Arlee Volunteer Fire Department

09/25/2026

A bit late, but the Arlee Volunteer Fire and EMS Department thanks the following donors for their contributions to the Annual Pancake Breakfast.

These funds will allow the department to purchase 6-8 SCBAs, which are vital to our volunteers' health and safety.

Jocko Valley Lutheran Church
Tom and Bonnie Barger
Finley Creek Designs
Tara Sheridan
Heidi Schlieker
Roxane Rinard
Arlee Massage and Body Care Clinic
Roberta and Jim Steele
Forrest and Cara Machado
Lo**ta Hendrickson
Beth Christenson
Valley Bank of Arlee
CSKT Division of Fire
Scheels
Vance Homegun
Arlee Quilters
Tom Haynes
Glacier Brewing
Bob Doty
Rebecca Pierre
Karen Fisher
Pyromaniacs Fireworks
Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation
Arlee CDC
Rowan Wilson/Wilson Foods
Mountain Home Greenhouse
Roger Christopher
Albertsons
Republic Services
Jocko Valley Cattle
Glacier Lake Sand and Gravel
Uff Da Porta Potties
Ronan and Rod's Harvest Foods
Kampfire Steak House
Jill Ursua
Superior Meats
Liquid Planet
& the many community members and volunteers who helped organize from start to finish

Much appreciated, Chief Machado and the Board of Trustees.

If I missed adding your name to our donor list and you want to be recognized, please send a private message.

08/12/2026

Thanks to a local nomination, the Arlee Volunteer Fire Department has received an electrolyte packet donation from LMNT as part of their Give A Salt campaign. Included was a wide variety of flavors to suit everyone's tastes! We thank the community for your continued support and LMNT for this great donation to fuel our first responders.

07/21/2026

06/09/2026

Sharing again.

Hey Arlee, we are looking for donation items for our July 4th silent auction. Please message us or call/text the numbers on the flyer.

Thanks to all the past donors who have helped make every year a success. 🚒

05/29/2026

Hey Arlee, we are looking for donation items for our July 4th silent auction. Please message us or call/text the numbers on the flyer.

Thanks to all the past donors who have helped make every year a success. 🚒

05/06/2026

Electric Vehicles and Modern Extrication Challenges

Electric vehicles (EVs) are now common on roadways, introducing new challenges for the fire service—particularly those involving lithium-ion batteries. Unlike internal combustion engines, these batteries can burn hotter, re-ignite after suppression, and undergo delayed thermal runaway. Current guidance from the Montana Fire Services Training School recognizes that when no life hazard exists, isolating the vehicle and allowing the battery to burn out may be the safest option.
That approach changes when occupants are trapped. Firefighters must balance significant hazards with the core mission of life safety, conducting disciplined, time-limited extrications under rapidly changing conditions. Scene control, vehicle stabilization, and continuous monitoring for signs of battery involvement are critical. Water may be applied defensively to protect occupants and crews rather than to extinguish the battery itself. In EV incidents, the rescue window is compressed— “let it burn” applies only after rescue is complete.

Focused Training in Arlee
On May 2, 2026, Arlee Fire and EMS trained with instructors from the Montana Fire Services Training School on complex extrication scenarios. Emphasis was placed on speed, coordination, and decisive action. Crews identified window and door removal as the fastest access methods, progressing to advanced techniques when occupants were pinned by structural intrusion. Scenario-based training reinforced efficient tool use and adaptation to modern rescue time pressures.
This training reinforced a critical reality for modern responders: while technology continues to change the hazards we face, disciplined fundamentals, continuous training, and rapid ex*****on remain the keys to saving lives.