On July 25, 1951, the Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department was formed and consisted of 11 members and a one stall garage. On average, the HVFD consisted of nearly 30 volunteers, 3 fire halls and over a dozen emergency vehicles; including 2 snow mobiles. On average, the all-volunteer department responded to over 1000 incidents annually. In 2023 The City and HVFD agreed that it was time to move to a new model for emergency service in Hermantown. This new model will both ensure there is always someone to answer an emergency page and take the strain off of the volunteers. As of January 1 2024 HVFD turned over the fire department to the City who formed the Hermantown Fire Department. This new department consists of 2 full time members and a staff of 25 paid on call members. Many members of the volunteer department signed up and were hired for positions in the new department. While the Hermantown Fire Department's primary response area consists of the 34.3 square miles within Hermantown City limits, the department also assists in protecting numerous other communities and townships through our participation in the Lakehead Firefighter and Mutual Aid Association.
