Kalispell Firefighters

Press

Emergency Responder Levy

By Andy Zimmerman • 05 Jan, 2024

Dedicated Kalispell Emergency Responder Levy

Honoring those who have served

11 Nov, 2020

Honoring our veterans

Kalispell is accepting applications!

By Adam Cliffton • 09 Oct, 2020

Applications open for Paramedic/Firefighter

Our Mission

The Kalispell Firefighters Association does much more than just fight fires. We are dedicated to the safety and well-being of the community and provide a wide variety of services within the community.
Who We Are

We fight fires and work to prevent them. We’re your front line medical professionals, your hazardous materials experts, your community activists, and your neighbors. Thank you for stopping by. Please take some time to browse through our site and learn more about your Kalispell Professional Firefighters.
Our Community

The men and women of IAFF Local 547, your Kalispell Firefighters, have a long history of involvement with local and national charitable and social service organizations. The members of Local 547 are committed to giving back to the community and the people we serve.

Protecting Our Community With The Highest Level Of Professionalism

Julia M

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THINGS WE DO

We think it is incredibly important to maintain our presence in the community. Here are some of the things we are most proud of.

Heart Locker

One of the core missions and longstanding traditions of IAFF Local 547, your Kalispell Firefighters, has been to support local charitable causes and give back to our community. In keeping with this mission, your Kalispell Firefighters are providing winter coats to local kids in need, a community outreach program in collaboration with a local organization, The Heart Locker, to provide brand-new winter coats for children in our local schools that need them. Find more information about the heart locker here: https://www.kalispellheartprogram.org/

Scott Firefighter Stair Climb

This past March, six members of Local 547 went to Seattle to participate in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. In 2012, the event featured 1550 firefighters from 291 different departments from around the world and brought in a record $1.2 million for blood-cancer research and patient services. Over 90 Montana families received assistance from LLS last year!

Wheelchair Basketball

For years, the members of Local 547, through our Benevolent Fund, have been a sponsor of and have participated in the Big Wheels Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.

This tournament is the annual fundraiser for the Kalispell-based Special Friends Advocacy Program, which provides services for adults with developmental disabilities throughout the Flathead Valley. Special Friends receives no state or federal funding, so this fundraiser is critical for Special Friends to continue their important mission.

Kalispell Lions Club

The Mission of the Kalispell Lion’s Club is “To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation”. Local 547 gets the privilege every Spring to partner with the Kalispell Lion’s Club for a day to spruce up Lion’s Park, the big park across from Rosauer’s on Hwy 93 South. In addition to tree pruning, leaf removal, and general grounds maintenance, we have helped construct the gazebos, maintain the playground areas, and assemble the new all-weather picnic tables under the pavillion. As a result of this partnership, the Kalispell Lion’s Club makes a generous donation to MDA through Local 547’s Benevolent Fund.

MDA

Together until the fight is won! The IAFF and Kalispell Firefighters Association have a long a proud partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fill-the-boot is an international way to raise money for this great organization, who helps kids and their families through a terrible disease. The MDA Fill-The-Boot has been a proud tradition since 1954.

Get Involved

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Over the last many years, our Firefighters Assocation has hosted a 3on3 basketball tournament on the streets of downtown Kalispell. Not only has it provided a healthy avenue for youth in the summertime, but all of the proceeds go toward charitable causes in the community. Most notably through our winter coat program through the Heart Locker.

