The Operations Division is responsible for providing timely and effective emergency services to all citizens and businesses in Kalispell. These services include fire suppression, advanced life support (ALS) ambulance service, hazardous materials response, specialized rescue and other emergencies. The Operations Chief oversees the firefighter paramedic career staff.

The ALS ambulances respond to a greater portion of Flathead County for medical emergencies.

More specifically the division is responsible for a broad array of functions which are necessary to support its primary role of emergency response. These responsibilities include training for all emergency response functions, equipment and station maintenance and the development of mutual aid and other interagency agreements regarding emergency response.

The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for administering all Fire Department prevention programs. These programs include fire protection systems, inspection services, investigations, new construction review, youth fire awareness, and public education. The Fire Prevention Division consists of three personnel.

The Division is responsible for ensuring that all buildings and facilities constructed, within the City of Kalispell, conform to all applicable fire codes and standards, that all buildings and facilities are inspected periodically to detect and correct fire hazards and that all fire protection and hazardous materials systems are installed and maintained correctly. The Division is responsible for determining the cause and origin of all fires and to initiate actions to identify changes in fire codes and standards based on relevant fire history. The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for providing educational opportunities for children, special population groups and the general public, identifying emerging community fire trends and assisting businesses in educating employees in proper fire safety behaviors. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for

maintaining applicable records, accounting and related systems capable of supporting all fire prevention programs in accordance with state statutes and recognized administrative practices.

Under general direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Prevention Assistant Chief (Fire Marshal) directs all activities of the division and is responsible for planning, administering and evaluating all fire prevention programs.

Follow this link to view a more detailed description of Fire Prevention Programs or send an email to the Assistant Chief.

The Training Chief is responsible for providing training and education to Operations personnel with the intent of keeping skill and knowledge levels high. Specific programs include the basic training program, Paramedic refresher classes, Company Officer and Driver Operator testing and certification, safety and hazard mitigation, annual recruit fire academies, annual major emphasis training, company performance evaluations, hiring and recruitment, personnel development, as well as wild land training and certification.

Administrative Services is responsible for providing administrative assistance to Fire Department Divisions in the areas of financial management, Ambulance billing, personnel records, policy documentation, insurance, risk management, strategic planning, public contacts, and City Council reports.