The City of Bellingham Fire Department operates out of six fire stations, staffing six fire engines, one ladder truck, one battalion chief, and two medic units. Additionally, we provide countywide paramedic transport service augmented by two medic units located in two county locations. All of our operations personnel are career firefighter/emergency medical technicians. Approximately one third of these personnel are also trained to the advanced life support-paramedic level.
Our fire and paramedic personnel work are split into three 24 hour shifts, providing 24/7 emergency response coverage with 30 on duty personnel each day. When a building fire is reported, we initially respond with four engines, one ladder truck, one battalion chief and one medic unit. Additional units, including mutual aid from other fire agencies outside the city, can be called in to assist if the situation cannot be contained by the initial responding crews.
Bellingham fire engine crews also perform basic life support (BLS) medical care and ambulance transport if necessary in the city limits.
We provide specialized fire and rescue response with our technical rescue team and fire boat response. We also participate in the countywide hazardous materials response program – known as the Specialized Emergency Response Program (SERP).