#kalispellfire

Tag us on Instagram with @kalispellfirefighters #kalispellfire

To be eligible for openings with the Kalispell Fire Department you must have recently passed a CPAT exam (within one year). The Montana Fire Consortium will be conducting a CPAT (Candidate Physical Agility Test) in Billings on April 22 - 23. Sign up by April 17th to reserve a spot! Link in bio.
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Posted @withregram • @flatheadbeacon Kalispell voters on March 19 passed a $4.6 million Emergency Responder Levy that will add dozens of firefighter positions and law enforcement staff to the city’s police and fire departments and bring a third fire station to West Valley. The levy passed by 882 votes, with 3,367 votes in favor and 2,485 against, totaling a voter turnout of 5,852 in the mail-in special election. Starting in fiscal year 2025, city officials will begin to hire 11 additional law enforcement staff to the Kalispell Police Department (KPD) and 27 firefighter and medical staff positions to the Kalispell Fire Department (KFD). The city will also add a third fire station on Farm to Market Road and purchase additional equipment within the fire department. Homeowners will pay and additional $82.22 in annual taxes per $100,000 of their assessed property value. Read the full story by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting flatheadbeacon.com. Story by Maggie Dresser | Photo by @hunter.dantuono #mtnews #montana #kalispellmt
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Citizens of Kalispell, we cannot even begin to describe how grateful we are for you. Times are hard. Money is tight. Taxes are complicated and confusing. When we asked for your help, many of you trusted us, and many of you asked questions (which we respect). It was no accident that we knocked on thousands of doors, and spent countless hours discussing with folks how imperative this levy is to the safety of our city. Not putting in these efforts would be ignoring our oath to the community that we were sworn to protect. We asked, and you answered: Kalispell deserves adequate emergency services. The burden is on us now to provide the services that you committed to paying for and expect. We will take on this new challenge, expedite these improvements as quickly as possible, and do our end of the bargain to provide the city with the highest level of emergency services possible. We are truly humbled by your continued support and are honored to serve you. THANK YOU!
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We can not say thank you enough to all of the folks in the community who have gone out of their way to show their support for emergency services in Kalispell! It does not go unnoticed. Friendly reminder, if you haven’t gotten your ballot in yet, you can still drop it off at the Flathead County Election Office at 290 N Main Street between 8a-5p today and 7a-8p tomorrow. Thank you for your support and remember to vote yes to make Kalispell safer!
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Posted @withregram • @flatheadbeacon As part of the city of Kalispell’s educational campaign to bring awareness to a $4.6 million public safety levy, officials presented at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon last month, telling the audience that the municipality’s population growth has outpaced its resources. If the levy is successful, it will add 11 law enforcement staff to the Kalispell Police Department (KPD) and 27 firefighter and medical staff positions. The city will also add a third fire station and purchase additional equipment within the fire department. City staff proposed the levy in response to reports conducted by the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM), which concluded that the city’s growth has far exceeded the available resources. Specifically, Kalispell is far behind the national average in response times. In Kalispell, the law enforcement average response time to high priority calls is 9.1 minutes, almost twice as long as the national average of five minutes. “If you think of 30 seconds or 60 seconds passing when you have a critical emergency – when you need help and when you need law enforcement to respond, nine minutes is an enormous amount of time to be waiting,” Police Chief Jordan Venezio said. Read the full story by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting flatheadbeacon.com. Story by Maggie Dresser | Photos by @hunter.dantuono #kalispellmt #kalispell #kalispellmontana #mtnews
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Posted @withregram • @iaffofficial ⏲️ It’s #DaylightSavingTime! Remember to #springforward and to test your smoke/carbon monoxide alarms and change the batteries if necessary.
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“Often we respond to situations that are likely one of the most critical or dangerous times in someone’s life. We’re here for you to provide the best service that we can, and currently we’re struggling to keep up with that demand of the service that we provide.” #repost @cityofkalispell ER Levy Info: www.kalispell.com
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We are a group of hard working, tax paying, freedom loving Americans who answered the call to serve our community when everything is on the line. Simply put, we cannot squeeze water out of rocks. We need resources and we need them to stay local. Voting yes on the Emergency Responder Levy (which should be in your mailbox) solves this by not sending your hard earned money to Helena so we can ask for our money back, but keeps it in our local community to exclusively be used for emergency services. This levy does not support big government. It supports you, your family, your friends and your neighbors. Vote YES to make Kalispell safe again.
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We braved the weather this weekend and had a great time out in our community talking to folks about the first responder levy. Ballots were mailed out last week and must be returned or dropped off in person by March 19th! We appreciate all the support we’ve received. #vote #kalispellmontana #kalispellfiredepartment #supportfirstresponders
