A Norton Shores Firefighting Family Shares Their Legacy of Service.
When the tones go off in Norton Shores, answering the call for the Chartier family isn’t a moment. It’s a way of life that has shaped three generations over the last 40 years.
Firefighter Ray Chartier, his son, Battalion Chief Ben Chartier, and his grandsons, Firefighter Steven Chartier and Firefighter Tucker Chartier, recently reflected on what it means to serve, to sacrifice, and to pass down a legacy through the fire service. This isn’t just a story about their careers—it’s a story about family, community, and a shared sense of duty.
From Bay City to Norton Shores
Firefighter Ray Chartier began his firefighting career in Bay County in 1983 as a charter member of Beaver Township. Fire Department. After relocating to Norton Shores in the mid-1980s, he joined the fire department and spent 28 years serving the community. Over his long and decorated career, he worked in several departments and continues to respond to calls and drive trucks at age 73, even if he claims to be retired.
Battalion Chief Ben Chartier followed his dad into the fire service in 1991, starting part-time in Norton Shores and becoming full-time by 1999. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, proudly serving the same city he grew up in. Firefighter Steven Chartier and Firefighter Tucker Chartier, Ben’s sons and Ray’s grandsons, both grew up around the station. Thanksgiving dinners at the station, video games in the conference room, and watching their dad and grandpa head off to calls were all part of their childhood.
Steven began his career in Ferrysburg and now serves full-time in the City of Muskegon. Tucker helped launch advanced life support services at Spring Lake and joined Norton Shores Fire in March 2025.
“I Never Thought I’d Be a Firefighter.”
Despite growing up in a fire family, neither Firefighter Steven Chartier nor Firefighter Tucker Chartier originally planned on joining the profession. Steven wanted to be a conservation officer, and Tucker pursued a path toward anesthesiology. But for both, a powerful experience on scene changed everything.
Tucker recalled the moment the garage door blew off during a fire response. “I just remember watching my dad fight that fire, the adrenaline kicked in, and I knew.”
Firefighting, Family-Style
Firefighting is a commitment, but for the Chartiers, it’s also a way of life. They’ve responded to calls in the middle of birthdays and turned camping trips around for dive team rescues. It’s not always easy, especially for kids growing up seeing their parents and grandparents leave for emergencies, but it’s always purposeful.
Sometimes, it’s hard on families. Missed dinners, interrupted holidays, and long shifts away from home are all part of the job. But the Chartiers say it comes with a deeper understanding of what service means, not just for them, but for the loved ones who support them. “We’ve had to explain to our kids that when the pager goes off, it’s because someone’s having their worst day and we can help,” Battalion Chief Ben Chartier shared.
The family fondly recalled working a barn fire in Crockery Township together. It was a proud moment, seeing three generations of training, trust, and teamwork in action.
The Brotherhood and Beyond
Each member of the Chartier family emphasized how the fire department is more than coworkers; it’s an extended family. They spoke openly about supporting each other through traumatic calls, peer support programs, and the importance of mental health resources.
“We see things no one should have to see,” Firefighter Steven Chartier said. “But we support each other. We check in. And we keep going.”
Advice to Future Firefighters
The Chartiers don’t sugarcoat it: firefighting is tough, unpredictable, and demands self-discipline. But for the right person—someone who’s coachable, trustworthy, and motivated—it’s the most rewarding job there is.
“You have to be okay being uncomfortable,” Firefighter Tucker Chartier added. “Because this job will challenge you. But, you’ll grow.”
A Legacy Carried Forward
Today, Firefighter Ray Chartier, Battalion Chief Ben Chartier, Firefighter Steven Chartier, and Firefighter Tucker Chartier each serve in different roles, departments, and capacities, but their mission is the same: protect, serve, and give back to the community they love.
Their story isn’t just about longevity or titles. It’s about connection, shared purpose, and pride that stretches across generations.
Because in Norton Shores, service isn’t just a job.
It’s in our nature.
