The Sun Valley Fire Department is made of men and women the dedicate their time and lives to the safety and protection of the citizens of Sun Valley Idaho. The department consist of 30 volunteers and 3 full Duty Firefighters. There are two fire stations, Elkhorn Station and City Hall Station.
Sun Valley Fire Department History
The Sun Valley Resort was built by Union Pacific Rialroad in 1936, the Inn was soon to follow. Fire protection was handled by the railroad and SV employees during this time and there were many hydrants and at least 20 hose carts around the facility. All employees as Railroad employees were required to man the Fire Brigade when the call would arise. As far as we know, they did have fires but none of them very large and all handled easily by employees of the resort. We have documentation by a J.C. Roberts and he was the General Fire and Sanitary Engineer in 1953. He signed a booklet of fire regulations in March of 1953. I believe there was a Fire Engine in Ketchum that would come and assist the resort with any problems.
In 1971 The Elkhorn Resort was planned and the City of Ketchum decided they would no longer provide Fire apparatus to the City of Sun Valley. The City operated out of a trailer at the present Moritz Dorms site. The City ordered two American La France Fire engines in 1973. They were a Class A pumper and a 55 Foot snorkel with a boom that would reach out and pump 750 gallons of water. They were housed in the Sun Valley Resort Garages unitl the present day City Hall was constructed in 1975-76. Bill Innes was the Fire Chief when they were ordered followed by the Building Official Oliver Dibble who remained the Fire Chief until 1978, when Jeff Carnes and Herb Wright were made joint Chiefs. Mr. Wright was a full time police officer for the city and when he was on duty Jeff Carnes would take over. This worked out for about 6 months until Jeff Carnes was appointed Chief and continues to this day. Over the years there have been many Assistant Fire Chiefs and they are listed in chronological order. Joe Humphrey, Dennis Wheeler, Jeff Nevins, Michael Echeita, Pat McMahon and the present Assistant Fire Chief Ray Franco.
After a catastrophic fire in Elkhorn in 1979 it was decided a fire station would need to be erected in the Elkhorn Area. Sun Valley Elkhorn Homeowners Association and Johns-Manville provided the property for the current station. Ruscitto, Latham, and Blanton were directed to design and build a neighborhood fire station that would compliment the area and serve the guests and permanent residents. They won many awards for the Elkhorn Fire Station and we are all proud to work here.