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"The reports identified additional staffing and equipment are needed to respond to increases in call volume and complexity, which leads to response times almost double the national benchmarks for Police and Fire/Ambulance calls." https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/02/27/kalispell-voters-to-decide-police-fire-and-paramedic-service-levels/
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We are extremely grateful for the support from our community and will be celebrating a great month of engaging with the public on our door to door campaign this Saturday at @biasbrewing! We’ll also be meeting at 10 am at @brcc_kalispell this Saturday and Sunday at 11 if you’d like to join us knocking doors! #kalispellfire
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We’ve been having a hoot talking with folks in the community face to face about emergency service needs and solutions over the last month! The support from the community has been astounding. If you have questions and haven’t had a chance to talk to us in person or on the phone, please shoot us a DM and we’d be happy to coordinate. XOXO, @kalispellfirefighters
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The current average of Fire and EMS responders on duty in Kalispell is 7. In the past 4 years Kalispell firefighters have worked 13,518 overtime hours to serve our community well beyond our normal hours. Simply put, 7 firefighters out of 2 stations is not sustainable. The good news is that YOU have an opportunity to help fix the emergency service requirements for the city we all love. Over the course of several years, the Emergency Responder levy will get our staffing and resources to the minimum recommendation by an independent study completed last year. VOTE YES to make Kalispell safe! #repost • @cityofkalispell Learn more at www.kalispell.com. Kalispell voters will decide on a dedicated levy for Police and Fire in March. #KalispellFire #KalispellERLevy #KalispellFireAmbulance #KalispellPolice
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We have been overwhelmed with the support from the community over the last month. At the end of the day, we’re just a small group of hard working Americans supported by our friends, family and community that have learned how to make a living helping people out when everything is on the line. This one’s important, and we can’t do it without you. #voteyes
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You can help make Kalispell safer and keep your taxes local by VOTING YES in March for the Emergency Responder Levy! #Repost • @cityofkalispell - With call volume increases, response times for Kalispell Fire and Ambulance has risen. When an emergency call comes in, almost a quarter of the time, all available response units are already occupied with another call.
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We need YOU at @brcc_kalispell on Saturday, February 24th to get heavily caffeinated with us, train up on door knocking, and hit the streets with your local firefighters, paramedics and police officers. We have been overwhelmed by the support from the community over the last few weeks as we have been knocking on doors to discuss the upcoming ballot issue, and wanted to give our backers an opportunity to join in on the fun! Huge thanks to @brcc_kalispell for supplying FREE coffee. We look forward to promoting emergency services with you!
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If you want to help make a positive impact in our community make sure you are registered to vote! Mail in voter registration will need to be in by February 19th to receive a ballot in your mailbox. Vote YES to make Kalispell safer!
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We had another great weekend talking to our community about emergency services in Kalispell! We’re humbled by all of the love and support. If you have questions about the upcoming ballot or want a yard side don’t hesitate to drop us a message. Ballots should be in your mailbox in about 21 days!
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#Repost • @missoularuralfirefighters #Repost @iaffofficial ・・・ 🏈 Super Bowl Sunday is here, and while we’re all excited for the game, safety comes first! Join the #IAFF in promoting responsible celebrations. Spread the word and share these essential safety tips to ensure everyone can enjoy the big game!
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Thank you Leah Lindsay for being a proactive supporter of safe staffing levels in Kalispell! Voting yes will make our community safer.
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We’re out on the streets talking with folks about the upcoming Emergency Responder Levy and we are overwhelmed by the support from the community! If you see us don’t hesitate to ask us questions about emergency services in Kalispell. And if you want a yard sign to show support DM us your address and we’ll deliver one to you! #kalispellfire
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Huge thanks to the @kalispellchamber for endorsing our community’s needs! With your help we can get emergency staffing numbers to a level that our community expects and deserves. Residents in Kalispell can expect to see the mail-in ballot in your mailboxes the first week of March. . . . #kalispellfire #kalispellchamber #voteyeskalispell
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Vote yes to increase the number of Fire/EMS responders on duty from 7 to 13. As the emergency service calls increase, to provide the level of service that our community deserves, so should the number of firefighters. . . . Repost from @cityofkalispell - In just 4 years, ambulance calls rose by 19%, emergency fire calls by 32%, and total dept. calls by 23%. An emergency responder levy will be put before voters in early March so Kalispell voters can decide what level of service they want going forward. Learn more at www.kalispell.com #KalispellFire #KalispellAmbulance #KalispellERLevy
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Have you ever wondered why so many firefighters show up to a fire? Take a moment to see how the tasks of a firefighter are time critical, labor intensive, and highly technical. #KalispellFFs #IAFF #MTProFFs
