WHAT: Dedication ceremony and public open house for the Rollins Volunteer Fire
Department’s new fire station.
WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 2026. Ceremony 10:30 a.m. Open house approx. 11:15 a.m.
to 12:00pm noon.
WHERE: 21324 Big Lodge Road, Rollins, Montana 59931
WHO: Fire Chief Carey Cooley, Rollins Volunteer Fire Department members, Rollins Fire
Foundation leadership, R. Porch Construction team, Lake County o_icials, and neighboring
fire departments.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Rollins Volunteer Fire Department has been all volunteer since 1962,
when three community members bought a used fire truck to protect homes along the west
shore of Flathead Lake. The Lake County commissioners recognized Rollins as a fire district
in 1989. In 2010 the department ran on five active volunteers; today more than twenty
trained volunteers answer every call on the West Shore and provide mutual aid across
Flathead and Lake counties.
Between 2024 and 2025, a community of roughly 550 households raised approximately
$2.2 million for capital projects. The new station was funded entirely through private
community giving.
VISUALS AND ACCESS:
Fire Chief Carey Cooley – Welcomes Community and Presentation of Colors by fire
department members, 10:45 a.m.
Ribbon cutting and unveiling of the Dedication plaque, approximately 11:00 a.m.
RVFD Apparatus open to the public and crews available for interviews during the open
house
Chief Cooley available for interviews after 11:15 a.m. – 12:00p.m.
PARKING FOR MEDIA:
A space will be held. Contact RVFD department members on arrival.
A Rollins Volunteer Fire Department fact sheet is attached below.
High-resolution photographs available on request after the event.
ROLLINS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT – FACT SHEET
RVFD Mission
“To provide those who live within the boundaries of our fire district the best fire protection
possible.”
Founded in 1962 by three community members who bought a used fire truck
First station – Methodist Camp Road, on donated land
Recognized as a fire district – 1989 by the Lake County commissioners
Current property – Relocated to Highway 93 in 1995
Service area – West Shore of Flathead Lake: homes, campgrounds, and wildland urban
interface. Mutual aid across Flathead and Lake counties.
Volunteers – 5 active in 2010. More than 20 trained volunteers today.
Apparatus – 9 trucks and engines
Sta_ing – All volunteer since 1962
The New Fire Station
Built and donated to the department by the Rollins Fire Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3).
Funding
Operations are funded by property tax revenue within the fire district. Capital projects are
funded by community donations. Between 2024 and 2025, roughly $2.2 million was raised
for capital projects, almost entirely from people who live here.
Two Entities
Rollins Fire Foundation, Inc., 501(c)(3), EIN 99-1534506. Capital projects and equipment.
Rollins Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., 501(c)(3), EIN 93-4954898. Operations and
training.
Event Contacts
Chief Carey Cooley, (406) 314-0829, carey@rollinsfire.org
Greg LeFevre, (406) 300-2422, greg@rollinsfire.org
Media Contacts
Darrah Rogers, (406) 212-8918 darrah@rollinsfire.org – or –
Greg LeFevre, (406) 300-2422, greg@rollinsfire.org
Website: rollinsfire.org
Physical Address: 21324 Big Lodge Road, Rollins, MT 59931
Mailing Address: PO Box 56, Rollins MT 59931