VAIL FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES

Mission: Prevent Loss, serve others, protect & enhance the quality of life

Vail Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) is an all-risk fire department providing fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, technical rescue and wildland fire mitigation services. Quality emergency services are an essential component of maintaining Vail’s status as North America’s premier mountain resort community.

Vail Fire and Emergency Services was established in 1964. During the first few years of operation, Vail Fire was an all volunteer department. Since then, it has transitioned into a full-time professional department, operating out of 3 fully-staffed fire stations, which are located in East Vail, Vail Village and West Vail. Vail Fire and Emergency Services serves a population of 5,300 residents, 4,400 part-time residents and an upwards of 20,000 guests daily during winter months. In 2015, Vail Fire and Emergency Services responded to 1724 calls for assistance including structure fires, EMS incidents, fire alarms, hazardous material incidents, utility issues, wildland fires, car accidents and technical rescues within the Town of Vail and along the I-70 corridor from mile marker 171 to 190. Vail Fire also employs a 6-person wildland mitigation team from May through October of each year.

Vail Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) also responds to several neighborhoods that are outside the incorporated limits of the Town of Vail as well as the Vail Mountain Resort. VFES also has an automatic and/or mutual-aid agreement with all fire districts in Eagle County and nine surrounding counties. The fire department has a total of 39 personnel, which includes 9 Resident Firefighters, 6 seasonal wildland Firefighters, a Wildland Mitigation Coordinator, a Fire Marshal, and part-time Administrative Assistant.

The Department currently operates four all-wheel drive type I engines, one 75' Aerial Quint, one 85' Tower Ladder, two type 6 wildland engines, three 4x4 utility trucks and one command vehicle.

Fire Chief Mark Novak has been with VFES since January 2015. He previously served as the Assistant Chief with the Tahoe Douglas Fire District in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Letter from the Chief

VALUES

• Virtue/Vision – With respect for tradition and an eye towards the future, we stand on a foundation of wisdom, courage, diligence and justice that informs our decision-making and guides our behavior.
• Family – Our actions and existence connect us as family to a noble cause. We treat others as we would our own.
• Ethical – With bravery and integrity, we are uncompromising in our efforts to do the right thing.
• Selfless service – We will sacrifice our comforts, our significance and ourselves to the service and well-being of others.

VISION

• Vail Fire will be recognized in our community and region for consistent rapid response using state of the art equipment and tactics. Vail Fire is committed to employee development. We will provide a supportive environment promoting physical and mental fitness that allows for growth and competence in the ever changing demands of the fire service. Vail Fire will strive to become a leader in interagency collaboration and partnership by providing necessary resources and sharing information.

Vail Fire and Emergency Services is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Wildlife Victoria Inc.