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If you want to make a positive impact on the safety of Kalispell you must ensure you are registered to vote! Mail-in voter registration will need to be in on February 19, 2024 to participate in the March Levy. Click the link in our bio to see if you are registered - it's easy! . . . #kalispellfire #kalispellemergencyresponderlevy #kalispellpolice #iaff7thdistrict
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Taxpayers of Kalispell, we need your help. Over the years our emergency call volume has risen to a level that we struggle with every day to maintain the level of service that this community deserves. Currently 74% of the city’s budget already goes to fire and police. An emergency responder mill levy is the only opportunity to sustainably increase staffing, and we really hope that you consider voting FOR the levy when the ballots reach your mailboxes in March.
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Repost • @iaffofficial - We honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. May his work continue to inspire us all. #MLKDay #MLK
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Repost from the @kalispellchamber - Walk over to the fire station with us after the levy presentation where our @kalispellfirefighters are hosting a special open house with the Kalispell Police Department! Have you ever wanted to check out a fire truck, patrol car, or swat vehicle up close? Our amazing local Firefighters & Police Officers will be there and ready to answer questions! #kalispellchamber #UNWIND #community #champion #Convener #catalyst #emergencyresponderlevy #kalispell #kalispellfirefighters #kalispellpolicedepartment #cityofkalispell
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Getting support from our community always feels great and we want to say thanks to @worldgymkalispell for taking the time to raise $500 for our benevolent fund. This is money that @kalispellfirefighters put back into the community for causes that are important to us. #kalispellfire ——— Repost: @worldgymkalispell World Gym Kalispell is so grateful to be able to give back to our local Fire Department. Thank you to all our members who helped fill the boot for the Kalispell Fire Department this holiday season 🚒🫶🏻🚒 #kalispell #whitefish #columbiafalls #flatheadvalley #workout #fitnessjourney #gymmotivation #firedepartment #givingback
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Come to the North Station this Saturday at 9am if you like pancakes or just want to learn about the Kalispell Fire Department! We are also hosting a car seat check until noon. Hope to see you there!
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From our family to yours, have a safe and Merry Christmas! . . . #kalispellfire #kalispellfirefighters #prayforsnow
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Repost from @worldgymkalispell - Please Come Support your local Kalispell Firefighters Association 🚒and Fill the Boot 🥾this Christmas at World Gym🎄. All Juice Bar Profits will be donated by World Gym starting today to December 18th. #kalispell #whitefish #columbiafalls #flatheadvalley #kalispellfirefighters #firedepartment #gymmotivation #fitness #gymlife #helpingothers
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C Shift recently conducted master stream deployments for training purposes. A master stream nozzle is a high-volume nozzle that can deliver hundreds of gallons per minute. Systems can include monitor nozzles, deck guns and aerial devices. Typically used on large fires, the @cityofkalispell has 3 apparatus equipped with master stream capabilites: Engine 631, Ladder 642 and Reserve Engine 632.
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Repost from the @flatheadbeacon - The Kalispell City Council on Monday voted to approve a resolution that will put a $4.6 million Emergency Responder Levy on the ballot in a special election in March to let residents decide if they want to increase its law enforcement and fire department staffing levels. A mail-in election will be held on March 19 for a dedicated Emergency Responder Levy. If the levy is successful, city officials will hire 11 additional law enforcement staff to the Kalispell Police Department (KPD) and 27 additional firefighter and medical staff positions. The city will also add a third fire station and purchase additional equipment within the fire department. For a property market value of $450,000, it would cost a resident $369 annually or $30.82 per month. All councilors supported the resolution and acknowledged the financial impact it would have on residents. City officials also said they advocated for allowing residents to decide if they wanted additional public safety. “It’s about laying it out there for the voters to make a decision on and letting the process work its way through,” Councilor Chad Graham said. Read the full story by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting flatheadbeacon.com. Story by Maggie Dresser | Photos by @hunter.dantuono
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Posted @withregram • @dailyinterlake Kalispell City Council voted unanimously Monday to put before voters a public safety levy expected to raise $4.6 million in its first year. The mail-in election will be held March 19. The ballot will ask voters to authorize the city to levy 60.9 mills annually to cover the cost of creating new positions within the Police and Fire departments as well as erect and staff a new fire station. The purchase of capital equipment would also be covered by the revenue raised by the tax increase. Link in bio for full report.
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Posted @withregram • @iaffofficial On this Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we honor and express our gratitude to the men and women who serve in our militaries. Thank you for your service!
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Posted @withregram • @loganhealth__ Over the weekend, Logan Health and Kalispell Fire Department participated in a full-scale active shooter exercise. The purpose of this was to evaluate the capabilities and response of local emergency responders and the Logan Health Medical Center Emergency Department. Exercises like these are held annually to ensure proper preparations in the event of major incidents.
