Comments and Questions
![[picture: Sparky (GFFR's mascot) waving from the seat of the 1924 Stutz Parade Unit]](images/sparkyridestutz.jpg)
Comments
Thank you for visiting the Great Falls Fire Rescue web site. Your comments and/or suggestions about our web site are important to us. Please use our comment form.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I get a Fire Rescue patch?
- How do I obtain a burning permit?
- Will Great Falls Fire Rescue service my fire extinguishers?
- Do you conduct tours of your stations?
- Do you have to respond with lights and sirens?/Do you have to send a big fire truck?
- Why do both the fire department and ambulance service respond to medical emergency calls?
- How can I get a copy of an incident report?
How can I get a Fire Rescue patch?
Patches are $5.00 each and you can get one by coming to the main office at Station 1 which is located at 105 9th Street South, any time during normal business hours Monday thru Friday 8am - 5pm. To order by mail, send a check or money order made out to Great Falls Fire Rescue and mail to 105 9th St. S, Great Falls, MT 59401.
How do I obtain a burning permit?
No burning in the City limits. Burning permits for contracted fire districts are issued through our office by calling 727-8070. Burning permits for outside the City limits and fire districts are obtained through the Cascade County Sheriff's Office and they can be reached at 454-6834.
Will Great Falls Fire Rescue service my fire extinguishers?
The Great Falls Fire Rescue does not service fire extinguishers for the public. We only maintain our own extinguishers. If your fire extinguisher is in need of servicing, check the yellow pages of your phone book under Fire Extinguishers or Fire Protection Equipment.
Do you conduct tours of your stations?
Tours of our 4 fire stations are available by appointment. Please call 727-8070 to set up a tour for your group.
Do you have to respond with lights and sirens?/Do you have to send a big fire truck?
Firefighters respond in the fire trucks from the location and activities they are currently engaged in. This ensures the quickest response possible. The lights and sirens are used until what time the status of the emergency call is determined and/or confirmed.
Why do both the fire department and ambulance service respond to medical emergency calls?
- During a medical emergency a quick response and rapid medical intervention is critically important in achieving a positive medical outcome for injured or ill patients. Fire stations strategically located in the city generally enable medically trained firefighters to arrive more quickly to emergencies than ambulances.
- Many times patients will need to be extricated or disentangled as a result of a fall or an automobile accident before medical treatment and transportation can occur. Firefighters are trained and equipped to address these often challenging situations.
- During certain types of medical emergencies it takes staff from both response agencies to effectively and efficiently treat patients. According to the American Heart Association “… In those [EMS] systems that have attained survival rates higher than 20 percent for patient with ventricular fibrillation, response teams include, as a minimum, two ALS providers and two BLS providers.”
- Nearly half of all emergency medical responses don’t require ambulance transport. Because the fire department generally arrives quicker at medical calls, firefighters are able to determine whether or not ambulance transport is requested or necessary. If not, this information is passed along to the ambulance while they’re en-route and enables them to stay in-service for the next medical call. This helps the ambulance company operate with fewer ambulances and in turn helps keep their costs lower.
