About Us

The Bigfork Fire Department is a fire and EMS combination department located in Bigfork, Montana at the northeast corner of Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western United States. Bigfork Fire is a paid and volunteer combination department staffed 24/7 with fire and EMS professionals. Bigfork Fire runs approximately 1,000 calls per year. 

About the resident program
Bigfork Fire started its resident program in January of 2022 and will be starting with two resident firefighters. The resident program is designed for college age adults seeking experience needed for full-time employment in the emergency services field. 

• Respond to medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents on a transporting ambulance.
• Actively engage in structural and wildland firefighting as a part of a team.

Drive and operate emergency equipment, including:
• Fire engines
• Ambulances
• Water tenders

Residents will be assigned a private room in the station to live in for the duration of their residency. Each room will be equipped with bed, small refrigerator, TV, WIFI, desk and closet space. Free off street parking is also provided. Residents will be provided with uniform shirts, pants, wildland gear and turnout gear. Residents will be volunteers of the district but be eligible for a tuition reimbursement for education. Bigfork Fire will also cover the costs for the resident to attend the following trainings: 

-NWCG Firefighter 2
-IFSAC Firefighter 1 at the MSU Fire Services Training School
-National Registry Emergency Medical Technician
-ARFF Basic at the Helena Airport

Bigfork Fire also has weekly in house trainings residents will have the opportunity to attend and participate in. Bigfork Fire owns its own three story training tower located at our Echo Lake facility. 

Residents will have the option to become seasonal Emergency Firefighter Employees of the State of Montana and go to paid wildland fire assignments on Bigfork Fire equipment. 

This is a live in program and residents are expected to live in the station to be available to respond on calls for service in order to gain the most experience. Residents will be assigned shifts to be worked. Arrangements will be made to ensure the resident is not scheduled during personal commitments and schooling. 

Residents successful in the program will be provided letters of recommendation and professional references as they begin to search for a full-time emergency services career.    

Next steps

If you would like more information on the Resident Program please contact:

Chief Patton
[email protected]
406-837-4590

Our application for employment is below. If you have questions, or need assistance with the application, please contact us. The application can be submitted via email, US Mail or in person.

Currently Not Accepting Applications -
​0 position currently open