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Today is the last day to get absentee ballots into the County Election’s Office at 290 B North Main St or vote in person at the Flathead County Fairgrounds for the @cityofkalispell Municipal election.
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Posted @withregram • @cityofkalispell Thank you to the community for coming to see Kalispell Fire and Police for Halloween! Events like this help us get through the tough days. #KalispellPolice #KalispellFire
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We found these cupcakes at the door at the north station in between calls. We always appreciate the support from our community! Thank you @tammysweettreats
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Your Kalispell Firefighters and Kalispell Police hold a Trunk or Treat event, 312 First Ave. E, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on October 31st. We hope to see you there! #IAFF #MTProFF #Kalispell @cityofkalispell
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Did you know that October is breast cancer awareness month? If you see your Kalispell Firefighters out and about this month, you may see us sporting these custom tees. The good news is, these sweet tees are also available to you! The shirts are $15 apiece and the proceeds will be donated to support breast cancer research and prevention. Shirts are available at both fire stations, so stop by, say hi and pick one up. Station 61: 312 1st Ave E Station 62: 2330 US 93 behind Costco #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #breastcancersupport #breastcancersurvivors
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Posted @withregram • @cityofkalispell It's so easy to get distracted - when cooking, please remember that the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths is walking away from that pan. This week is Fire Prevention Week, so we'll be sharing some reminders about how to avoid cooking fires. #kalispellfire
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The Montana Fire Consortium will be conducting CPAT written and physical exams in Billings on Oct 9 - 10. To be eligible for future openings with Kalispell Fire Department you must have recently passed a CPAT exam. Other tests outside of Montana are also available at future dates. To learn more check out the FAQ link on our website. Link in bio.
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Make sure your children are in the right car seat and connected correctly - stop by the Fire Station behind Costco at 255 Old Reserve Drive on today for a free car seat safety check from 1:30 to 3:30. Hope to see you there! @flatheadcountymt
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Repost • @iaffofficial Today and every day, we remember. 🇺🇸🙏
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Repost: @flatheadbeacon A consultant with the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) who completed a data analysis report of the Kalispell Fire Department (KFD) told the city council at a Monday night work session that the municipality needs to increase its staffing levels to keep up with population growth. “Current staffing and deployment models are strained in keeping up with the increasing calls for service,” Peter Finley of CPSM said. “The department’s staffing per shift is lower today than when Station 62 opened in 2006.” According to the report, the KFD and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are struggling to keep up with the increased call volume within city limits as the population grows. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 4.8% growth in the call volume, followed by 11% growth from 2020 and 2021. Read the full story by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting flatheadbeacon.com. Story by Maggie Dresser | Photo by @hunter.dantuono
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Firefighter Friday! This week's featured firefighter is Mike Chappuis. Mike has been with the Kalispell Fire Department for 21 years. He currently serves as the Captain on A shift. Mike serves as a technician on our regional HazMat team. When Mike is not at the fire department working, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors.
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Our next door neighbors are hiring! If you want to help keep the community safe in the @cityofkalispell through law enforcement we couldn't recommend a better group of people to want to work with. Head to the city's website to learn more! . . . . Repost from @cityofkalispell #kalispelljobs #montanajobs #kalispellpolice #2ndplaceinpickleball
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Have you heard? The last one was so much fun, we decided we’re having another pancake breakfast!! Come on down to Station 62 (behind Costco) for a FREE pancake breakfast!! We hope to see you there! Oh… and Sparky might make an appearance as well! 🐶
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Thanks for everyone coming out to the parade today!! Have a SAFE and FUN Independence Day!!
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Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
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Reposted from @cityofkalispell: Setting off or selling fireworks are not permitted in the city of Kalispell. (This does not include things like sparklers.) Thank you for your cooperation!
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Tip of the hat to all of our amazing fathers out there both on and off duty! They sacrifice and strive to build not only a better community, but better lives for their families every day.
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This morning A Shift responded to a fire at a multi unit storage facility. Access to the units was aided by the recent purchase of electric hydraulic cutters put into service on Kalispell Engine 631. As always we appreciate the help of our automatic aid agencies from around the valley! . . . #kalispellfire #evergreenfire #smithvalleyfire #whitefishfire #southkalispell #crestonfire #lakesideqru
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C Shift responded to a report of a vehicle fire early this evening after running 12 medical calls in the 10 hours prior to this incident. Though we were available to mitigate this situation quickly, several 911 callers had to endure extended wait times to receive EMS services earlier in the day. We are working hard and coordinating with the city of Kalispell to find solutions to our staffing issues and look forward to achieving call response levels that the taxpayers of Kalispell deserve. . . . #kalispellfire
