The Municipality of Hastings Highlands was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of several townships in northern Hastings County. This act merged the Bangor, Wicklow & McClure Township Fire Department and Herschel Township Fire Department. In 2013, Hastings Highlands signed an agreement with the Town of Bancroft to jointly manage the HHFD and Bancroft Fire Department. The new entity is called North Hastings Fire Service.