Boise Fire Department

The Boise Fire Department is the agency that provides fire suppression services within the city of Boise, Idaho and contract services to two suburban fire districts including the city of Garden City and village of Hidden Springs. It is the largest fire department in Idaho. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided by the separate county agency, Ada County Paramedics.[4] Currently, Boise Fire Department has 300+ full time employees, 17 Fire Stations, a Hazardous Materials Team, ARFF team, Dive Team and a Technical Rescue Team. The Department serves a population of 236,000 residents in 130+ square miles.

Boise Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Idaho
County Ada
City Boise
Agency overview[1]
EstablishedJanuary 24, 1876
Annual calls19,400+ (2021)[1]
Employees267 (2021)[2]
Annual budget$59,523,387 (2021)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefChief Mark Niemeyer (2020)[3]
EMS levelALS & BLS
IAFF149
Motto"Pride, Dedication, Service"
Facilities and equipment
Divisions4
Battalions3 (9 Battalion Chiefs)
Stations18
Engines16
Trucks3
Tenders2
HAZMAT1
USAR1
Airport crash3
Wildland8
Website
Official website
IAFF website

History

Boise's first fire department was created on January 24, 1876; consisting of 28 volunteers. Engine Company #1 and Hook and Ladder Company #1 were housed in a converted blacksmith shop at 619 Main St., a one-story wood building which, ironically, burned down on Sept. 23, 1883. In 1902, the city created a paid, professional fire department with a part-time chief, three drivers and "pay-per-call" stokers and firefighters. The 1940's population growth led to a large expansion. The 1950's saw the introduction of radios and the dispatch office, but also saw a number of major downtown structure fires. The 1960's saw a staff of 107 firefighters with a call volume exceeding 1,000 alarms for the first time. The airport also needed specific Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment, and another station was built on-site in 1965. The 1970's saw 14 new pieces of equipment and vehicles purchased. With Boise's population reaching 102,000 in 1980, the department could not keep up. In 1982, over $2.46 million was lost due to an arson spree. And by 1989, the call volume was exceeding 7,000 call annually. The 1990's saw new construction, and upgraded training facility and grew to 15 stations by 1998.[5]

Their first female captain was promoted in 2019.[6]

Organization

The department has four (4) divisions as well as a Pipe and Drum corp and an Honor Guard.

Bureaus
  • Emergency Services
  • Support Services
  • Planning and Administration
  • Bureau of Fire Prevention

Operations

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus (2021)
Central Fire Station (1903) in Boise, Idaho, is part of the Boise Historic District.

The BFD firefighting operations are based out of the city's 17 local fire stations.

Address Engine Companies or other units EMS Units* Truck Companies Date Other
1 707 Reserve StreetEngine 1, Dive 1, Brush 11892Foothills Rescue unit & Battalion #1[7]
2 3551 Cartwright RoadEngine 2, Brush 21906[8]
3 2202 Gekeler LaneEngine 3Medic 131912Original engine "Old 13" is fully restored.[9]
4 8485 Ustick RoadEngine 4Truck 41950Battalion #2[10]
5 212 S. 16th StreetEngine 5Ladder 51906Being shut down and replaced.[11][12][13]
6 6933 Franklin RoadEngine 6
7 1666 Commerce StreetEngine 7, Rescue 7, Squad 7Truck 72003105-foot Ladder Tower[14]
8 3575 W. Overland RoadEngine 8, 22Medic 181956[15]
9 3101 SycamoreEngine 9, Brush 91975[16]
10 12065 West McMillanEngine 10Medic 281994[17]
11 10895 EmeraldEngine 111979[18]
12 3240 State Highway 21Engine 12, Brush 121998[19]
14 2515 S. Five Mile RdEngine 14, Water Tender 14, Brush 142007Replaced #21.Whitney Fire District, Ada County Sheriff sub-station[20]
15 3676 E. Warm Springs AveEngine 15, Brush 152013Replaced Station#22 [21]
16 5800 Glenwood StEngine 16, Water Tender 16, Brush 161967[22]
17 3801 S. Cole RoadEngine 17, Haz-Mat 172010Battalion #3 [23]
18 3895 Chinden BoulevardMedic 221979(inactive)Recruit Academy Training[24]
19 ARFF 2855 Lockheed LaneARFF Smokey 7, 9, 101965Boise Airport[25]
20 5871 Hidden Springs Drive1999Not staffed[26]

* EMS Services supplied by Ada County Paramedics


See also

References
  1. "Budget 2021" (PDF). City of Boise. p. 18. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  2. Misty Inglet (December 13, 2019). "Boise Fire welcomes 21 new firefighters in department's largest graduate academy". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. "Meridian's Emergency Operations Manager tapped as new Boise fire chief". November 2, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  4. "Ada County Paramedics". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  5. "Boise Fire:Department History". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  6. "Boise firefighter becomes first female fire captain in city's history". June 25, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  7. "Boise Fire Station #1". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  8. "Boise Fire Station #2". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  9. "Boise Fire Station #3". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  10. "Boise Fire Station #4". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  11. "Boise Fire Station #5". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  12. Ryan Suppe (April 15, 2021). "Boise to replace aging downtown fire station, add affordable housing". KTVB. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  13. Margaret Carmel (April 14, 2021). "Boise to replace downtown fire station, add affordable housing". BoiseDev. Retrieved Aug 20, 2021.
  14. "Boise Fire Station #7". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  15. "Boise Fire Station #8". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  16. "Boise Fire Station #9". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  17. "Boise Fire Station #10". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  18. "Boise Fire Station #11". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  19. "Boise Fire Station #12". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  20. "Boise Fire Station #14". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  21. "Boise Fire Station #15". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  22. "Boise Fire Station #16". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  23. "Boise Fire Station #17". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  24. "Boise Fire Station #18". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  25. "Boise Fire Station #19". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  26. "Boise Fire Station #20". Retrieved July 27, 2021.


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