Frenchtown Career Fire Fighters L4654

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten. As we spend time with family and friends this weekend, we remember the true meaning of this day and those who gave everything for the freedoms we enjoy.

From all of us at the Frenchtown Career Firefighters IAFF Local 4654, we extend our gratitude to our fallen heroes and their families.

We remember. We honor. 🇺🇸

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

Convention has officially begun! Firefighters from across Montana gathered this morning in Whitefish and were welcomed by Whitefish Fire Department Chief Hadley. Over the next three days, we’re looking forward to learning, building connections, and continuing to strengthen the future of Montana’s Firefighters together.

03/19/2026

🚒 10 Years of Service

Today we recognize FF/Paramedic Kirk Bartel for 10 years of service with our Local—but his time in the fire service goes back much further than that.

He got his start while still in high school, and it didn’t take long for people to notice the kind of firefighter he was. He earned a Volunteer Service Award in 1991 and was named Rookie of the Year in 1994 with the Ronan–Pablo Fire Department—early signs of a career defined by commitment.

He continued to raise the bar, earning his Paramedic in 2009 and Critical Care Paramedic in 2010, bringing a high level of skill and calm to the calls that matter most.

He joined Frenchtown Rural Fire District as a volunteer in 2014, and in 2016 earned his place as a career firefighter/paramedic.

Since then, he’s been the kind of firefighter you want next to you—steady, experienced, and someone who shows up ready to go, no matter the call.

This job takes time, sacrifice, and a willingness to keep showing up when it’s hard. Kirk has done that for decades—not just 10 years.

We’re proud to have him in our Local, and even more proud to call him one of our own.

Congratulations on 10 years at FRFD—and a lifetime of service.

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️

🍀 A little Irish luck never hurts.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the . 🚒

03/13/2026

Montana’s Mike McDaniel, a Captain with the Helena Fire Department (L448) for the past 20 years, lost his home in a devastating fire on March 12, 2026. Over the past year, Mike and his family have already faced significant challenges. He recently underwent a kidney transplant and is still recoveri...

02/12/2026

Mayor Butch Grenz proposal to "Defund the Fire Department"

On January 27, during a City Council meeting, newly re-elected Mayor Butch Grenz publicly raised a serious and unexpected proposal that would fundamentally change emergency services in Miles City.

Without a formal study, without community input, and without consultation with the professionals who currently provide these services, the mayor suggested:

🚨Eliminating the Miles City Fire Department
🚨Contracting fire protection to a neighboring volunteer department
🚨Privatizing Miles City’s public, not-for-profit ambulance service

This proposal was not listed on the meeting agenda that night. And while fire services are not listed on the agenda for the upcoming meeting either, it is important for the public to understand that major policy shifts have already been introduced without warning.

The Miles City City Council meets Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM, both in person and via Zoom.

CITY OF MILES CITY – Regular Council Meeting
📍 City Council Chambers
💻 Zoom: zoom.us
🆔 Meeting ID: 4062343462
🔑 Passcode: 59301

These are not small or administrative changes. Eliminating a staffed fire department and privatizing ambulance transport would have clear, real-world impacts on emergency response times, firefighter and patient safety, insurance rates, and outcomes during fires and medical emergencies.

Saving lives and protecting property is not a part-time job. It is not a for-profit business model. Emergency services are time-critical, labor-intensive, and highly technical. They require trained professionals, adequate staffing, and strong public oversight.

We encourage the community to stay informed, ask questions, and participate. We will continue to provide education about what these changes could mean for Miles City and why professional fire and EMS services are essential to public safety.

Thank you for your attention and engagement.