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Moorhead Fire Department

Established in 1917, the Moorhead Fire Department provides a wide range of emergency and community services. With an ISO Rating of 3, our department is committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Core Services

Fire Suppression, Prevention & Investigation

All firefighters are internationally certified and professionally licensed.
Two fire engines are always on duty. For residential and larger fires, off-duty personnel are recalled and mutual aid is requested from neighboring departments in Clay and Cass counties, and beyond if needed.
Fire prevention efforts include annual inspections of all rental properties and youth fire safety education.
Fire investigations are legally mandated. Trained investigators work with law enforcement and the State Fire Marshal Division.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

All staff are nationally registered and state-licensed EMTs; some are Paramedics.
We respond to serious medical emergencies alongside ambulances to provide early and effective care.

Technical Rescue

Services include rope rescue, confined space rescue, high/low angle rescue, water and ice rescue, and vehicle/machinery extrication.

Hazardous Materials Response

In partnership with the State of Minnesota, we provide hazmat response across a 13-county region in northwestern Minnesota.

Other Services

Code enforcement
Pre-fire planning
Hydrant maintenance
Emergency management
Disaster response and life/property conservation

Community Programs

Public Education

Fire safety presentations
Station tours
Fire drills
Public service announcements

Community Risk Reduction

Annual rental inspections
Youth education
Fire code enforcement

Emergency Management

City-wide disaster preparedness and response coordination

Honor Guard & Air Support

Representing the department at ceremonial events and providing aerial support with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Staffing

Uniformed Personnel: 38
Administrative Staff: 1 Program Assistant
Leadership & Support Roles:

24 Firefighters
6 Captains
3 Battalion Chiefs
1 Community Risk Reduction & Training Coordinator
1 Assistant Fire Marshal
1 Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction
1 Deputy Fire Chief of Operations
1 Fire Chief

All staff are full-time and available for recall during major incidents.

Facilities & Equipment

Station 1

111 12 St N, Moorhead, MN 56560
218.299.5298

Built in 1973, includes 3 double-length bays and living quarters for 4–7 personnel
Equipment: Engine 1, Engine 11, Rescue 1, Ladder 1, Command Pickup (900), Aluminum Rescue Boat
Connected Facility: Remley Annex

Station 2

2413 20 St S, Moorhead, MN 56560
218.299.5298

Built in 1971, includes 4 apparatus bays and living quarters for 4 personnel
Equipment: Engine 2, Engine 22, Rescue 2, Haz-Mat 41, Zodiak Rescue Boat, Bobcat

Remley Annex (Administration)

111 12 St N, Moorhead, MN 56560
218.299.5298

Built in 1983, houses administrative offices
Equipment:

Chief 1 (Fire Chief)
Chief 2 (Deputy Fire Chief)
Chief 4 (Fire Marshal/Emergency Manager)
Lieutenant 1 (Assistant Fire Marshal)
Haz-Mat Training Trailer
Haz-Mat Suburban & Pickup
Technical Rescue Trailer
Fire Prevention & Investigation Trailer
Portable Water Tank Trailer
Bobcat

Fleet Overview

2 Front-Line Engines
2 Standby Engines
1 Aerial Ladder Truck
2 Rescue/EMS Units
1 Hazmat Truck & Trailer (MN Dept. of Public Safety)
1 Command Pickup
6 Administrative/Support Vehicles
2 Rescue Boats
2 Utility Trailers
1 Portable Water Tank Trailer (Clay County)
1 Haz-Mat Training Trailer (MN Dept. of Public Safety)
2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

Department History

The Moorhead Fire Department traces its roots to 1872, when 37 volunteers formed the city’s first fire brigade. Over the next few decades, the Eagle Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company were established, operating hand-drawn and later horse-drawn equipment.

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In 1917, the two companies merged to form the Moorhead Fire Department. A year later, a suspicious fire destroyed the original station, prompting the purchase of the department’s first motorized fire truck.

Key milestones include:

1953: Creation of the Fire Prevention Bureau
1971: Opening of the Southside Station
1973: Headquarters relocated due to train-blocked crossings during a fatal fire
1983: Administrative annex added to support growing responsibilities
2008–2009: Six firefighters hired to support future expansion, though plans were paused due to slowed city growth

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