"FIRE - On Sunday night our wooden town narrowly escaped destruction by fire. A pile of straw, surrounded by empty dry goods boxes in the rear of Walcot, Morse & Co.'s store, on Bridge Street, was found in a blaze by some gentleman returning to his home, who instantly alarmed the slumberers, and by their united exertion the fire was extinguished. This was undoubtedly the work of some incendiary, and we think it high time for our citizens to organize a regular system of fire night watch, and not be satisfied with only talking about it. Let some of our citizens take this matter in hand and imitate the example of our sister city, Virginia, by equipping a well appointed fire department, and maintaining it in a constant state of efficiency." From the Montana Post 8/26/1865

"FIRE BRIGADE - The Fire Brigade have secured rooms in Owen's building, corner of Main and Bridge streets. J.D.C. Curtis is Chief Engineer. The organization numbers over one hundred effective members. They have a hook and ladder truck, with axes, ropes and all other paraphernalia belonging to this branch of a Fire Department. Their bucket truck carries one hundred vessels. Their method of sounding an alarm is a three-fourth inch steel bar, seven and a half feet in length, triangularly bent. It answers the purpose of a bell quite effectively - it's clear, ringing notes being heard, when the hammer is vigorously applied, far out among the hills. The Fire Brigade members wear a beautiful silver star, police fashion." From the Montana Post 12/2/1865

The history of the Helena Fire Department was born simply of necessity and the matter was taken in hand as shown in the aforementioned newspaper articles.

The constant threat of complete destruction by fire of this newly born City, made Helena very cognizant of the danger that ultimately did leave it "a heap of ashes." These tragic circumstances did lead to the eventual formation of a paid, professional fire department on December 29, 1872. The Department was then located at Main and State Streets and from that location they protected the gulch until that station was destroyed by the 1935 earthquake.

At that time, the Helena Fire Department relocated alongside the Helena Police Department in the "Car Barns," on WONG and WEST MAIN. These buildings formerly housed the trolleys that operated in the area.

On March 10, 1939, the Helena Fire Department was moved to it's current location on the east side of the Civic Center on Neill Ave. This station has been in continuous operation since that time. This main station was remodeled in 1976, expanding it's living quarters and providing more office space. With the addition of a second station on the east side of Helena in 1978, the Helena Fire Department continued to provide the citizens of Helena with protection from fire, but also added response to many other types of emergencies that arise in our community.

Early in 2002, the main station was remodeled to allow us to more adequately meet today's demands on the fire service.

Phone: 406-447-8472
Fax:      406-447-8467
Mail:    Helena Fire Department, 300 Neill Ave., Helena, MT 59601