Lead Volunteer Fire Department

10/08/2026

Fire Prevention Week: October 4-10, 2026

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department is proud to join fire departments across the country in observing Fire Prevention Week. This year's national theme, set by the National Fire Protection Association, is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower." The campaign focuses on the everyday charging habits that reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires in our homes.

Members of our department visited our local preschool today to meet some of our community's youngest residents. The children toured our apparatus, saw our personal protective equipment up close, and learned basic safety actions to take in an emergency. Focusing on showing what we might look like when we respond and teaching these lessons early helps children act with confidence, and we appreciated how attentive they were and how many thoughtful questions they asked.

To follow with this week's theme, here are some Safe Charging Tips
- Use only the charger and cable that came with your device, or ones certified by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Charge devices on a hard, flat surface. Avoid beds, couches, and pillows, which trap heat.
- Do not leave devices charging unattended or overnight when possible, and unplug them once fully charged.
- Stop using any battery that is swollen, overheating, leaking, or giving off an odor, and call 911 if it shows signs of smoke or fire.

To maintain the spirit of Fire Prevention Week, here are some additional Home Fire Safety Reminders
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them every 10 years.
- Create a home escape plan with two ways out of every room, and practice it twice a year.
- Choose an outdoor meeting place so everyone knows where to gather.
- Once you are out, stay out, and call 911 from a safe location.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended.

If you would like our department to visit your school, group, or organization, or if you have questions about fire safety in your home, please contact us.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, visit our website - www.LeadFD.com or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

Thank you for your continued support of the Lead Volunteer Fire Department.

09/25/2026

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department is wishing the best of luck to our Lead-Deadwood Golddigger Football team for their homecoming game tonight against Timber Lake!

Kickoff is at 6:00pm at Historic Ferguson Field.

Let's Go Diggers!

09/20/2026

In the past three weeks, LVFD has responded to four separate vehicle off roadway accidents in our area:

• August 30: A vehicle carrying four passengers left the roadway and rolled approximately 30 feet down an embankment, coming to rest in a creek. LVFD assisted with patient care, traffic control, and vehicle safety; multiple patients were transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

• September 2: A single occupant vehicle failed to negotiate a corner on Kirk Road and came to rest over an embankment, held in place by a bush. Ambulance and law enforcement personnel were able to help the driver out before LVFD's arrival; no injuries were reported.

• September 18: A single occupant vehicle left the roadway, went off a retaining wall, and rolled onto its side. First arriving officers extricated the patient through the sunroof; the patient was transported by ambulance for further evaluation.

• September 19: A vehicle rolled onto its side with initial reports of entrapment. Law enforcement and EMS were able to remove the occupant before LVFD's arrival.

Thankfully, no lives have been lost, but several people have been injured, and crews have had to work in dangerous, unstable conditions to reach patients. As you're driving through our area, please:

• Slow down, especially on curves and unfamiliar roads

• Stay focused; put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road

• Use extra caution at night, when visibility is limited

• Know your road; embankments, retaining walls, and drop offs don't leave much room for error

Our volunteers are proud to respond whenever our neighbors need us, but we'd much rather see everyone get home safely without needing us at all. Please drive safe out there, for yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, America stood still as an unthinkable tragedy struck our nation.

2,977 people lost their lives that day.

412 of them were firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who ran toward danger to save others, making the ultimate sacrifice.

In the years since, countless more responders and survivors have lost their lives to illnesses tied to that day, their sacrifice no less real, and their names no less worthy of remembrance.

Today, we stand in solidarity across the nation to honor those we lost to an act of terrorism, to remember the heroism shown that day, and to reflect on the resilience our nation found in the days that followed.

When our tones sound, we're reminded of the responders who ran into those towers knowing the risk, and never hesitated. Their sacrifice continues to motivate our service.

We will never forget.

08/28/2026

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department was privileged and honored to es**rt the Lead-Deadwood Golddigger Football team to their season opener tonight vs. Wall Eagles at Historic Ferguson Field.

Good luck boys.

Go Diggers!

08/26/2026

Welcome Back, Lead-Deadwood Students!

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department wants to wish all Lead-Deadwood students, teachers, and staff a fantastic start to the new school year. Whether you are walking into your very first day of kindergarten or your last first day as a senior, we are excited for you and everything this year has in store. Here is to a year full of learning, growth, and great memories.

