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Further protection of our environment and the lives and property of citizens within the Whitefish Fire Service Area.
ABOUT US
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Whitefish Fire Service Area’s principal purpose shall be:
To provide or cause to be provided and ensure the proper fire protection and related services, for businesses, residences, and properties within the jurisdiction of the Fire Service Area boundaries.
To assist or cause to have assistance to other fire or emergency services-related organizations, districts, areas, or municipal organizations.
To do all things legally able to further the protection of life and property of the citizens within the Fire Area.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
1989
This the year that the Whitefish Fire Service Area was created by the Flathead County Commissioners and charged with overseeing fire protection for the area surrounding the Whitefish City Limits.
55,000
This is the number of acres included in the the Whitefish Fire Service Area. The WFSA stretches broadly across the northern Flathead Valley. It includes vast forests, residential neighborhoods, luxury homes, and much more.
3,200
This is the approximate number of residences inside the Whitefish Fire Service Area. This number is an estimate and fluctuates continuously as more structures are built.
HISTORY
This information is courtesy of the City of Whitefish.
Overview
The Whitefish Fire Service Area was created on 11/30/1989 by the Flathead County Commissioners with Resolution No. 745A. As a Montana Fire Service Area, the Whitefish Fire Service Area assessed a fee for fire protection based on per residential structure and contracted with the City of Whitefish Fire Department to provide fire protection to the rural areas.
The Whitefish Fire Service Area includes approximately 86 square miles, or 55,000 acres, of unincorporated land surrounding the City of Whitefish.
Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Fire Service Area is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees that serve three-year terms of office, per the Montana Code Annotated (MCA - Title 7 Local Government, Chapter 33 Fire Protection, Part 24 Fire Service Areas).
The current Board of Trustees for the Whitefish Fire Service Area are:
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Jim Dyon – term expires 5/31/2024
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Ed McGrew – term expires 5/31/2024
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Mark Carlson - term expires 5/31/2025
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Thomas Moran - term expires 5/31/2025
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Dave Kauffman - term expires 5/31/2026
Trustee Elections
Trustee elections must be conducted in accordance with Title 13, Chapter 1, Part 5, MCA.
The candidate filing deadline for a Special District election is no sooner than 145 days and no later than 85 days before the election. Special District elections are held on the same day as the regular school elections. Special District elections are usually held on the first Tuesday in May. Check the Flathead County website for the official date.
In order to be considered for a position on this Board, candidates must be an elector (an individual qualified to vote under state law) who resides in the Whitefish Fire Service Area or any holder of title to lands within the Whitefish Fire Service Area who presents proof of payment of taxes on those lands.
If there is only one candidate for a single position, the election will be canceled, and the candidate elected by acclamation by the Flathead County Commissioners. If there are no candidates for a position, the election will be canceled, and the County Commissioners shall fill that position by appointment until the next election cycle.
For more information on the election process, please contact the Flathead County Election Office at (406) 758-5535.
Whitefish Fire Service Area Meetings
The Whitefish Fire Service Area Board of Trustees meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Fire Station #22, located on the corner of Whitefish Stage Road and Hodgson Road in Whitefish, Montana.
BYLAWS AND BUDGETS
Available for Download
ELECTION INFORMATION
Elections for vacant trustee seats are held in the spring by Flathead County. The next election will be held on May 3, 2022. If you will not be in Whitefish during the election, you can request an absentee ballot by filling out the form below and submitting it to:
Flathead County Election Department
40 11th Street West, Suite 230
Kalispell, MT 59901
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