Brundage Creates Its Own Fire Department,

Brundage Mountain Resort is making big investments to ensure the safety and well-being of people spending time on and around the mountain resort. The independently owned resort is creating its own fire department and expanding the EMS services based at the mountain.

A newly established fire department, the Brundage Mountain Fire Protection Association, is set to provide service starting September 1, 2024. The BMFPA hired a fire chief this spring, acquired a fire truck earlier this summer, recruited 14 volunteer trainees, and completed their initial firefighter training. The crew is ready to provide essential fire protection services to the Brundage Mountain community.

The fire truck and other equipment is currently housed in existing buildings at the resort. Construction on a dedicated Fire Station facility is set to begin this fall. Ultimately, the Fire Station will house equipment, provide training space, and serve as the operational hub for fire protection efforts.

The newly trained Brundage firefighters will have a larger and more accessible water supply at their disposal. A new 435,000-gallon water tank is scheduled to be online this fall. It has a 180,000-gallon fire suppression reservoir. The tank is part of a system that includes a hydrant beside each new building in the ski resort’s base area.

New Transport Service from Brundage Mountain Emergency Medical Services (BMEMS)
Brundage Mountain has operated its own state-licensed EMS agency since the Brundage Mountain Patrol earned that designation in 2021. Soon, the EMS team will also be able to provide EMS transport services originating at Brundage Mountain while the resort is open.

BMEMS was previously licensed as a non-transport EMS agency and has now applied for state licensing as transport EMS agency. Brundage has purchased an ambulance and is outfitting it with the necessary equipment. Brundage expects to have all the pieces in place to offer EMS Transport services by the start of the 2024-25 ski season.

“Having an ambulance at Brundage will enable patients needing transport to reach the Emergency Room much faster,” says Janna Allen, Brundage Patrol & EMS Director. “More importantly, we’re excited to provide continuity of care for our patients by transferring care from our on-mountain EMS providers directly to ER physicians.”

The Brundage Mountain EMS is also excited to welcome Dr. Andrew Narver as its new Medical Director. Narver replaces Dr. Gregory Irvine in this position and will oversee all EMS operations and ensure the highest level of care.

Brundage Mountain has been working to establish an independent fire protection agency and independent EMS transport services since a change in Idaho State code prevented it from extending its service agreement with McCall Fire & EMS. After exploring several options, Brundage Mountain management determined that funding and operating these two agencies independently was the best way to ensure prompt response times, excellent service, and the security of everyone who visits or resides in the Brundage Mountain community.

“When it comes to the safety and health of our team and our guests, we’re not willing to take any chances,” says Brundage Mountain General Manager Ken Rider. “Creating and enhancing our own independent agencies means we can relieve some stress from the EMS and emergency systems in Meadows Valley and Valley County while ensuring we have exceptional emergency response coverage at Brundage Mountain.”