Billings Fire Department

09/03/2026

The Billings Fire Department would like to congratulate Cassie on an incredible milestone-35 years of dedicated service with the Billings 911 Communications Center. Cassie began her career on September 3, 1991—35 years ago today!

When Cassie first started dispatching, the 911 Center was located in the concrete bunker behind Fire Station #1—and believe it or not, they didn’t even get windows until 1998! Back then, dispatchers wrote reports by hand and relied on wall maps to determine jurisdictional boundaries. There were no CAD maps at the click of a button or modern technology at their fingertips—just knowledge, experience, quick thinking, and a wall map.

Being a 911 dispatcher is no easy job. It means remaining calm when someone else is experiencing their worst moment, making critical decisions under pressure, and carrying the stress and responsibility that comes with being the voice on the other end of the line. To dedicate 35 years to that kind of service is truly something special.

Congratulations, Cassie, on 35 incredible years of service! Thank you for the countless lives you’ve impacted, the first responders you’ve supported, and the dedication you’ve shown to our community throughout your career.

09/01/2026

THE CITY OF BILLINGS IS SEARCHING FOR ITS NEXT FIRE CHIEF

This is more than a leadership position. It’s an opportunity to lead a proud, progressive fire department serving Montana’s largest city — and to help shape the future of emergency services in a community that continues to grow.

The Billings Fire Department is a full-service, all-hazards organization providing fire suppression, advanced life support EMS, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, community risk reduction, and emergency communications. Our department is built on a strong foundation of service, professionalism, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our community.

Now, we’re looking for the leader who will take us forward.

Our next Fire Chief will be a strategic thinker, a relationship builder, and an experienced fire service leader who understands that exceptional departments are built by investing in their people, strengthening organizational culture, embracing innovation, and never losing sight of the community we serve.

With continued investments in staffing, stations, technology, EMS, emergency communications, fleet, and facilities, this is an exciting time to lead the Billings Fire Department.

Are you ready to lead what comes next?

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

08/31/2026

After more than 26 years of dedicated service, Assistant Chief of Operations Kevin Bentz has been selected to serve as Interim Fire Chief of the Billings Fire Department!

Chief Bentz has spent more than two and a half decades serving this department, its members, and the Billings community. Throughout his career, he has earned the respect of those around him through his experience, leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the fire service.

He knows this department. He knows our people. He knows our community. And now, he will lead Billings Fire into its next chapter.

Stepping into the role of Fire Chief is no small responsibility, and we are incredibly proud to see one of our own take the helm. Chief Bentz brings decades of knowledge and experience to the position, but just as importantly, he brings a genuine commitment to the men and women who proudly serve Billings every day.

26+ years of service. A career built on commitment. And a well-earned opportunity to lead.

Please join us in congratulating Interim Fire Chief Bentz!

08/27/2026

After 29 years of dedicated service, today marks Fire Chief Hoppel's final shift with the Billings Fire Department.

Throughout his career, Chief Hoppel has served in many roles across the department, including working in the Fire Prevention Bureau and serving as Training Chief. His passion for teaching, mentoring, and developing firefighters has made a lasting impact on countless members of BFD and the fire service.

Chief Hoppel's commitment has also extended far beyond our department. He has been involved with numerous local, state, and national organizations and has dedicated significant time to
honoring and supporting fallen firefighters and their families through the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.

His passion for the fire service has been evident throughout his 29-year career. Whether working in fire prevention, teaching and developing the next generation of firefighters, leading the department, supporting fellow firefighters, or representing BFD outside our organization, Chief Hoppel ha remained committed to making the fire service and our community better.

We thank Chief Hoppel for 29 years of service, leadership, knowledge, and dedication to the Billings Fire Department and the City of Billings. His influence will continue through the many people he has taught, mentored, and served alongside.

Please join us in congratulating Chief Hoppel on an incredible career and wishing him all the best in his next chapter. Congratulations, Chief, and thank you for everything you have given to BFD and the fire service!

08/27/2026

Assistant Chief Kevin Bentz explains how dry hydrants work and how firefighters were able to maintain a water supply throughout the incident. Despite the name, a dry hydrant provides access to an underground tank containing approximately 30,000 gallons of water. Additional water was also brought to the scene using water tenders.

Read more from KULR8 below for a simple explanation of how these systems help provide water for firefighting in areas without traditional hydrants.

Read the full KULR8 News story.

Billings, Mont. — Fire officials in Billings said the shooting and fire on White Star Circle raised questions about whether crews had enough water while fighting the flames.

08/25/2026

Today, Battalion Chief Lyon worked his final shift with the Billings Fire Department, marking the end of 25 years of dedicated service to the department and our community.

Throughout his career, BC Lyon rose through the ranks of the Billings Fire Department and played a pivotal role in the implementation and continued success of the Montana Regional Hazardous Materials Team housed at Station 5. During his tenure as the Hazardous Materials Team Coordinator, he served on both state and federal committees and dedicated countless hours to improving hazardous materials response capabilities across Montana.

BC Lyon also worked closely with the 82nd Civil Support Team of the Montana Army National Guard on grants and homeland security initiatives, helping strengthen partnerships and emergency preparedness throughout the region.

During the 2020 pandemic, BC Lyon stepped away from his regular shift duties to help ensure both the Billings Fire Department and the City of Billings had the most current infection control guidelines and disease prevention guidance available during an unprecedented time.

We thank BC Lyon for his 25 years of service, leadership, and dedication to the Billings Fire Department and the community. Please join us in congratulating him on a well-earned retirement and wishing him the very best of luck in this next chapter!

08/21/2026

Congratulations to Rick Schauer on his promotion from Battalion Chief to Assistant Chief of Operations!

Assistant Chief Schauer brings years of experience, leadership, and dedication to his new role, and we are proud to have him continue serving the members of the Billings Fire Department and our community.

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Chief Schauer on this well-earned promotion and the next chapter of his career with BFD!

08/20/2026

Congrats to FF Hanscom and FF Frehse on being BFDs newest Hi-C qualified Engineers!

Their hard work, training, and dedication have prepared them to take on this important role!

08/18/2026

Your Billings Fire Fighters would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Billings Kiwanis for their generous donation of backpacks to support children impacted by fires and other emergencies in our community.

Each BFD engine company will carry three of these backpacks, allowing our firefighters to provide them to children in need during difficult and unexpected situations.

08/17/2026

The Billings Fire Department, Billings Police Department, American Medical Response Billings, 911 Communications Center and Billings Public Schools recently came together at Lewis and Clark Middle School for Active Threat Response Training.

This collaborative training allows first responders to strengthen coordination and practice a unified response to active threat incidents. During these events, BFD personnel operate as part of Rescue Task Force teams, working alongside law enforcement to safely enter secured areas and provide immediate patient assessment, treatment, and movement to casualty collection points (CCPs).

Training on Rescue Task Force concepts helps ensure patients receive critical care as quickly as possible while prioritizing efficient transport to local hospitals.

We appreciate all of our community partners who participated in this important training and their continued commitment to preparedness, teamwork, and the safety of our community.