About Our District

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our goal is to save, serve, and protect our fellow citizens and community with efficiency and compassion.

HISTORY OF KVFR:

After approval by the voters, KITTITAS VALLEY FIRE & RESCUE became operational January 1, 2007. KVF&R was the blending of two very active fire jurisdictions - City of Ellensburg Fire Department and Kittitas County Fire District #2. Both jurisdictions have a long and cooperative history in the lower Kittitas Valley.

Kittitas County Fire District #2 Board of Commissioners and Ellensburg City Council authorized a Citizen’s Advisory Committee in 2005 to explore the options of merging the two fire jurisdictions. Citing the benefits of eliminating duplication of services and the ability to provide the communities involved with a more effective utilization of equipment and staff, the Committee recommended in their report that City of Ellensburg annex into Kittitas County Fire District #2 for emergency response services.

Providing fire control and rescue, ALS ambulance transport, fire prevention and investigation, KVF&R services approximately 270 square miles with a population of about 24,000. The area covered is a mixture of urban, suburban, rural, and wild land interface. Strategically located throughout the District, nine volunteer company stations with approximately 60 volunteer firefighters respond to fires, motor vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. Two stations are fully staffed twenty-four hours every day to respond to all emergency dispatches. The District shares boundaries and responds with mutual aid to US Forestry Service (USFS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Military as well as City of Kittitas and Kittitas County Fire District #1.

KVF&R also provides services to the Central Washington University campus with a student population of about 13,000. Utilizing classroom presentations and station tours, the Prevention and Education Division educates school children every year in the Ellensburg School District and Dammon School District, which includes four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

In addition to fire suppression, investigation, rescue, prevention and safety education, all areas of the District and Hospital District #1 are covered by qualified paramedic firefighters, who respond to all emergency medical incidents. Advanced life-support techniques are performed to stabilize victims and if needed, immediate transportation to Kittitas Valley Community Hospital or outside the area hospitals. The Paramedics, EMT’s, and First Responders are highly trained and must continually educate themselves in the techniques, dangers, and ever changing technologies within the scope of the services that they provide.

KVF&R is proud to be an active partner with the CWU Dorothy Purser Paramedic Program in providing paramedic students the opportunity to ride-along with the ambulance units. They are afforded first-hand experience to medical incidents and the opportunity to observe and assist with patient care.

KVF&R staff and volunteers look forward to the opportunity to provide professional and effective service to the community as it grows.