10 Stations, 4,800 Square Miles: The Critical Role Of Campbell County Fire Department In Gillette, WY

The Campbell County Fire Department (CCFD) in Gillette, Wyoming, stands as a critical pillar of public safety across the vast expanse of Campbell County. As of late 2025, the department continues its mission to protect over 4,800 square miles, encompassing the City of Gillette, the Town of Wright, and the extensive unincorporated areas of the county. This unique structure, operating under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), ensures a unified and highly coordinated response to structural fires, wildland incidents, technical rescues, and life-threatening medical emergencies, making it one of the most comprehensive fire services in the region. The CCFD is not merely a collection of fire trucks and stations; it is a complex, modern organization defined by its extensive network of facilities, dedicated career and volunteer staff, and a commitment to utilizing the latest technology and training. Its strategic placement of 10 structural fire stations, coupled with rural wildland support, allows for rapid deployment across a region known for its energy industry and challenging terrain.

The Leadership and Operational Structure of CCFD

The Campbell County Fire Department operates under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between Campbell County and the City of Gillette, which is overseen by the Joint Powers Fire Board. This cooperative model ensures efficient resource allocation and a seamless emergency response across municipal and county lines. This foundational structure is key to the department’s ability to cover its enormous service area.

Key Personnel and Command Staff

The department is led by a dedicated command staff responsible for strategic planning, daily operations, and long-term community safety initiatives.

• Fire Chief: Jeff Bender. Chief Bender leads the entire department, overseeing all divisions and operations, and ensuring the CCFD maintains its high standard of service across its vast jurisdiction.
• Deputy Chief: J.R. Fox. The Deputy Chief plays a crucial role in managing operational readiness and supporting the Fire Chief in administrative and emergency management duties.
• Fire Marshal: Stuart Burnham. The Fire Marshal is responsible for fire prevention, investigations, public education, and enforcing fire codes to enhance community safety.
• Battalion Chiefs: The department utilizes a rotating shift structure, often managed by Battalion Chiefs like Ryan Fox, who ensure operational efficiency and command major incidents on a 24/7 basis.

This command structure, supported by a mix of full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters, allows the department to maintain staffing at its busiest stations, including Station 1, Station 3 (in Gillette), and Station 9 (in Wright).

CCFD's Extensive Network: The 10 Structural Fire Stations

The sheer size of Campbell County necessitates a distributed network of fire stations. The CCFD’s 10 structural stations are strategically placed to minimize response times, which is a critical factor in saving lives and property. This widespread deployment is a testament to the department’s dedication to serving both the urban centers and the remote areas of the county.

A Closer Look at Key Stations

The department's operational hub is located in Gillette, with several stations staffed around the clock to handle the majority of emergency calls in the county's largest population center.

• Station #1 (Administrative Headquarters): Located at 106 Rohan Avenue, Gillette, WY 82716, this station serves as the heart of the department, housing administrative staff, command personnel, and apparatus for immediate response.
• Station #2: Located at 917 East Warlow Drive, Gillette, this station is another key component of the Gillette response network, ensuring coverage for the eastern parts of the city.
• Station #3: Situated at 3 Wenger Drive, Gillette, this station is one of the three full-time staffed stations, providing continuous coverage in a rapidly developing area.
• Station #9 (Wright): This station, located in the Town of Wright, is essential for providing full-time coverage to the southern and western portions of the county, particularly those involved in the energy sector.
• Station #10: Located at 87 Patrick Henry, this station helps round out the comprehensive coverage model, supporting the full-time stations and providing a base for volunteer and on-call personnel.

The remaining stations are strategically utilized on an as-needed basis, often staffed by the department's highly trained volunteer firefighters who are dispatched when incidents occur near their locations.

Recent Updates and Modernization: Ensuring a 2025-Ready Force

Maintaining a modern and effective fire department in a dynamic environment like Campbell County requires continuous investment in personnel, training, and apparatus. The CCFD has made significant strides in recent years to modernize its fleet and enhance its community engagement programs.

Apparatus and Equipment Upgrades

To handle the unique challenges of Campbell County—from urban structure fires to massive wildland blazes—the CCFD is committed to operating a cutting-edge fleet. * New Apparatus Acquisition: The department has finalized plans for the addition of specialized vehicles to its fleet, including two SVI Type 3 apparatus. These Type 3 engines are crucial for wildland firefighting operations, providing a balance of water-carrying capacity and off-road mobility to tackle the numerous brush and range fires common in Wyoming. * Medium Rescue Capability: The acquisition of a Medium Rescue Apparatus, such as the #1203 unit, significantly boosts the department’s ability to handle technical rescue incidents, including vehicle extrications, high-angle rescues, and specialized recovery operations. * Financial Backing: The department's operational strength is supported by local funding mechanisms, including the 1% Fund, which is anticipated to allocate over $26 million for various services, including the Campbell County Fire Department, in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This stable funding is vital for maintaining the department's 10 stations and continuously updating equipment.

Community and Personnel Initiatives in 2025

The CCFD actively recruits and trains personnel to maintain its operational readiness, with recent job announcements for positions like Part-Time Firefighter running into the latter half of 2025. Beyond personnel, the department fosters strong community ties through specialized programs: * Community Connect: This online program allows residents to provide essential information about their homes or businesses to the CCFD before an emergency occurs. This data—such as the location of utility shut-offs, key contacts, and residents with special needs—is invaluable to first responders, saving precious minutes during a crisis. * Emergency Management Advisories: The department manages an advanced notification program that allows residents to opt-in for advisories and notifications regarding local emergencies, ensuring the public is kept informed during critical events like the Silver Spoon Fire or other major incidents. * Training Center Utilization: The CCFD operates a state-of-the-art training center that is not only used for internal firefighter and officer development but also hosts regional and national courses, solidifying Gillette's role as a regional center for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery training. The Campbell County Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Jeff Bender, remains a robust and forward-thinking organization. By leveraging its 10-station network, investing in modern apparatus, and prioritizing community engagement, the CCFD is well-equipped to meet the diverse and demanding emergency response needs of Gillette, Wright, and all of Campbell County for years to come.

Detail Author:

• Name : Ivy Collins IV
• Username : snitzsche
• Email : alec.beahan@murphy.biz
• Birthdate : 1999-01-01
• Address : 547 Walter Turnpike Suite 697 West Luigishire, WI 06103
• Phone : 949-229-5812
• Company : Reynolds and Sons
• Job : Aircraft Assembler
• Bio : Autem est beatae ea distinctio aperiam est unde. Magni blanditiis ut aliquid et et fuga. Et itaque aut sequi nemo.

Socials

twitter:

• url : https://twitter.com/claudine_xx
• username : claudine_xx
• bio : Ad neque saepe consequuntur. Error consequatur temporibus nostrum tenetur sint voluptas exercitationem.
• followers : 6659
• following : 2343

instagram:

• url : https://instagram.com/predovicc
• username : predovicc
• bio : Fugit earum est quam nisi. Voluptatem inventore voluptas illo aut eligendi.
• followers : 451
• following : 1371

linkedin:

• url : https://linkedin.com/in/cpredovic
• username : cpredovic
• bio : Facere nulla asperiores repellendus reiciendis.
• followers : 1115
• following : 543