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Repost from @cityofkalispell: Talking about fire safety with the community is one of our priorities at Kalispell Fire + it’s so fun to see the smiles on the kids faces as they check out the ladder truck! Hope to see you next year at the annual Safety Fair! #KalispellFire
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Firefighter Friday! This weeks featured firefighter is Captain/Paramedic Tim Gaston Tim quit his high paying job as a produce clerk in 1998 to pursue a path in fire suppression and EMS. After a few years in private ambulance and a few more in wildland fire and part-time structure fire in Arizona, he fled the heat for the pacific northwest. This landed him on Whidbey Island, WA where he freeloaded off his supportive parents for a year while testing for every department in the region. After many (some say 38) unsuccessful FD testing processes, the City of Kalispell finally gave him a chance in early 2004. Tim started as a FF/Paramedic for KFD and ever so slowly worked his way up to engineer, lieutenant, and finally, captain. He enjoys his work now more than ever as a company officer on C-Shift. He loves the FD comradery, the elaborate shift dinners (usually Mexican), adapting to whatever call comes in, and working with the best people in the world. When not serving the citizens of Kalispell, Tim enjoys time with family, coffee, long, meandering bike rides, floating rivers, and travelling. Though thankfully close to FD retirement, he may stick it out a few more years for the good times, great people and Mexican food.
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“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.” -George S. Patton Today we honor the men and women who fought and died for the country we call home. May we never forget. #memorialday #neverforget #freedom #firefighters
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Kalispell firefighters Kominksy, Daenzer and Zimmerman went to Montana IAFF State Convention this week in Bozeman to ensure that taxpayers receive the level of service that they deserve, to protect firefighters pension so that they can retire with dignity, to support preventative cancer screenings (the cause of 70% of line of duty deaths), and much more. Thanks to all of our brothers and sisters who covered our shifts while we were away so that we could help add value to our communities through emergency services at the local and state level.
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On May 2nd at approx. 11:45 there was a 911 call for a subject who fell into a hole- reported “as 30 feet deep”. This was a construction site, with work taking place on a new concrete vault that was approx. 20 to 25’ in depth. An employee had fallen from the top to the bottom of the vault. Using High Angle Rope Rescue Skills, Kalispell Firefighters with the assistance of Whitefish Fire, were able to remove the patient safely in a short amount of time, stabilize and transport to the Hospital for evaluation and further treatment. A big thank you to our brothers and sisters at Whitefish Professional Firefighters Local 3995 for their help during this critical incident.
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The Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium will be conducting firefighter testing on May 23rd and 24th. To be eligible for current and possible future KFD hirings, applicants must participate and pass both a written and physical exams through the Consortium or Public Safety Testing. For more information about becoming a Kalispell Firefighter, check out the links in our bio!
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Firefighter Friday! This week's firefighter is Wes Barr. Wes was born and raised here in the Flathead valley. He began his firefighting career in Havre where he served as a career firefighter for 3 years. He joined the Kalispell Fire Department in 2018. Since he has been at Kalispell, he has obtained his Firefighter 2 certification, became an ice rescue instructor, rope rescue technician, apparatus operator and currently serves as an acting Engineer for the department. He was the recipient of this year's Lions Firefighter of the year! He is happily married to his wife of 5 years, who is the daughter of retired Captain of 30 years at Kalispell Fire. While Wes and his wife are not at work, they enjoy doing everything outdoors from Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Rafting and Riding side by sides. Wes is a great asset to the department, and we are lucky to have him.
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Thank you for all your support! #nationalfirefighterday #firesafety #firefighters
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Have you heard?? Learn more at https://kalispell.com/DocumentCenter/View/5860/Firefighter-EMT-Paramedic- Link can also be found in our bio!
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Ever wonder what firefighters do behind the scenes? Come on down to our fire station 62 on Old Reserve Drive to find out! See you there!
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With hopes of warmer weather on its way, B-Shift took advantage to take Ladder 642 to local businesses to perform ladder operations training. The training completed focused on rapid aerial ladder deployment and roof access in the event it is needed on an emergency. Thank you to Kalispell’s The Home Depot and Signature Stadium 14 for allowing us to train with your facilities!
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A-Shift practices rescuing a fallen firefighter through the floor into a basement using a fire hose. #firefighterrescue #practicemakesperfect #firefighters
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Today was the perfect day to get some training in! A-shift took advantage of the sunshine to do some ladder truck operations. #kalispellfiredepartment #montanafirefighters #laddertruck #ladderoperations #firefighters #firetraining
