Gibraltar Firefighters Association

09/02/2026

🚒 GFD PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHT – CHIEF CINDY SIMON 🚒

This week, we’re proud to highlight Chief Cindy Simon!

Chief Simon has dedicated 23 years to public safety, including 7 years serving the Gibraltar Fire Department. As a third-generation Gibraltar firefighter, public service and the fire service are truly part of her family’s tradition.

Her years of experience, extensive education, specialized training, and commitment to teaching the next generation of firefighters continue to be an asset to our department and community.

And when it comes to apparatus, there’s no question which one is her favorite — the ladder truck! 🚒

Please join us in recognizing Chief Cindy Simon and thanking her for her continued leadership, service, and dedication to the City of Gibraltar.

08/24/2026

🚨 APPARATUS UPDATE – LADDER 1562 OUT OF SERVICE 🚨

The Gibraltar Fire Department would like to make our residents and businesses aware that Ladder 1562 is currently OUT OF SERVICE due to brake system issues. Repairs are being addressed, and we will provide an update once the apparatus is safely returned to service.

🚒 Engine 1571 remains IN SERVICE and available to respond to emergencies throughout the City of Gibraltar.

While Ladder 1562 is out of service, for all commercial fire incidents, we will be relying on our Auto Aid partners to provide ladder truck coverage, as our first-due ladder for commercial fires is currently unavailable.

Our surrounding fire departments work closely together through Auto Aid agreements to ensure the appropriate resources are dispatched when needed. We appreciate the continued cooperation and support of our neighboring departments while Ladder 1562 is being repaired.

Public safety remains our priority.

☎️ For emergencies, always dial 911.

We will keep the community updated as repairs progress and when Ladder 1562 returns to service.

Professionalism • Integrity • Service

08/24/2026

📊 THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY

Over the last 25 years, Gibraltar has changed—and so has the demand placed on your Gibraltar Fire Department.

In 2001, the department responded to 148 calls. By 2025, that number had grown to 580 calls per year.

That’s nearly a 300% increase in emergency call volume.

What makes this even more significant? During that same period, Gibraltar’s population has remained relatively stable and is actually lower today than it was during several years in the early 2000s.

🚒 More calls. More demands. More responsibility.

These numbers demonstrate why adequate staffing and emergency response capabilities are so important. Today’s fire department isn't responding to the same call volume it was 10, 15, or 25 years ago.

As we continue sharing information about the proposed Public Safety Millage, we want our residents to understand the data behind the need for reliable staffing.

Having firefighters staffed at the station means personnel are already there when the call comes in—ready to respond to medical emergencies, fires, vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide incidents, and the many other emergencies we handle throughout the year.

This isn't about where we were 25 years ago.

It's about making sure Gibraltar's emergency services are prepared for where we are today—and where we're going tomorrow.

Thank you for continuing to support your Gibraltar firefighters and for taking the time to learn about the needs of your fire department.

Our Community. Our Commitment.

08/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to the Dollar General and donated supplies or money. Our community is amazing and thanks to all of you we have a fantastic start to our school supply drive for Parsons Elementary School! We will be back at Dollar General 9/4 4-8pm and again 9/5 10-2. The donation box remains at the front of city hall for other donations.

08/22/2026

🚒📚 SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE — TODAY! ✏️🎒

The Gibraltar Fire Department is out at Dollar General today from 10 AM–2 PM collecting school supplies for Parsons Elementary School!

We’re asking our community to help us stock the classrooms and make sure our local students and teachers have the supplies they need for a great school year.

✏️ Pencils
📓 Notebooks
🖍️ Crayons & Markers
📁 Folders
✂️ Glue & Scissors

🔥 Stop by, say hello to your Gibraltar firefighters, and drop off a donation! Every notebook, pencil, and box of crayons helps.

❤️ Shop. Donate. Make a Difference.

Thank you, Gibraltar, for always supporting our community and our kids!

08/17/2026

🔥 **STAFFING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT: THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES** 🚒

As we continue providing information about the future of fire and EMS service in Gibraltar, we want our residents to understand what their investment provides.

