FIRE CHIEF’S MESSAGE
As the Fire Chief for the City of Havre, I am humbled and honored to lead such a tremendous group of Fire/EMS service professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of emergency services to the residents and visitors of this community. The Havre Fire Department was established in January of 1905 following a devastating down town fire on January 14, 1904. In 1955 Havre fire Department obtained its first Ambulance (a 1955 Cadillac). Havre Fire Department is staffed by Firefighters all crossed trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. The station also serves as a location resource for CPR, first aid training and has three certified infant car seat installers.
Havre Fire Department has a proud history of protecting and serving the citizens of Havre. As you might imagine, the Havre Fire Department has seen many changes in the community and to this department over the past 116 years of service, but the one thing that has remained constant is the Havre Fire Department’s unwavering dedication and commitment to serving our community. One of the missions of the Havre Fire Department is to provide protection to life and property in an expeditious and caring manner by utilizing a team of compassionate and highly trained individuals.
As Fire Chief, I have the privilege to serve this great historic community rich with tradition. I am honored to work alongside seventeen dedicated and talented Fire/EMS service professionals. The highly trained and professional Firefighters/EMT’s respond to close to 1,500 incidents annually, including structure fires, medical emergencies, car accidents, vehicle fires, hazardous material releases and wildland fires. In addition, our staff is ready to respond to emergencies on our waterways.
We exist as an organization for one purpose; to promote, protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of everyone in the community. The members of the Havre Fire Department embrace this core mission with the utmost compassion and respect for those they serve. Ensuring a safe community through education, prevention and emergency response is our organization’s highest priority and is reflected in the services and attitudes of the Havre Fire Department professionals every day. This agency’s administrative team is committed to providing the members of our department with the skills, equipment and training to provide services in a safe and effective manner.
We will continue to prepare for evolving threats to our citizens through current and timely training, public education and emergency response, utilizing the public’s funds in the most economical manner to meet the broad spectrum of possible emergency needs.
Fire Chief Nathan Courtnage
Past Chiefs
Jim A. Cowan 1969
Cortland Hilla 1974
Edward Waterman 1978
Richard Haberger 1979
Norman Maze 1985
Jim E. Cowan 1985
Jerry D. Benbrooks 1997
Michael F. Badgley 1999
Craig R. Ellingson 2001
Dave Sheppard 2014
Tim Hedges 2016
Mel Paulson 2022
Thomas N. West 1905
T.C. Richards 1905
C.B. McCulloh 1906
R.W. Gran 1907
W.B. Pyper 1909
C.H. Spengler 1910
Jacob Miller 1910
P.L. Hanley 1914
G.T. Worland 1918
George Dewar 1938
Lewis O. Anderson 1954
Jack Clark 1956
R. Lynn Kelly 1966
Fire/Rescue Services
Fire suppression 24 hours/day for the City of Havre and surrounding area
Special rescues including water, ice, and confined space
Hazardous materials response at operations level
Provide mutual aid to Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department, Wildhorse Rural Fire Department, and St. Joe Rural Fire Department along with other surrounding community fire departments
Maintain vehicles and equipment including daily, weekly, monthly, and annual checks
Grant writing to obtain vehicles, equipment, etc.
Public service calls (smoke detector malfunctions, carbon monoxide checks, sprinkler system malfunction, natural gas odors, etc.)
Fire hydrant inspections and testing (relates to ISO rating) Annual hose testing (relates to ISO ratings)
Annual pump testing (relates to ISO ratings)
Annual ladder testing
EMS Services
24-hour emergency ambulance service to the City of Havre and Hill County
Stand-by EMS provided for special events
Provide inter facility transfers throughout the region
Perform public assists
Provides mutual aid to surrounding areas
Maintain and perform daily, weekly, monthly, and annual checks on ambulances and ambulance equipment
Grant writing for EMS funding
Fire Prevention and Safety Services
Fire inspection of buildings, schools, and daycare centers
Instruct fire safety classes for the community
Fire station tours and visits
Burn Permits
Firework sale permits
Backyard fire pit regulations
Car seat installations
Home safety checks
Provide CPR/First Aid/AED classes
Job Opportunities
The Havre Fire Department coordinates with Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium for the purpose of selecting future candidates for employment. For further information on our selection process, hiring procedure or any other questions contact us at (406)265-6511 or email Nathan Courtnage, Fire Chief.