How our system works

The Hyalite Fire District is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, accountable to the taxpayers of the district. The Board oversees the Fire Chief, who leads the department along with the Assistant Fire Chief and our Division Chiefs. On the operations side, Captains and Lieutenants provide crew leadership and incident command, supported by our Driver/Operators, EMTs, and Firefighters.

Firefighter Positions

Every member starts in the same place and has the opportunity to grow:

• Recruit Firefighter: New members complete the Recruit Academy (approximately 250 hours of initial training). 
• Apprentice Firefighter: After graduating the academy, apprentices spend their next year responding to calls and completing the requirements to earn their rank.
• Firefighter: Once those requirements are met, members are promoted to Firefighter and can pursue advanced certifications and specialty roles.
• Driver/Operator: Firefighters can qualify to drive and operate the district's apparatus, getting crews and equipment safely to the scene and running pumps and tools once there.
• Lieutenant: Lieutenants lead crews on scene and in the station, mentoring newer members and providing initial incident command.
• Captain: Captains provide senior crew leadership and comprehensive incident command, and help guide the training and development of the members they lead.

Promotion to Lieutenant and Captain is merit-based and competency-driven. Qualified members in good standing can apply to promotional academies offered each year, followed by a probationary period before being recognized in their new rank.

Ways to Serve

Our volunteers serve in two ways:

• Resident firefighters live at our Sourdough, Cottonwood, and Rae stations and staff shifts in exchange for room and board, providing the fast response our community relies on.
• Non-resident volunteers live in the community and respond to calls, staff shifts, attend training, and support community events.

What we expect of each other

Our members hold themselves to a high standard. We tell the truth, work safely, look out for one another, support our community, and constantly strive to improve. We believe in earning the right to belong, earning the public's trust, and balancing confidence in our craft with humility and compassion.

Supporting our volunteers

Hyalite takes care of the people who take care of our community. Volunteers receive:

• Accident and disability insurance at no cost, plus workers' compensation coverage
• Eligibility for the Montana State Volunteer Firefighter Retirement System
• Uniforms, turnouts, and all required equipment
• Training and certifications, from Firefighter 1 through officer development
• Shift meal per diem and fuel mileage reimbursement for non-resident volunteers
• Per-call stipends for eligible resident firefighters