were available, you headed to the station.
Today, the department operates in squads with medical personnel assigned to each shift. Not everyone responds to every call.
“The crew handles the regular calls, and if they need more help, it’s just one call away,” Assistant Chief Andy Larr told me.
That was something I would hear several times over the following days.
Firefighter Chris Jeffries and daughter Cadet Kaylee Jeffries
One thing that hasn’t changed is the family tradition within the department. When I served, several firefighters came from families with generations of service. Larry Larr and his son, Andy, are one example. Larry served with the Ludington Fire Department and now serves with the Custer Fire Department. Andy serves with the Hamlin Fire Department alongside his father-in-law, Chief Steve VanderVest. Larry’s brother — Andy’s uncle — Dale Larr, serves as Scottville Fire Chief. Together, the family has represented four Mason County fire departments.
Today, Lt. Leo Lindbloom serves alongside his son, Leo Jr. Capt. Gary Walton serves with his son, Tyler. Gary was on the department when I was there. Brandon Coughlan serves with his son Nicholas, and firefighter Chris Jeffries has a daughter, Kaylee, who is a department cadet.
As I left Love Ludington, Chief Henderson invited me to attend a live-fire training session the following morning at the Ludington Department of Public Works building.
There was no way I was going to miss that.
The next morning I arrived a little early because I was eager to watch. Chief Henderson apologized that they were running behind schedule.
I laughed.
“I’m already on site talking with the Oakland Community College instructors who are waiting for your crew.”
The training trailer reminded me of one the department had years ago, although this one was clearly newer, safer and more industrial in design.
The Oakland Community College team travels throughout Michigan conducting live-fire training. The instructors themselves serve on fire departments in their home communities. Their program focuses on interior fire attack, primary search and flashover recognition.
When the Ludington firefighters arrived, they began gearing up.
Turnout gear. SCBAs (air packs). Gloves. Helmets. Everything.
And it was already a warm morning.
Before anyone entered the trailer, instructors completed detailed safety checks on each firefighter. Soon smoke began pouring from the trailer.
While firefighters prepared, I spoke with Chris Jeffries and his daughter, Kaylee. Chris has served on the department for five years. He lives in Ludington and works full time as a firefighter for the City of Manistee and also served on Scottville Fire Department.
Kaylee works aboard the S.S. Badger as a boarding attendant while serving as a cadet with the Ludington Fire Department.
There again was that family connection.
The fire service seems to become part of a family’s DNA.
It reminded me of my nephew, Ryen Varenhorst. Years ago he would come around the fire station with me. Today he’s a firefighter with the Scottville Fire Department.
I watched crews work through the exercises as smoke billowed from the trailer. When they emerged, you could almost feel the heat radiating from their turnout gear.
That kind of dedication deserves respect.
Teams of three entered one after another.
Haner. Henderson. Benito. Jeffries. Wood.
When one evolution ended, firefighters rehydrated, rested briefly and prepared to go right back in.
After getting my fill of excitement for the morning, I packed up my camera gear and headed home.
Next on my schedule would be joining the department at Historic White Pine Village, where members were volunteering to paint the old firehouse, followed by a sit-down interview with Chief Henderson and Assistant Chief Larr.
I have to admit something. I still love walking into a fire station. Once you’ve been around those trucks, you never forget the smells, the sounds or the feeling. Some of us never completely leave it behind. No, honey, I’m not going back to the fire department. I put in my time. But those trucks… That station…
Maybe Chief Henderson needs someone to wash fire trucks once in a while. I’m sure there’s some Mountain Dew in the station somewhere. I don’t eat much. They’d never know I was there. Well… except for the clean trucks. And I don’t need turnout gear, Chief.
Maybe just a name tag that says, “Truck Boy.”
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