A group of residents of the Colvill area began organizing its fire department in 1996. Led by the late Dr. David Bushman and the late WWII wounded-warrior Tom Crowe, the department was formed, and grants were sought to begin equipping and training firefighters, and building a fire hall on Highway 61. By 1998, the fire hall was completed, firefighters were ready, and the Colvill Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was officially recognized.
The Colvill Fire District is roughly defined from Five Mile Rock on the west along Hwy. 61 to the Brule River on the east. From Lake Superior to Trout Lake, the District is approximately 72 square miles. The Department is staffed with volunteers who receive no direct compensation on a per incident basis. There is a retirement/pension program, however, and that is currently fully funded.
The Colvill VFD provides structural and wildland firefighting services; medical first response; vehicular accident rescue and firefighting; and search and rescue operations within its district. Colvill has an automatic Mutual Aid Agreement with the Hovland VFD for all of those services, meaning both departments are dispatched at the same time whenever an emergency arises in either fire district.
The 12-member volunteer Colvill Fire Department has two pumper trucks ready to respond to fires or other emergencies if called upon.
What Does It Take?
Department members are required to complete Firefighter 1 and 2 level training under state supervision. Continuing training, required to maintain active status, is provided in-house two evenings per month. Emphasis in these ongoing training sessions is placed on vehicular accidents/rescues; structural firefighting; and medical emergencies. Volunteers are encouraged to train for medical first response certification but are not required for active service. For any of these services, the member providing that service must be certified to perform the needed tasks. In other words, only those with first response certification will perform emergency medical response.
During 2017, Colvill VFD responded to 35 emergency calls – three structure fires; four vehicular incidents; 26 medical emergencies; and two wildland fires.
Colvill VFD is managed by a volunteer board of directors that meets formally on the first Thursday of each month. With prudent acquisition of used vehicles, management of radios and other equipment, and the construction labor of skilled volunteers the levy request of the department is unchanged during the last several years.
Open House Every Sunday
The fire hall is open every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for additional training and as an open house for the general public. Tours, information, and light refreshments are available, and everyone is welcome—bring the kids!
If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of the Colvill VFD, stop by a Sunday Open House, call (218) 387-2931 or email cvfd96@gmail.com.
Answering the Call is a regular column featuring local volunteer fire departments. This month’s contributor is Valerie Marasco, director of the Office of Emergency Management & Public Information.
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