Great Falls Fire Fighters

06/01/2026

Captain Weir worked his last shift! Please join us in congratulating him on 20 years of service to Local 8 and Great Falls Fire Rescue. We hope he enjoys a well deserved retirement! He will be missed by many.

05/21/2026

UPDATE 5/22/26 10:45AM - Sometime early this morning, the regular non-emergency dispatch line and most City office lines started working again, along with several AT&T subscribers' phones. Please resume using 406-455-8599 for non-emergencies and thanks for your patience.

ORIGINAL POST 5/21/26 10:13AM - Several City offices are currently experiencing a phone and internet outage, including Non-Emergency Dispatch. The outage is also affecting AT&T's cell phone network.

Until lines are repaired, please use 406-454-6979 for non-emergency needs.

FOR EMERGENCIES - 911 IS STILL WORKING and your mobile phones (even AT&T phones) should still work to call 911.

We will update this post when everything is up and running properly again.

05/08/2026

Please join us as we honor the legacy of Dave “Loper” Lee and his 27+ years of dedicated commitment and service to our department and our community.

📍 Scottish Rite - 1304 13th St S, Great Falls, MT
📅 Friday, May 15th, 2026

• Viewing: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Funeral Service: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Procession Begins: 1:00 PM

The funeral service is open to all first responders, agencies, people impacted by Dave’s life, or members of the public who want to pay their respects. If you are an agency that wants to be a part of the procession please comment below and we will message you directly.

Captain Lee’s impact on the fire service and those who served beside him will never be forgotten. We ask that you keep his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in the fire service in your thoughts during this difficult time.

05/07/2026

Our sincerest condolences go out to the Lee family as they navigate a huge loss. Brother Dave Lee dedicated his life to the Fire Service and to his community. Rest in peace “Loper”.

It is with deep sorrow that the Black Eagle Fire Department announces the unexpected passing of Retired Captain Dave Lee, who faithfully served our department and community for 27 years. Captain Lee dedicated his career to protecting others with professionalism, leadership, and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on every member of this department and the citizens he served.

Throughout his career, Captain Lee was respected not only as a firefighter and officer, but also as a mentor, friend, and role model. His commitment to service and the fire service brotherhood will never be forgotten.

We ask the community to keep Captain Lee’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters in their thoughts during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements and memorial information will be shared as they become available.

Respectfully,
Black Eagle Fire Department

04/23/2026

Congratulations to Captain Devon Hagen on 18 years of service to the Great Falls community, Captain Hagen has accepted a position with Columbia Falls Fire and will continue the same passion and dedication to the west side of the mountains, we wish you the best brother!

03/31/2026

GREAT FALLS FIRE RESCUE’S B-PLATOON RESPONDS TO TWO STRUCTURE FIRES IN 24 HOURS.

Great Falls, MT – Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to two separate structure fires over a 24-hour period on March 30 and March 31, 2026.

*WAREHOUSE FIRE at Hickory Swing Golf Course (March 30)

On March 30, B-Shift crews responded to a reported structure fire at a warehouse building at Hickory Swing Golf Course, located at 1100 American Avenue. Upon arrival, GFFR’s crew found the building fully involved with fire, including multiple golf carts and equipment stored inside.

Due to the extent of the fire involvement, crews initiated defensive operations to contain the fire and prevent further spread. A second alarm was issued to provide additional resources. No injuries have been reported.

The crews were soon able to gain control, and a fire watch was established to monitor for any rekindling. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigators are working closely with Hickory Swing staff and will continue their assessment this morning.

*APARTMENT FIRE – Voyager Apartments, 1630 Division Road

On March 31, at approximately 3:30AM, GFFR responded to a fire alarm activation at the Voyager apartments located at 1630 Division Road.

Initial response included two engines and B-Shift’s Battalion Chief. Upon arrival, crews encountered smoke in the hallway and upgraded the incident to a full structure fire response.
Crews were able to make entry into a single apartment to locate and contain the fire, limiting damage to the point of origin.

One occupant was found in the apartment and had sustained burn injuries and required critical prehospital care. The individual was airlifted to a regional burn center in Salt Lake City for further treatment.

A fire watch was posted, and the sprinkler riser was shut down after the incident. This fire did not require a callback. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and does not appear to be criminal in nature.

SAFETY REMINDER

GFFR would like to emphasize that these incidents highlight the importance of working smoke alarms, fire sprinkler systems, and the prompt reporting of fires. Early notification allows our crews to respond quickly, limiting fire spread and improving outcomes.

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03/15/2026

When firefighters call a Mayday, the fire service answers.

Montana’s own Captain Mike McDaniel (Helena Fire Department – IAFF Local 448) and his family are facing an incredibly difficult time after losing their home in a devastating fire.

Over the past year, Captain McDaniel has already endured significant challenges, including recovering from serious injuries from an on-duty explosion and undergoing a kidney transplant. Now his family is working to rebuild after this latest loss.

The Yard Foundation has launched a Mayday campaign to help support the McDaniel family as they recover and move forward.

If you are able, please consider donating or sharing this campaign. The fire service takes care of its own.

🔗 https://www.theyardfoundation.org/mayday/mcdaniel

03/05/2026

Congrats to our new Fire Chief, Jeremy Virts!

03/01/2026

🎓 Now Open: 2026–2027 MSFA Scholarship

Behind every firefighter is a family that sacrifices, supports, and serves in their own way.

The MSFA Scholarship is one way we give back to those families.

Applications are officially open and will close April 15 at 5:00PM MT.

If you’re a dependent or spouse of a current or retired MSFA member and planning post-secondary education next year, we encourage you to apply.

Union membership is about more than wages and benefits — it’s about building a future.

🔗 Full details and application information at our website, mscopff.org

02/27/2026

What a great weekend! Thank you to all who played, helped facilitate, came to watch, and generously donated to the first ever Great Falls Firefighters Blazing Paddles Pickleball Tournament! This tournament raised money to go right back into our community.

Our winners were:

Lower Intermediate
1st: Zander Ehnes & Bryce Nelson
2nd: Jason Pence & Tanner Pence

Upper Intermediate
1st: Tyler Carlin & Edward Ivey
2nd: Gary Bistodeau & Ernie Mills

Advaced
1st: Brett Stingley & Joe Bryant
2nd: Kyle Forward & Cody Overson

Special thank you Janna Reynolds for the photos and to the Electric City Pickleball Club for all of your help with this tournament!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Battalion Chief Sponsors:
Electric City Pickleball Club
Halftime Sports Bar
Scheels
Hi Ho Tavern
Schulte's 38th Street Store and Coffee House
Selkirk Sport - We are Pickleball
Alpha Tattoos and Piercings

Captain Sponsors:
Hoglund's Western Wear
Peak Health and Wellness Center
Brown Trout Portables and septic LLC
Grizzly Gold and Silver - Great Falls
Play It Again Sports - Great Falls, MT
King Motors

Firefighter Sponsor:
Great Falls Coins & More
Kaufmans Menswear
Stockman Bank