Fire Service Areas

The Board of County Commissioners may establish a fire service area within an unincorporated area not part of a rural fire district in the county to provide the services and equipment set forth in MCA 7-33-2402.

The BOCC appoints five qualified trustees to govern and manage the affairs of the area.  The term of office and procedures for nomination and election are the same as those provided for election of rural fire district trustees in MCA 7-33-2106.

The trustees have the authority to provide adequate and standard firefighting and emergency response apparatus, equipment, personnel, housing, and facilities, including real property and emergency medical services and equipment, for the protection of the district.

Fire Service Area Creation

Upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 30 owners of real property in the proposed service area, or by a majority of the owners of real property if there are no more than 30 owners of real property in the proposed service area, the Board shall pass a resolution of intent to form the area, with public notice as provided in MCA 7-1-2121; hold a public hearing no earlier than 30 or later than 90 days after passage of the resolution of intent; & Clark County; accept written protests from property owners of the area of the proposed area; and  receive general protests and comments relating to the establishment of the fire service area and its boundaries, rates, kinds, types, or levels of service, or any other matter relating to the proposed fire service area; and pass a resolution creating the fire service area. The area is created effective 60 days after passage of the resolution unless by that date more than 50% of the property owners of the proposed fire service area protest its creation.

Based on testimony received in the public hearing, the board in the resolution creating the fire service area may establish different boundaries, establish a different fee schedule than proposed, change the kinds, types, or levels of service, or change the manner in which the area will provide services to its residents.

Meetings

• Monthly (scheduled by the Rural Fire Council)

Contact Information:

Address: 316 N. Park Ave. Rm. 345, Helena, MT 59623
Phone:  406-447-8304
Fax:  406-447-8370
Email

________________, Exec. Assistant

Rita Cortright, Sec./Receptionist

Website

Visit the Rural Fire Council website.

Trustees