Boise Fire Department

10/15/2026

A successful rescue thanks to an Idaho Army National Guard helicopter crew and Boise Fire’s own Senior Firefighter Kevin O’Donnell. Nice work, team!

An Idaho Army National Guard helicopter crew hoisted two stranded hikers from a mountainside at roughly 9,000 feet near Stanley, Idaho, Oct. 9, after ground search teams were unable to reach them.

The hikers had run out of food and water and were too exhausted to walk out. Custer County Search and Rescue requested a hoist-capable aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and the Idaho Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Boise accepted the mission.

“We’re very lucky to be able to execute these missions in support of both our interagency partners and our community overall,” said Capt. Kate Smith, the pilot in command of the mission. “Many of us joined the organization to help people, and this allows us to leverage our military skill set to do just that.”

The crew, accompanied by Boise Fire Department Senior Firefighter Kevin O’Donnell, located the hikers within minutes of arriving. They hoisted both hikers into the aircraft and transported them to Stanley Airport, where an ambulance and the Custer County Sheriff’s Department met them.

For Chief Warrant Officer 2 Logan Lusk, Staff Sgt. Justin Rhodes and O’Donnell, the operation was their first live search-and-rescue mission together.

“We train for years not knowing if or when we’ll be needed, but Friday was the day for our team,” Smith said. “They did an excellent job.”

The rescue team included Smith, Lusk, Rhodes, Staff Sgt. Brad Stock and O’Donnell.

The Idaho Army National Guard supports civil authorities with aviation search-and-rescue capabilities, including hoist operations, when life, limb or eyesight is at risk. Requests are coordinated through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center by local agencies, including county sheriffs and search-and-rescue teams.

10/14/2026

Additional staffing is coming to three more Boise Fire Stations thanks to a $2.3 million federal grant awarded to BFD in September.
The three stations selected for four-person staffing are:
• Station 5 (Engine 5): 212 S. 16th Street, Downtown Boise
• Station 14 (Engine 14): 2515 S. Five Mile Road, Southwest Boise
• Station 6 (Engine 6): 6933 W. Franklin Road, Boise Bench
This is another step toward Boise Fire’s long-term goal of making four-person staffing the standard across our department. Four-person staffing is already in place at Stations 13 and 15.

You can read more about the changes in our latest news release at https://www.cityofboise.org/news/fire/2026/october/boise-fire-announces-three-stations-selected-for-expanded-staffing/

10/12/2026

Using a wheeled rescue litter, a rope system, and specialized off-road vehicles, Boise Fire helped rescue an injured mountain biker in the foothills Friday. Ada County Paramedics first responded to the crash on a trail near Sunset Peak Road and due to the remote location and challenging terrain, they requested assistance from Boise Fire. The patient was secured in the wheeled litter and carefully moved up the steep hillside using a rope-assisted rescue system. Crews continued transporting the patient in the litter all the way to the waiting ambulance. This incident demonstrates the strong coordination between Boise Fire and Ada County Paramedics in safely rescuing patients from difficult-to-access areas of the Boise Foothills.

Shout out to Boise Fire units E1, BC1, and TEC7 and ACP units EMS20 and M17.

10/10/2026

🚒 Thanks to everyone who stopped by our station open houses today!

We loved welcoming community members to Stations 13, 15 and 17, giving families a behind-the-scenes look at the fire stations, and answering questions about what we do.

Thanks for spending part of your Saturday with Boise Fire! ❤️

10/07/2026

At approximately 3 p.m. on October 7, 2026, Boise firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire in the 2600 block of W. Ponderosa Road. When firefighters arrived, they found a home on fire and immediately initiated a search while attacking the fire from inside the home. Additional crews performed ventilation and attacked the fire from outside.
 
Multiple units responded, including Engines 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12, Ladder 5, Truck 7, Battalions 1 and 3, and a safety officer. Ada County Paramedics also responded. No one was inside when crews responded and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Boise Fire Burnout Fund was requested to assist displaced residents.

10/07/2026

At approximately 3:30 p.m., on October 6, 2026, Boise firefighters responded to reports of a house fire on the 3600 block of North Tamarack Drive. When crews arrived, they found heavy fire coming from three sides of the home.
 
Firefighters quickly searched the home and then attacked the fire from both inside and outside the house while other firefighters performed rooftop ventilation. Fortunately, crews were able to put out the fire. Firefighters remained on the scene to extinguish hot spots. There were no injuries reported and no one in the home at the time of the fire.
 
Multiple units responded, including Truck 4, Ladder 5, Engines 1, 5, 6, 9, 13, and 16, Battalion 2, and Rehab 6. Boise Police, Ada County Paramedics and Eagle Fire also responded to the call. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

10/05/2026

It’s Fire Prevention Week, and we’re focusing on lithium-ion battery safety. 🔋🔥

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices, including phones, laptops, vapes, vacuums, e-bikes and more. When these batteries are damaged, overheated, improperly charged or incorrectly stored, they can start fast-moving fires that burn extremely hot and are difficult to extinguish.

Follow these tips to help protect yourself, your family, your community and responding firefighters:

1. Never use or charge a damaged battery.

2. Charge devices on a hard, noncombustible surface.

3. Charge larger devices, such as e-bikes, outside and away from structures when possible.

4. Use the charger and equipment designed for your device.

5. Stop using a battery if it becomes unusually hot, swollen, cracked or leaking.

6. Recycle lithium-ion batteries responsibly at one of Boise’s Household Hazardous Waste collection sites.

7. Never place lithium-ion batteries in your regular trash or recycling bin.

10/02/2026

Veterans and first responders teamed up for the third annual Police vs. Fire co****le tournament at the Idaho State Veterans Home. For the second year in a row, the Fire Department and Veteran team took home the trophy. 🏆

But it was a battle to the very end, with players pulling out all the stops in the final round.

Judges praised all the players for their good sportsmanship and minimal trash talk!

Well done to everyone! 🌽🚓🚒

10/02/2026

In the third annual Boise Police vs. Fire co****le tournament at the Idaho State Veterans Home, Boise Fire and their veteran teammates took home the gold for the second year in a row!

The veterans showcased impressive technique, finesse, and focus, helping their teams advance through the rounds.

Great work by everyone! It was a fantastic afternoon filled with laughter, smiles, and plenty of bragging rights. 🏆

10/01/2026

October is Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month.

Chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are less than 10%. But with bystander intervention, there’s hope.

Learn CPR. Save a life. ❤️