Great Falls Fire Rescue

05/10/2026

🌷Today, we recognize and honor all mothers and the many forms that love, sacrifice, and motherhood can take.

We celebrate the moms raising children, the grandmothers and stepmothers, the women who serve as caregivers and protectors, and those whose strength holds families together every day.

We also hold space for those for whom today may be difficult. We honor the women who have experienced infertility, pregnancy loss, the loss of a child, or the absence of a mother they deeply love.

To all who carry the joys and heartbreaks that can come with this day, please know you are seen.

From all of us at Great Falls Fire Rescue, Happy Mother’s Day.

05/08/2026

Great Falls Fire Rescue extends our deepest condolences to the family of retired Captain Dave Lee of Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department.

Captain Lee dedicated years of service to his community and the fire service brotherhood, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be carried forward today.

Please keep his family, friends, and the members of Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department in your thoughts during this difficult time.

It is with deep sorrow that the Black Eagle Fire Department announces the unexpected passing of Retired Captain Dave Lee, who faithfully served our department and community for 27 years. Captain Lee dedicated his career to protecting others with professionalism, leadership, and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on every member of this department and the citizens he served.

Throughout his career, Captain Lee was respected not only as a firefighter and officer, but also as a mentor, friend, and role model. His commitment to service and the fire service brotherhood will never be forgotten.

We ask the community to keep Captain Lee’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters in their thoughts during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements and memorial information will be shared as they become available.

Respectfully,
Black Eagle Fire Department

05/04/2026

🚨2026 International Firefighters' Day🚨

At Great Falls Fire Rescue, we recognize the men and women who show up day and night, ready to respond when it matters most.

This job isn't just about fighting fire. It's about being there on someone's worst day, answering the call without knowing what's on the other side and going anyway, and supporting our community through engagement and education. It is long shifts, missed time at home, and a commitment to serve this community with skill, professionalism, and heart.

We are proud of our firefighters and the work they do every day to protect the people of Great Falls.

We take today as an opportunity to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

If you see our firefighters, let them know our community values them and the work they do!

05/01/2026

APRIL 2026 GFFR CALLS FOR SERVICE AND FIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS

OPERATIONS DIVISION:
TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE: 521
FIRE RESPONSES: 5 (2 STRUCTURE FIRES, 2 GRASS FIRES, 1 TRASH FIRE)
HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOUND: 40
MEDICAL/EMS RESPONSE: 315
PUBLIC SERVICE: 71
LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT: 2
CALLS OTHER: 88

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU:
LIFE SAFETY INSPECTIONS: 252
FIRE ALARM ACCEPTANCE TESTS: 13
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM ACCEPTANCE TESTS: 4
MOBILE FOOD VENDOR INSPECTIONS: 9
UNDERGROUND FIRELINE FLUSHES: 2
FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION: EGG DROP FOR CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS
SPECIAL EVENT INSPECTIONS: 8

04/28/2026

The Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Bureau was pleased to assist Classical Conversations Inc Great Falls, with their egg drop project. The kids did an awesome job engineering their egg-drop vessels. And the biggest kids had a blast dropping them from 100 feet up in the air! In the end, 2 vessels made it to the ground with the eggs safely intact!

04/17/2026

🚨 Community Traffic Advisory – Saturday, April 18 🚨

On Saturday morning, a large number of emergency vehicles, semi-trucks, farm equipment, and other apparatus will gather in honor of Chief Karsten Hovland.

Beginning around 8:00 AM, vehicles will stage along Central Avenue in front of Croxford Funeral Home, occupying the northbound lane.

Following the funeral service, the procession will travel:
➡️ West on Central Avenue
➡️ South on 9th Street
➡️ West on 10th Avenue South
➡️ Continuing toward Ulm for Chief Hovland’s final resting place

If you need to be in the area, please use caution:
• Watch for large vehicles and pedestrians
• Expect traffic delays and temporary congestion

If you encounter the procession:
• Yield to all vehicles in the procession
• Do not cut into or pass the procession (unless on the interstate)
• Wait until the final vehicle has passed before resuming normal travel

We appreciate the community’s patience and respect as we honor Chief Hovland’s service and legacy. 🇺🇸

04/15/2026

GREAT FALLS FIRE RESCUE
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Great Falls Fire Rescue 406-727-8070
[email protected]

DATE: April 15, 2026

HOUSE FIRE AT 1309 2ND AVE N DISPLACES OCCUPANTS AND NUMEROUS PETS
Great Falls, MT – At 6:39 p.m. last night, Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire at 1309 2nd Avenue North.
Engine 1 arrived on scene to find smoke and fire coming from the second floor of the residence. All occupants had safely evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival. The occupants advised crews that the fire had started in a second-floor bedroom and that several pets remained inside the home.
Engine 1 initiated an exterior fire attack through a bedroom window to quickly knock down the flames, then transitioned to an interior attack to extinguish the remaining fire.
Engine 4 arrived shortly after and was assigned to conduct a search of the first floor and basement. During the search, firefighters located multiple pets and safely removed them from the residence.
The fire caused significant damage to the bedroom, with smoke damage extending throughout the second floor. Additional damage occurred to the exterior of the home as a result of the fire and suppression efforts.
The occupants were displaced and have been referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.
The cause of the fire has been determined to be electrical in nature.


🔥 Safety Reminder:
Electrical fires can happen without warning. You can reduce your risk by:
• Avoiding overloaded outlets and extension cords
• Replacing damaged or frayed cords
• Using surge protectors when appropriate
• Having older wiring inspected by a qualified electrician
• Testing smoke alarms monthly and keeping fresh batteries installed
Your safety is our priority—thank you for helping keep our community safe.

# # #

04/15/2026

During 🚨National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week🚨, GFFR wanted to provide a token of our appreciation by bringing lunch to our 911 dispatchers. They are the dedicated professionals behind the headset, are a critical part of our response team and deserve so much more than a week of appreciation.

When an emergency occurs, they are the FIRST first responder, gathering vital information, providing life-saving instructions, and ensuring our crews have the information they need before they even arrive on scene. From the first ring to the final update, their work helps bring order to chaos and keeps our operations running effectively.

Their job is far from easy, Their job is critical. The work they do every day plays a direct role in helping achieve positive outcomes for both responders and the community.

Their professionalism, composure, and commitment make our work possible.

GFFR extends our heartfelt THANK YOU for everything they do to keep our community safe.

04/06/2026

GFFR March Call and Fire Prevention Report
Operations Call Report:
Total Calls for Month: 581
Fires: 11
• 2 Grass Fires
• 1 Dumpster Fire
• 3 Illegal Burs
• 3 Room and Content Fires
• 2 Commercial Building Fires

Hazardous Situation Found: 50
• 25 Power lines down
• 6 Car Crashes
• 10 Gas leak/CO-related call
• 2 Electrical Hazards
Emergency Medical Calls: 330
Public Service Calls: 90
Rescue Calls: 2
• 1 Elevator Rescue
• 1 Vehicle Extrication
No Emergency/False Alarm: 96
Law Enforcement Support: 2

Fire Prevention Bureau:
Annual Life Safety Inspections: 246
• 17 fire code violations found
New Life Safety Systems Accepted: 5
Underground Fire Lines Flushed: 2
Mobile Food Vendors Inspected: 2
Special Event Inspections: 6
Fires Investigated: 2