Vail Fire and Emergency Services
Contact: Vail Fire Department, 970-479-2250
The Vail Fire Department contains six divisions, including:
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
The fire prevention division is responsible for enforcement of the fire code, town ordinances and Colorado state statutes. The division personnel serve on the town staff development review team and conduct plan reviews for developments and remodels. The division's primary focus is fire investigation; arson investigation; instructing public education programs; acting as public information officers at incidents; and performing tests and inspections of fire extinguishing, fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Other tasks include internal maintenance of the fire stations, apparatus and equipment, as well as continued training and recertification of all fire department personnel.
FIRE SUPPRESSION DIVISION
The fire suppression division is responsible for containment and extinguishment of structural fires, wildland fires, vehicle fires, hazardous waste materials incidents, vehicle accident extrication, complex rescues and mitigation of all property or life-threatening situations within the town and outside areas of Eagle County, when requested by another agency.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Emergency medical services respond to all life-threatening emergencies to help stabilize the sick and injured in the field with support form the Eagle County Ambulance District. Every Vail firefighter is a certified emergency medical technician in Colorado and trained to administer basic cardiac care, extricate victims from entrapments and perform rescue procedures.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
The hazardous materials response team is activated when rapid intervention, containment and mitigation of accidental spills or leaks of chemicals and substances are required. Decontamination and protection of personnel are important procedures performed by this team, providing essential guidance, chemical safety and functional supervision for responding personnel and others involved in an incident.
WILDLAND FIRE
The wildland fire response team assures that uncontrolled fires in the surrounding forested areas do not burn within or into the Town of Vail. The team evaluates the fire threat, initiates attack and attempts to protect homes built on the hillsides when threatened by fire. Fire Department personnel participate on the countywide wildfire suppression team and aid in sending equipment and personnel to assist other agencies when requested.
WHITEWATER RESCUE
The whitewater rescue team responds to any whitewater emergency downstream from the Black Gore Creek at the bottom of Vail Pass, along Gore Creek from East Vail to the confluence of the Eagle River.
