Vail Fire & Emergency Services (VFES) was established in 1964. During the first few years of operation, VFES was an all volunteer department. Since then, it has transitioned into a full-time paid fire department, operating out of 3 fire stations, which are located in East Vail, Vail Village and West Vail. VFES serves a population of 4,735 year-round residents, of 20,000 guests daily. In addition t
o service the Town of Vail, VFES responds to incidents on I-70 from mile marker 171-190 as well as incidents occurring on the surrounding White River National Forest. VFES also responds to several neighborhoods that are outside the incorporated limits of the Town of Vail as well as the Vail Mountain Resort. VFES provides and receives automatic and mutual-aid with all fire districts in Eagle County. VFES is a founding member of the Mountain Area Mutual Aid program which includes Eagle, Summit, Garfield, Pitkin, Routt, Lake and Grand counties. VFES has a total of 44 personnel, which include 12 firefighters, 9 engineers, 9 lieutenants, 3 battalion chiefs, fire marshal, fire inspector, fire chief, administrative assistant, wildland program manager, engine module leader, assistant engine module leader, and 7 seasonal wildland firefighters. VFES operates four all-wheel drive type I engines, one 85' Tower Ladder, one type 3 wildland engine, two type 6 wildland engines, three 4x4 utility trucks and one command vehicle. Fire Chief Mark Novak began his fire service career in San Diego County in 1984 and served with the Tahoe Douglas Fire District in Lake Tahoe, Nevada for 24 years prior to accepting his current position with VFES in 2015.
