Libby Volunteer Fire Department

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1911

Who we are & what we do

Our Locations

  • Station 1: 119 East 6th Street
  • Station 2: 180 River Run Lane
  • Station 3: 38137 US Hwy 2 S
  • Station 4: 94 Bobtail Road

Contact Us

  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 796
  • Phone: 406-293-9217
  • Fax: 406-293-3219
  • Email Us
  • LVFD Facebook Page

A Fireman's Prayer...

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late,
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor
And protect their property.
And if according to your will
I should lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
  - Author Unknown

Make a Difference

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter? If so, please call or email us to learn more and make arrangements to pick up an application and information packet. You do not need prior firefighting or emergency services experience to become a volunteer firefighter with the LVFD. What you do need is dedication and commitment; a profound passion to serve; and be willing to protect the lives and property of those around you.

Libby Volunteer Fire Department Logo
Libby Volunteer Fire Department
Proudly Serving the Community Since 1911

The Libby Volunteer Fire Department holds a special place in the history of the City of Libby, Montana. It all began on the fateful day of Thursday, February 4, 1909, at 4:45am. A catastrophic blaze destroyed Dr. R. Sailey′s Drug Store, the Geiger Building owned by John H. Geiger, the Switzer Building owned by Thomas Switzer, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Sanders. Thankfully, all lives were spared, but the monetary loss was reported to have been between seven and ten thousand dollars – a significant fortune in those days. Two years later, a group of concerned citizens met on May 11, 1911, and named Chief W.S. Megquier and Assistant Chief John Kuklinski as a committee to constructively engage key members to form a competent fire department. The following week, on May 18, 1911, a second meeting was held to complete the development of the formal organization. When all was said and done, the City of Libby finally had a fire department.

In its first year, a total of 10 brave young men manned the fire lines alone. Today, the fire department’s roster is well over 30 active volunteers, all being part of a total in excess of 350 dedicated individuals that have proudly worn the emblem of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department over the past 100 years.

1914 Libby Fire Department Womens Auxiliary PhotoPrior to 1914, in the event of an emergency, a delivery boy was paid $5.00 to get to the fire hall first to haul the department’s only hose cart to the fire scene. That all changed when the Libby Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary took up a collection to buy this chain-driven Willys truck.
1914 chain-driven Willys Truck PhotoThis is the Willys truck, seen here with Chief W.S. Megquier and William Kemp, that was purchased with funds raised by the LVFD Women’s Auxiliary. This utility truck, which was acquired in 1914, was used for about nine years until it was replaced by a Ford Model T truck in 1923.
Hand Powered Pump on Horse Drawn Water Wagon PhotoThe steel horse-drawn water wagon was used by the Libby Volunteer Fire Department in its early days of firefighting. The attached hand-powered fire pump was the department’s only means of extinguishing fires.
Libby Volunteer Fire Department First Water Wagon PhotoThe department’s first water wagon toted several buckets with rounded bottoms. The rounded bottoms, as theory has it, served many purposes. One was to discourage firefighters from setting them down in order to keep the water moving. Another theory states that the unconventionally shaped buckets acted as means of theft prevention.
Libby Volunteer Fire Department Chiefs

Beginning with W.S. Megquier in 1911, the following men have served as LVFD Fire Chiefs since that time. Combined, they have delivered over 100 years of unwavering dedication and dynamic leadership providing efficient, professional operation of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department while continually promoting positive public relations.

W.S. Megquier 1911 - 1916
William H. Kemp 1917 - 1930
A.M. Hoffman 1931 - 1938
George Wood 1939 - 1952
Walter Kemp 1953
R.J. Brown 1954 - 1956
Ernest Wood 1957 - 1964
Bill Dorrington 1965 - 1971
Robert Chapman - 1972
Chauncey Sauer 1973 - 1979
Jim Davidson 1980 - 1985
Bill Kemp 1986 - 1992
Ken Preston 1993 - 1994
Tom Wood 1995 - 2021
Steve Lauer 2022 - Present