The Ferndale volunteer fire department was formed in the spring of 1950 by a group of community minded individuals. They discussed the need to purchase a fire truck, firefighting equipment and the construction of a fire station. An eventual vote was taken by the community with each family granted one vote. All the votes were to be turned into Simonson's Market which was located across the highway from the current fire hall at the junction of Crane Mtn. road and Highway 209. The first fire hall was located on the lot south of the Ferndale School [now the Episcopal Church]  across the road from the Ferndale Community Hall. Many changes have occured to both the community and the fire department in the years since, but one constant remains; volunteers drop what they are doing and come to the aid of everyone in the fire district. Today, volunteers are required to be skilled in not only structual and wild-land firefighting tactics but also auto extrication, water and ice rescue and other rescue procedures. The same dedication that has been demonstrated in the past is alive and well among the men and women who serve as volunteers firefighters today.