Whitefish Fire Department - About

The City of Whitefish Fire Department provides an all-hazard emergency response to the City of Whitefish and the Whitefish Fire Service Area. Our primary response area covers 98 square miles, including Whitefish Lake.  

The "All-Hazard" emergency response includes: 

• ALS (Advanced Life Support) Ambulance Services
• Structural Firefighting
• Hazardous Materials Response
• Wildland Firefighting
• Power Line Emergencies 
• Various Rescue Responses, including:
  • Vehicle Extrication
  • Water Rescue
  • Ice Rescue
  • Rope Rescue
  • Confined Space Rescue

Created in 1907 as the all-volunteer Whitefish Volunteer Fire Department.  In 1989, with the creation of the Whitefish Fire Service Area, homes outside the city that previously independently contracted with the fire department for fire protection were now part of this new fire service area.    

As the calls for service increased and the number of volunteers dwindled, the fire department changed from an all-volunteer department to a combination department.  In 1993, the City hired its first Fire Marshal.  In late 1995, it hired its first career Fire Chief followed by hiring two firefighters.  The process slowly continued until in 2009 when, with the help of a FEMA Safer Grant, the City was able to hire enough firefighters to provide 24-7-365 coverage with five firefighters assigned per shift. The City of Whitefish hired three additional firefighters between 2021 and 2023.  Each shift now has six skilled first responders ready to serve our community.