Boise Fire Department Explained

Boise Fire Department
Motto:"Pride, Dedication, Service"
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2: Ada
Subdivision Type3:City
Subdivision Name3: Boise
Reference1:[1]
Established:January 24, 1876
Annual Calls:19,400+
Annual Budget:$59,523,387
Employees:267 [2]
Staffing:Career
Chief:Chief Mark Niemeyer (2020)[3]
Blsorals:ALS & BLS
Iaff:149
Divisions:4
Battalions:3 (9 Battalion Chiefs)
Stations:18
Engines:16
Trucks:3
Wildfire Engines:8
Tenders:2
Hazmat:1
Usar:1
Crash:3

The Boise Fire Department is the agency that provides fire suppression services within the city of Boise, Idaho and contract services to two suburban fire districts including the city of Garden City and village of Hidden Springs. It is the largest fire department in Idaho. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided by the separate county agency, Ada County Paramedics.[4] Currently, Boise Fire Department has 300+ full time employees, 17 Fire Stations, a Hazardous Materials Team, ARFF team, Dive Team and a Technical Rescue Team. The Department serves a population of 236,000 residents in 130+ square miles.

History

Boise's first fire department was created on January 24, 1876; consisting of 28 volunteers. Engine Company #1 and Hook and Ladder Company #1 were housed in a converted blacksmith shop at 619 Main St., a one-story wood building which, ironically, burned down on Sept. 23, 1883. In 1902, the city created a paid, professional fire department with a part-time chief, three drivers and "pay-per-call" stokers and firefighters. The 1940's population growth led to a large expansion. The 1950's saw the introduction of radios and the dispatch office, but also saw a number of major downtown structure fires. The 1960's saw a staff of 107 firefighters with a call volume exceeding 1,000 alarms for the first time. The airport also needed specific Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment, and another station was built on-site in 1965. The 1970's saw 14 new pieces of equipment and vehicles purchased. With Boise's population reaching 102,000 in 1980, the department could not keep up. In 1982, over $2.46 million was lost due to an arson spree. And by 1989, the call volume was exceeding 7,000 call annually. The 1990's saw new construction, and upgraded training facility and grew to 15 stations by 1998.[5]

Their first female captain was promoted in 2019.[6]

Organization

The department has four (4) divisions as well as a Pipe and Drum corp and an Honor Guard.

Bureaus

Operations

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus (2021)

The BFD firefighting operations are based out of the city's 17 local fire stations.

AddressEngine Companies or other unitsEMS Units*Truck CompaniesDateOther
1707 Reserve Street Engine 1, Dive 1, Brush 11892Foothills Rescue unit & Battalion #1[7]
23551 Cartwright Road Engine 2, Brush 2 1906[8]
32202 Gekeler Lane Engine 3 Medic 131912Original engine "Old 13" is fully restored.[9]
48485 Ustick Road Engine 4 Truck 41950Battalion #2[10]
5212 S. 16th Street Engine 5 Ladder 51906Being shut down and replaced.[11] [12] [13]
66933 Franklin Road Engine 6
71666 Commerce Street Engine 7, Rescue 7, Squad 7 Truck 7 2003105-foot Ladder Tower[14]
83575 W. Overland Road Engine 8, 22 Medic 18 1956[15]
93101 Sycamore Engine 9, Brush 9 1975[16]
1012065 West McMillan Engine 10 Medic 28 1994[17]
1110895 Emerald Engine 11 1979[18]
123240 State Highway 21 Engine 12, Brush 12 1998[19]
142515 S. Five Mile Rd Engine 14, Water Tender 14, Brush 14 2007Replaced #21.Whitney Fire District, Ada County Sheriff sub-station[20]
153676 E. Warm Springs Ave Engine 15, Brush 15 2013Replaced Station#22 [21]
165800 Glenwood St Engine 16, Water Tender 16, Brush 16 1967[22]
173801 S. Cole Road Engine 17, Haz-Mat 17 2010Battalion #3 [23]
183895 Chinden BoulevardMedic 22 1979(inactive)Recruit Academy Training[24]
19 ARFF2855 Lockheed LaneARFF Smokey 7, 9, 10 1965Boise Airport[25]
205871 Hidden Springs Drive 1999Not staffed[26]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Budget 2021. City of Boise. July 27, 2021. 18.
  2. Web site: Boise Fire welcomes 21 new firefighters in department's largest graduate academy . December 13, 2019 . Misty Inglet . July 27, 2021.
  3. Web site: Meridian's Emergency Operations Manager tapped as new Boise fire chief . November 2, 2020 . July 27, 2021.
  4. Web site: Ada County Paramedics . July 27, 2021.
  5. Web site: Boise Fire:Department History . July 27, 2021.
  6. Web site: Boise firefighter becomes first female fire captain in city's history . June 25, 2019 . July 27, 2021.
  7. Web site: Boise Fire Station #1 . July 27, 2021.
  8. Web site: Boise Fire Station #2 . July 27, 2021.
  9. Web site: Boise Fire Station #3 . July 27, 2021.
  10. Web site: Boise Fire Station #4 . July 27, 2021.
  11. Web site: Boise Fire Station #5 . July 27, 2021.
  12. Web site: Boise to replace aging downtown fire station, add affordable housing . . April 15, 2021 . Ryan Suppe . July 27, 2021.
  13. Web site: Boise to replace downtown fire station, add affordable housing . BoiseDev . Margaret Carmel . April 14, 2021 . Aug 20, 2021.
  14. Web site: Boise Fire Station #7 . July 27, 2021.
  15. Web site: Boise Fire Station #8 . July 27, 2021.
  16. Web site: Boise Fire Station #9 . July 27, 2021.
  17. Web site: Boise Fire Station #10 . July 27, 2021.
  18. Web site: Boise Fire Station #11 . July 27, 2021.
  19. Web site: Boise Fire Station #12 . July 27, 2021.
  20. Web site: Boise Fire Station #14 . July 27, 2021.
  21. Web site: Boise Fire Station #15 . July 27, 2021.
  22. Web site: Boise Fire Station #16 . July 27, 2021.
  23. Web site: Boise Fire Station #17 . July 27, 2021.
  24. Web site: Boise Fire Station #18 . July 27, 2021.
  25. Web site: Boise Fire Station #19 . July 27, 2021.
  26. Web site: Boise Fire Station #20 . July 27, 2021.