As students head back to school, we also want to take a moment to share some important safety reminders for everyone in our community, whether you are a driver, a parent, or a student.

Traffic Note:
- With the completion of renovations at Lead-Deadwood Middle School, there is a new student drop off lane on South Main Street in front of the school. Expect higher student and vehicle traffic on the block between CC Curan and Arlington during drop off and pick up times, and please use extra caution in this area.

For Drivers:
- Slow down in school zones and stay alert for children walking or biking to school.
- Always stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, from both directions, unless separated by a median.
- Watch closely near bus stops, especially in low light during early morning drop offs.

For Students:
- Arrive at your bus stop a few minutes early and wait a safe distance back from the road.
- Stay seated and listen to your bus driver while riding.
- If you are walking or biking to school, use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

For Parents:
- Review your child's route to school or the bus stop with them, especially if it is new this year.
- Make sure backpacks and clothing are visible, particularly if your student walks in early morning or evening light.

We are proud to serve our community, and that includes helping keep our students safe as they head back to the classroom. Have a wonderful school year.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

08/22/2026

***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***

Current Fire Restrictions: City of Lead, Lawrence County, and Black Hills National Forest

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department wants to make sure residents and visitors have a clear picture of the fire restrictions currently in place across our area. There are three separate sets of restrictions right now, and which one applies depends on where you are.

Over the last couple weeks the LVFD and other Fire Departments in our region have been responding to a wide variety of fire related incidents including fire pits, smoke reports, and lightning strikes.

--- City of Lead
The City of Lead has enacted a temporary burn ban, effective until further notice, due to extremely dry conditions and increased wildfire risk. Within city limits, campfires, bonfires, backyard fire pits, recreational fires, and the burning of trash, yard waste, brush, leaves, or tree debris are all prohibited. Propane and natural gas grills remain allowed, as do charcoal grills used only for cooking, provided they are attended at all times.

--- Lawrence County
Lawrence County has enacted Resolution #2026-19, a countywide burn ban covering all unincorporated areas outside of municipalities and federal land. This ban prohibits open fires, outdoor smoking, unshielded chainsaws and generators, welding or open flame torches, explosives, and off road vehicle travel outside established roads.

--- Black Hills National Forest
The Forest Service has implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions across all National Forest System lands in the Black Hills, effective since July 27th and remaining in place until December 27th unless lifted earlier. These restrictions closely mirror the county's and apply to anyone recreating, camping, or traveling on Forest Service land.

Please take a moment to know which restrictions apply to your location before you strike a match, start a fire, or head out onto Forest Service roads. These measures are in place to protect our homes, our neighbors, and the Black Hills we all care about.

If you see smoke or fire, report it to 911 immediately.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

08/08/2026

At approximately 11:19 a.m. on Saturday August 8th, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a Signal 1 single motorcycle accident approximately four miles south of Lead on Highway 14A/US 85 near N. Rochford Road.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a single motorcycle had left the roadway. The patient sustained serious injuries. First arriving firefighters performed immediate life saving measures to stabilize the patient and requested Black Hills Life Flight.

While still on scene, at approximately 11:47 a.m. LVFD was paged to a second, unrelated motorcycle crash near mile marker 32 on US Highway 14A/85. One crew from LVFD was released from the scene at N. Rochford Road and responded directly, where they found that a second motorcycle had left the roadway. This patient also sustained serious injuries.

The crew remaining at N. Rochford Road prepared a landing zone for Black Hills Life Flight. Firefighters used Rescue 4 to wet the landing zone, mitigating dust and increasing safety for the incoming aircraft.

Firefighters worked alongside responding EMS crews and law enforcement to transfer both patients to higher levels of care via Black Hills Life Flight and Northern Hills Monument Health Ambulance.

Lead Units: Rescue 4 and Squad 7 responded to the incidents.

Assisting Agencies: Monument Health Northern Hills Ambulance, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and Black Hills Life Flight.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings a significant increase in riders on our roadways. We know accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. The Lead Volunteer Fire Department has been focusing training on response specific to these types of incidents. As you enjoy the Black Hills and the Rally, please maintain control of your vehicle, follow traffic laws, and adjust your driving or riding to road conditions.

Stay alert and stay safe.

08/05/2026

***Public Service Announcement***

The City of Lead has also issued a burn ban.

See details below.

Send a message to learn more