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B-Shift firefighters on Engine 631 along with Evergreen Fire Rescue, MT, West Valley Fire & Rescue, and South Kalispell Fire Department provided mutual aid to Smith Valley Fire Department for a two story residential structure fire today.
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This afternoon, A-shift responded to a structure fire in a garage. An investigation showed that faulty wiring was the culprit. Great job A-shift in a good stop! Also thanks to Evergreen Fire Rescue, MT and Smith Valley Fire Department for the mutual aid.
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Earlier this morning, your Kalispell firefighters responded to a motor home fully engulfed in flames with direct flame impingement on a power line pole. We initially arrived on scene and had a malfunction with the closest fire hydrant, creating some troubleshooting and thinking on the fly. Thankfully no one was in the camper when it caught fire.
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B shift using extrication equipment on a 2 vehicle accident. Extrication equipment is carried on the fire engine and ladder truck and is commonly referred to as “the jaws of life”. #firefighters #extrication #kalispellfiredepartment
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A-shift started the day with a single vehicle fire in downtown Kalispell.
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Kalispell's four newest firefighters successfully completed their probationary year and were confirmed by @cityofkalispell Mayor Mark Johnson after being endorsed by Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Pearce. Well done Firefighters Brinlee, Butler, Mellencamp and Lanz!
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Recently some of your Kalispell Firefighters participated in an ice rescue training course put on by Whitewater Rescue Institute. Also attending the course was Whitefish Professional Firefighters Local 3995 and Evergreen Fire Rescue, MT. If you choose to recreate on the ice, please make sure you educate yourself and have the correct equipment to keep yourself safe while having a good time! #icerescue #icerescuetraining #icefishing #montana #firefighter #firefighters #firefighting
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Firefighter Cook, his wife, and two children are currently in Texas receiving treatment for their children's congenital heart conditions. The family has been surrounded by support and love during this time. Les Kleinman, owner of Firehouse Subs - Kalispell, Brooklyn Bagel and Bakery - Columbia Falls, and Firehouse Subs and Brooklyn Bagel and Bakery - Missoula, has organized a fundraiser at his four listed businesses on Saturday, January 21st. They will be accepting donations from the public with no purchase necessary. Kalispell Fire will do our best to be present at the Kalispell @firehousesubs location on Saturday to show our support. If you are not able to attend this event in person but would still like to help out, the link for the Cook family go fund me page is listed below. Again, thank you for the continuous support for our brother and his family in need. https://www.gofundme.com/f/cook-family-medical-travel-fund
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Christmas tree fires are some of the deadliest home fires that fire fighters and paramedics respond to. If you bring a live tree into your house, make sure to water it every day and do not leave the lights on when you are out of the house or asleep. #IAFFSafetyTips
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Firefighter/Paramedic Joshua Pipolo received his 20 year pin from Chief Dan Pearce this year. Congrats on 20 years Josh!
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Winter is officially here! This means firefighters are going to be in a constant battle with slippery roads, hidden hydrants, frozen hose lines and more. You can help us out by adopting your favorite local hydrant by grabbing a shovel, clearing a path on all four sides, and making it easy to see from the road. Also, whenever possible, utilize off street parking. This allows better access for emergency vehicles and will allow the @cityofkalispell public works to clear the roads more efficiently. Lastly, never shovel snow into the street! #adoptahydrant #giveitaname #and #tag #kalispellfire
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Kalispell Fire Department 2022
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Last week we put in two days of quality ladder training with the help of Troy Peterson from the @montanastateuniversity Fire Service Training School.
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On Wednesday C-Shift received 39 calls for service ranging from downed trees, arching power lines, medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, 3 structure fires and more.
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Repost from the @cityofkalispell: Come visit Kalispell Firefighters on Halloween during your trick-or-treat adventures this year for the first annual Trunk or Treat with the Kalispell Fire Department at Station 61 on the corner of 1st Ave. East and 4th Street East. Looking forward to seeing you! #KalispellFire
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Repost from @mtproff: It is great sadness that the Montana Professional fire fighters announce a LODD(Line of Duty Death), the passing of Great Falls Fire/Rescue and IAFF Local 8 member Mike Kuntz. Brother Kuntz passed away from occupation related cancer on Monday surrounded by his family and friends. Brother Kuntz was definitely a firefighter’s fire fighter. Brother Kuntz was a dedicated IAFF Union Member, but more importantly, a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and unwavering member of the Great Falls community. Brother you are unbreakable!! May you rest in peace. Montana professional fire fighters wrap our arms around The Kuntz Family as do our Brothers and Sisters of IAFF Local 8. We are here for you!! George Richards MTPROFF President @gfff.iaff.local8 @greatfalls_fire_rescue @iaffofficial @iaff7thdistrict #lodd
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We're proud to announce that Gus Butler has completed his 1 year probation and was confirmed by the @cityofkalispell. Congrats Firefighter Gus!
