Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department

06/12/2026

Rockerville Engine 3-4 assisted the USFS on a fire this afternoon near Camp Re*****on. This is exactly why we practice our drafting with engines and portable pumps. The closest large water source was Lakota Lake, with an hour plus turn-around time. Instead we utilized the creek for drafting and were able to get water on the fire quickly. Battle Creek Fire, Hill City Fire, and Custer Fire were all on scene as well as USFS and SD Wildland Fire.

06/12/2026

Rockerville personnel trained on wildland urban interface and drafting tonight. It was a great evening to be outside. We often don't have hydrants to utilize for filling our engines, so we need to be proficient with drafting so we can pull water from a portatank, stream, pond, lake, swimming pool, or any other place we can get water. Hands on the engines is always a good night!

06/08/2026

The Rockerville VFD would like to sell our Type 1 Structure engine. Engine 1-6 is a 1998 Freightliner Smeal pumper. The chassis is a Freightliner FL80 4-wheel drive chassis with a 325 hp turbo diesel Cummins engine and an Allison automatic transmission. The water storage is 960 gallons. The raised roof cab comfortably seats a crew of five; four in SCBA seats. The seats are all leather.

This unit has a 1250 gpm Waterous water pump and a FoamPro foam system with Class A foam. Other features include a top mount pump operators console, full height lift up compartments on both sides of the body, a hydraulic ladder rack equipped with a 35 foot extension ladder, 14 foot roof ladder, 10 foot folding ladder, and two 10 foot sections of 6” hard suction hose. (Note: the 14 foot roof ladder and 10 foot folding ladder will not be sold with the truck). The body also features a 5000 watt on-board generator with two 1000 watt quartz tripod lights. The rear compartment is transverse and features two slots for backboards. The lower rear compartment features a roll out tray for our positive pressure ventilation fan (not sold with the truck). Compartments on the rear of the body house both a dry chemical and CO2 fire extinguishers (these will not be sold with the truck). The walk-through pump panel and two direct-connect hoselays are stored behind the cab. The canvas-covered hose bed has storage areas for a variety of hose sizes. We currently use this area to store LDH and 2.5” hoselays (hose not sold with the truck). The truck has just over 19,000 miles.

We expect this engine to be available in August, after our new engine arrives and we have time to transition. Rockerville VFD is asking $95,000 for this unit. If you are interested or have further questions, please email [email protected] for further information.

06/05/2026

Great information from Jim and Terry regarding rattlesnakes and rattlesnake bites. Definitely worth your time to view this video.

06/04/2026

Our thoughts are with Jonah's family and friends during this challenging time.

05/16/2026

RAPID CITY, S.D. - A two-vehicle crash six miles west of Rapid City claimed the life of a 76-year-old woman and left another woman with life-threatening

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

Around 3pm yesterday afternoon Rockerville units and Medic 4 from Rapid City Fire were paged for a 2-vehicle crash on Hwy 16 near Old McDonald's Farm. Additional resources were requested. This was a serious crash with two patients transported.

As we head into the summer months with increased traffic on our highways, it is a great time to remind everyone to be mindful of their surroundings. Watch for deer and motorcycles, be patient at the intersections (count to 20 and most of the time you won't have to wait longer than that), wear your seat belts, drive the speed limit and for the road conditions. Please slow down and pull over for emergency vehicles who are trying to respond to these calls. Let's be safe this summer!

To the civilians who stopped to help on this call, thank you! Please take care of yourselves and give yourself grace. These vehicle crashes can be mentally challenging. We appreciate your help.

This photo is a snapshot taken from the Newscenter1 tower cam by our fire station on Hwy 16.

05/13/2026

Please be careful with any ignition sources.

05/11/2026

Just before 2pm Rockerville units with our mutual aid partners of Battle Creek Fire, Rapid City Fire, Rapid Valley Fire, and State Wildland Fire responded to a grassfire off of Hwy 79 near Potato Butte. Resources had a quick knockdown because the fire checked up against a 2-track. The fire is just over 10 acres. Resources are still on the fire, but will be released shortly.
This next week will hold critical fire weather. Please be careful with any ignition sources.