Company Profile
Williston Fire Department
Company Overview
The Williston Fire Department is a combination department that provides Fire and Advanced Life Support emergency medical services to the city of Williston, ND. The department also provides Advanced Life Support emergency medical services to approximately 1000 square miles surrounding the City in both Williams and McKenzie Counties. The Department is staffed by 78 career personnel and 30 volunteers.
Williston Fire Department is also a part of the statewide regional response network providing regional response capabilities in hazardous materials, and technical rescue specialties. The department currently operates out of three fire stations. As the department has grown over the last four years, many opportunities for training have arose. The department was proud to open its training ground in 2016 to meet those training needs. The Williston Fire Department is conducting their third fire academy on the new training grounds in 2019. The department has also taken the steps to become a training site for NAEMT and AHA courses and is now able to teach classes such as ACLS, PALS, CPR, PHTLS, TCCC, and others in house.
The Williston Fire Department is committed to providing the best services possible to the City of Williston and surrounding areas. The department continues to strive train and prepare for all hazards.This dedication is shown in the hours of training undertaken and being provided.
Company History
The Williston Fire Department was organized in 1889. In 1912 Mayor “Bud” Jackson help acquire a brand new factory-made hook and ladder truck. It was pulled by two horses, “Hook” and Barney”. That same year the city hosted its first North Dakota Firemen’s Association Convention. Since then Williston has hosted the convention many times.
When the department was first organized the major threat and concern for the area was wildfires. Both men and women, and many times sons and daughters served as firefighters to save crops, hay and farmstead. They were paid a $1.50 a day and if they used horses $2.50 or $3.00 for a team. 1889 was the same year the county commissioners appointed its first two fire wardens. Their job was to monitor and try to prevent fires or when fires did occur to organize firefighters and suppress it.
In 1912 a brand new factory made hook and ladder truck was purchased and was pulled by two horses, Hook and Barney. The horse drawn fire truck was retired in 1919 and was replaced by a motorized 500 gallon per minute truck. It was identified as Engine 1 and is still used and maintained by the department to this day for show only. The department grew to 12 volunteer firemen and a new fire chief. At the time the fire department was housed at what is now city hall on second street and First Avenue.
The department housed more than fire trucks. In 1941 an Iron Lung was purchased to help polio victims and it was decided that it would be housed at the fire department due to its location and availability to transport. That same year the department saved numerous houses and valuable property when lightning struck a house on Main Street and set it ablaze. With the help of its new 1930’s pumper the damage was kept to a minimum. Dr. Ashton has this truck on display, completely refurbished at the Hedrick’s building on Main Street.