Our proposed staffing model would place **two Firefighter/EMTs on duty 12 hours a day, 7 days a week**, with a **dedicated ambulance and personnel assigned to our city**.

💰 **Annual Fire Department Staffing Cost: $216,216**

For comparison, based on approximately **500 medical calls per year**, private ambulance coverage is estimated at:

• **Low:** $416,712/year
• **Median:** $455,042/year
• **High:** $490,397/year

That means private ambulance coverage could cost approximately **$200,000–$274,000 MORE per year** than staffing our own department.

And there is another important difference:

🚑 **Private ambulance coverage does NOT provide a dedicated ambulance assigned to the City of Gibraltar.**

🔥 It would also leave approximately **100 fire-related calls each year** that would still require coverage by the Gibraltar Fire Department.

Staffing our department means our community's investment stays right here in Gibraltar. It provides dedicated personnel, a dedicated ambulance, improved readiness for both **fire and EMS emergencies**, and greater local control over the service our residents receive.

This isn't just about comparing two numbers. It's about asking what provides the **greatest value, strongest coverage, and most reliable emergency response for our community.**

**$216,216 — Staff our Fire Department.**
**$416,712–$490,397 — Private ambulance coverage, without a dedicated ambulance and with fire calls still requiring coverage.**

🚒 **Strong staffing. Reliable response. A safer tomorrow.**

08/16/2026

🚒 WHY RESPONSE TIMES MATTER 🚒

When someone calls 911, every minute matters.

Currently, as a paid-on-call fire department, our firefighters must first be notified, leave their home or workplace, travel to the fire station, assemble a crew, and then respond to the emergency.

Having firefighters staffed at the station changes that.

With personnel already at the station, crews can get on the apparatus and begin responding almost immediately—eliminating one of the biggest delays in the paid-on-call response model.

🔥 Fires grow quickly. Every minute of delay can mean more fire, more smoke, and more property damage.

❤️ Medical emergencies are time-sensitive. During cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, breathing emergencies, and other life-threatening situations, getting trained personnel to the patient sooner can make a critical difference.

Staffing means faster deployment. Instead of waiting for firefighters to arrive at the station before the fire truck or ambulance can leave, a staffed crew is already there and ready to respond.

The proposed staffing model isn’t about changing who your firefighters are. These are still your Gibraltar firefighters—your friends, neighbors, and community members. It simply puts firefighters in the station during staffed hours so they can get to you faster when you need them.

Our goal is simple:

Reduce response times. Get help to our residents sooner. Provide the level of service our community deserves.

When you’re experiencing an emergency, minutes don’t feel like minutes.

Faster response. Stronger outcomes. A safer Gibraltar.

08/14/2026

Please check out the city’s webpage with more information on the millage.

📢 Public Safety Millage Ballot Proposal Information

The City of Gibraltar has added information about the Public Safety Millage Ballot Proposal to its website. Residents are encouraged to review the available materials to learn more about the proposal and its potential impacts on the community.

The information is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not advocate for or against the proposal. The decision of how to vote remains with each individual voter.

https://cityofgibraltarmi.gov/public-safety-millage/

08/12/2026

🎒📚 GIBRALTAR FIRE DEPARTMENT SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE ✏️🖍️

The Gibraltar Fire Department is proud to help local students start the school year prepared and ready to succeed!

Now through September 8th, we will be collecting new school supplies to help support students and families in our community.

📍 DROP-OFF LOCATION:
A donation box will be located inside Gibraltar City Hall.

Every donation—big or small—can make a difference for a student heading back to school.

Help us fill the box and support Gibraltar’s students!

Please share this post and help us spread the word!

05/18/2026

It’s EMS Week! 🚑

From May 17–23, we recognize and celebrate the dedicated EMS professionals who serve our community with compassion, skill, and courage each and every day. This year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” highlights the teamwork and collaboration that help save lives and strengthen our communities.

At Gibraltar Fire, we are proud of our EMS staff who continually go above and beyond providing excellent pre-hospital care. We’re incredibly thankful for all they do. 💙❤️

If you see our EMS personnel out this week, please join us in thanking them for their service!