Volunteer Fire Department
Wolf Point organized its first Volunteer Fire Department in 1913. Man operated push hose carts made up the original equipment list. That same year they held their first Firemen’s Ball. In 1914 the first fire truck was purchased and had 15 men listed as firemen. The Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department became a member of the Montana State Fireman’s Association in 1920, hosting a convention in 1977.
Equipment purchased in 1937 included an American LaFrance pumper. The pumper had the ability to pump 500 gallons per minute. Another American LaFrance pumper was purchased in 1957. This truck is still in the possession of the WPVFD and is displayed at parades quite often. A Pierce pumper was purchased in 1974 and in the 1980’s the grass fighting rigs were also updated. In 1991 a new Pierce pumper was added as well as a large tender, which was built by the department and an extrication vehicle. Also purchased were SCBA gear, 3 high band portable radios and an air compressor. In 2000 a grass rig was totally revamped and rebuilt from the bottom up. A donated 1976 engine was received from an organization in Ohio.
[Historic photo of fire team] The department took over their present site on Main Street next to the City Hall in 1974. Prior to that they had occupied the Old Library building which had been the firehall since 1949. The original fire hall had been located in the building that is now used as the City Office building. The fire hall has seven stalls for fire trucks and houses 3 city pumpers, four (4) grass firefighting rigs, one water tender capable of storing 4,400 gals of transportable water and one crash truck that responds to accidents. There are currently 25 members of the Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department which responds to both city and rural fires.
Since 1914, all the firefighters have remained volunteers. Although they do receive budgeted income, each year they also rely on the generosity of the town they work to protect. It is this generosity that helps maintain a local, quality fire fighting response unit. The Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department recently held its 105th Annual Firemen’s Ball in 2019.