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*Repost from @fdnyfoundation* Twenty-one years ago, our City was attacked and the world came to know what New Yorkers have always known – that the dedicated members of the FDNY will stop at nothing to save lives. We cannot forget the images of exhausted and grieving Firefighters who searched relentlessly through rubble to recover members and civilians in the aftermath of the attacks. As we look back with gratitude at the bravery of those who risked everything in service to others, we renew our pledge to “Never Forget” all who were lost 21 years ago. The memory of innocent lives lost and of the 343 Firefighters and Officers who made the Supreme Sacrifice is forever embedded in our hearts and minds. The FDNY Foundation is grateful to our friends and supporters who stood by the FDNY through the tragedy of 9/11. The Department’s rebuilding efforts undertaken after 9/11 were unprecedented in scope and magnitude. The FDNY Foundation has been there every step of the way, funding state-of-the-art equipment and training for Fire and EMS, fueling innovation and helping the Department reach out to the public with educational programs that save lives. Twenty-one years later, the FDNY is more resilient and stronger than ever. We will “Never Forget” the 343 members who perished on that terrible day and the hundreds of FDNY members who have since lost their lives to 9/11 related illnesses. We will continue to always support the families of members who succumb to illnesses attributed to the World Trade Center response. FDNY members and their families live every day with the pain caused by 9/11, and we are determined to always stand with them. The FDNY Foundation and our Board of Directors send our sincerest thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to all our FDNY members for the extraordinary work they do on a daily basis protecting the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The men and women of the FDNY continue to carry on the legacies of those who lost their lives by continuing to do their work with unwavering dedication and unmatched heroism.
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We anticipate the Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium to conduct firefighter testing on September 30th and October 1st. To be eligible for possible future KFD hirings, applicants must participate and pass both a written and physical exams through the Consortium. The official release hasn't been posted on their website yet, but check for updates on the link in our bio or search "Montana Fire Consortium"
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At a fire department, you spend almost 1/3 of your working life with people and the day you retire, you might not see them again. Across the country, it is becoming evident that retiree outreach programs are needed to keep those individuals involved and have them become a part of something they don’t get anymore - firehouse kitchen table conversations. Today Kalispell Fire Department hosted our retiree breakfast with a great turnout of those who have set the foundation for us to build on. We hope to continue these in the future!
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C shift put out two grass yesterday fires caused by human negligence. Have fun and please be safe this 4th of July!
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Thanks @glacierhighschoolwolfpack for letting us do some outdoor PT on your track
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Earlier this year Don Thibert was promoted to the position of Fire Lieutenant. Don took part of a multi faceted testing and evaluation process and ranked #1 on the Lieutenants test. Here he is presented with his badge and new helmet by Chief Dan Pearce.
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In 1981 a living restriction was voted on that mandated Kalispell Firefighters to live within 3 miles or 15 minutes of city limits. This was common industry practice at that time, but since has fallen out of favor. Simply put, due to increased cost of living and lack of affordable housing, many of us cannot afford to live in Kalispell. The city and fire department are working together to eliminate this requirement, but since it was voted in over 40 years ago, the only way to eliminate it is with a vote. Please vote "YES" to help the city and fire department remove this living restriction.
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It's not an infinity pool, it's not a chocolate factory, it's C shift doing a preplans at the Kalispell Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biological Nutrient Removal Facility. We're very grateful to work with other departments and agencies to learn how to better protect our community in emergency situations.
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#repost from Kalispell City Government --------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Lieutenant Greg Daenzer, for earning Firefighter of the Year from the Kalispell Lions Club! Lieutenant Daenzer is a member of the Hazmat team, and the Peer Support team, and assists with hiring, and promotional processes as well as the recruit academy. #KalispellFire Kalispell Lions Club
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Come see us tomorrow, April 14th, between 2 and 4 at Kalispell Fire Station 62 behind Costco! If you have time please please come say hi. We have a lot of technicians from all across Montana here to help you! The more seats we have the better for our own ongoing education and we love being that second set of eyes for current install and next steps as your kiddos grow! Fighting with big kids on staying in a harness or booster or even staying rear facing? Let a professional back you up on what's safest until they are bigger!
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The Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium conducts annual firefighter testing for employment with any of the departments belonging to the Consortium, which includes Kalispell Fire Department. To be eligible for future hirings, applicants must participate and pass both a written and physical exams through the Consortium. Link in bio for more information or search "Montana Fire Consortium"
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