City of Colfax, WA Fire Department

06/04/2026

05/21/2026

We would like to say thank you to City of Colfax, Washington City Council for budgeting funds this year so that we could update our very outdated technical rescue equipment, which we put into service at this week’s training. Not only is it vital for the safety of our personnel to have ropes, harnesses, and hardware that is in date, but the state of the art system kits we now have make it simpler and faster for responders to rig a rescue system, and allows them to operate it with fewer personnel.

04/29/2026

Our training last night might seem simple at first glance, but this drill helps to build many critical fireground skills.

The goal seems straightforward: find your way from the nozzle to the other end of your line. You can’t see anything. There are obstacles. The hose is tangled.

But during this task we are reinforcing:
SCBA confidence
Breathing air management
Keeping calm in a high intensity environment
Staying oriented in zero visibility
Communicating between teammates
Maneuvering restricted spaces
And many other skills that keep us safe.

04/22/2026

A great joint training with Whitman County Fire District 11 “Diamond” tonight. All the District 11 wildland trucks from Colfax and Diamond stations and Engine 1 from City of Colfax met at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds to drill deploying and extending hose lines, and progressive hose lays.

03/18/2026

What a great multi station training last night.

03/07/2026

*Check Your Smoke Detectors!*

Daylight savings is a great time to check your smoke detectors and change batteries. Here are some tips:

Some detectors have a non replaceable battery that is designed to last the life of the detector. Check that it’s working with the test button.

Detectors with replaceable batteries should get new ones once a year.

Any smoke detector should be replaced once it is ten years old. Look on the back of the detector for a date that it was manufactured or installed.

12/22/2025

Our 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 is available for surplus. The listing can be found at this link.

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 - City of Colfax Fire and Rescue Surplus

11/20/2025

A humorous reminder that deep frying a turkey can be very dangerous if done wrong. Have a safe Thanksgiving!

11/05/2025

Congratulations, Chief Scharnhorst!