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Celebrating 25 Years of Service: Highlands Fire District 1999-2024

Fire Board:  Tom Hanecak, Chair, Jay Smith, Carl Nelson, Dan Stoffel. Brad Bippus, Clerk

Honoring a Legacy of Commitment and Service

This year marks a significant milestone for the Highlands Fire District as we celebrate 25 years of dedicated service to our community. HFD formed in March 1999 through the merger of the Kachina Village and Mountainaire Fire Districts, we have grown to serve a diverse region south of Flagstaff, including the communities of Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Mountainaire, Lower Lake Mary, Pine-Del, Flagstaff Ranch, and Fort Tuthill. Highlands Fire District has been a cornerstone of fire protection in the greater Flagstaff area.

A Journey of Growth and Innovation

The origins of our service trace back to the early 1970s. Over the years, our strategic planning and regional collaborations have significantly bolstered our capabilities.  From the implementation of innovative programs like the Bear Jaw Fire and Fuels Program to the construction of new fire stations, we've continually adapted to meet the needs of our community. Through various programs and initiatives, we've been committed to educating our community about fire safety and prevention. Along the way, we've forged strong partnerships with local organizations and agencies to enhance our services and ensure the safety of our residents.

Looking to the Future

As we reflect on our journey, we honor the vision, dedication, and hard work that have shaped the Highlands Fire District over the past 25 years, and we remain dedicated to retaining quality personnel and providing exceptional fire protection and emergency medical services going forward. We're committed to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation to ensure we have the tools and resources necessary to protect our community. We value your support and look forward to a future of enhanced service and safety for all. Thank you for being an integral part of our success.

Here's to many more years of dedicated service!

 

Firefighters in yellow gear walking in a line in a forested area with vehicles in the background.
1999 CREC Drill
Firefighter on stairs with smoke, wearing protective gear and holding a hose.
2003 Chief Pond Live Fire Training
Firefighters practice vehicle extrication using special equipment.
2003 Volunteer Fire Academy
Two people with a log-splitting machine outdoors.
2003 First Fuels Crew
A red fire truck parked outdoors with trees in the background.
2004 New Type 6 Engine
Firefighter extinguishing a smoldering house ruin.
2004 Tovar Fire
A red vehicle with "Highlands Fire District" text, parked on a rain-soaked road surrounded by trees.
2004 Kachina Flood
Three people posing, one holding an award.
2005 Forest Highlands Firewise Award
Fire truck at a training exercise with firefighters on stairs and a dummy on the ground, mountains and trees in the background.
2005 Live Fire Training
A reporter interviewing a man with a cameraperson filming near a fire truck.
2006 Someone to Know Interview
May contain: bumper, transportation, vehicle, fire truck, truck, machine, wheel, and person
2007 New Type I Engine
Firefighters walk under an American flag hung between two ladder trucks under a clear sky.
2008 Memorial Service
A man in a white uniform presenting at a podium with an image board, multiple ceremonial shovels lined up in front, in an outdoor setting.
2008 Station 25 Groundbreaking
A commemorative fire department collage, with photos, patches, and articles celebrating ten years.
2009 HFD 10th Anniversary Celebration
Four men under a porch, one swinging a golf club, others watching. Trees and a driveway in the background.
2009 Station 25 Uncoupling
Man standing behind table with ceremonial shovels, likely at a groundbreaking event. Trees in the background.
2009 Station 23 Groundbreaking
Group of people in matching blue shirts at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
2010 Station 23 Uncoupling
Two men unveiling a plaque for Highlands Fire Station 23 at a ceremony.
2010 Station 23 Dedication
A man in a white shirt presents a commemorative plaque while another looks on, in an outdoor event with a microphone stand.
2010 Hirsch Center Dedication
A firefighter gestures in front of a blazing fire.
2010 Live Fire Training
Snow-covered landscape with a sign for Highland Fire Station 21 and directions for parking.
2011 Station 21 Snow
Uniformed personnel folding an American flag at a ceremony.
2012 Honor Guard
A memorial with firefighter helmets, boots, and jackets lined up in front of a stage with flowers and US flags.
2013 Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial
A crowded press conference with reporters, cameras, and onlookers in a garage-like setting.
2014 Slide Fire
A group of firefighters in protective gear gathered in front of a vehicle, possibly preparing for a mission.
2015 Bear Jaw Crew
Firefighters in gear receiving training or instruction beside a fire truck.
2016 GFR Cooperation
Hot air balloon shaped like Smokey Bear floating near a pond with reflection, surrounded by trees and people.
2017
A man in a polo shirt stands near ceremonial shovels and a project display board, possibly at a groundbreaking event.
2018 Administration Groundbreaking
Firefighters battling a vehicle fire at night with smoke and flames visible.
2022 I-17 Fire
A modern building with large windows, partially covered sidewalk, and snow piled up in front.
2019 Administration Complete
Emergency services with a helicopter, vehicle, and personnel at a helipad.
2020 Airport Training
A ceremony with uniformed individuals, one holding a helmet, American flags, and a podium.
2021 Transfer of Command to Chief Miller
A fire truck and firefighters beside a temporary water tank under a cloudy sky.
2023 Engineer Drafting Training
Three people with climbing helmets and gear are setting up or inspecting a rope system on a rocky surface.
2024 Technical Rescue Training
Firefighters in yellow gear walking in a line in a forested area with vehicles in the background.
Firefighter on stairs with smoke, wearing protective gear and holding a hose.
Firefighters practice vehicle extrication using special equipment.
Two people with a log-splitting machine outdoors.
A red fire truck parked outdoors with trees in the background.
Firefighter extinguishing a smoldering house ruin.
A red vehicle with "Highlands Fire District" text, parked on a rain-soaked road surrounded by trees.
Three people posing, one holding an award.
Fire truck at a training exercise with firefighters on stairs and a dummy on the ground, mountains and trees in the background.
A reporter interviewing a man with a cameraperson filming near a fire truck.
May contain: bumper, transportation, vehicle, fire truck, truck, machine, wheel, and person
Firefighters walk under an American flag hung between two ladder trucks under a clear sky.
A man in a white uniform presenting at a podium with an image board, multiple ceremonial shovels lined up in front, in an outdoor setting.
A commemorative fire department collage, with photos, patches, and articles celebrating ten years.
Four men under a porch, one swinging a golf club, others watching. Trees and a driveway in the background.
Man standing behind table with ceremonial shovels, likely at a groundbreaking event. Trees in the background.
Group of people in matching blue shirts at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Two men unveiling a plaque for Highlands Fire Station 23 at a ceremony.
A man in a white shirt presents a commemorative plaque while another looks on, in an outdoor event with a microphone stand.
A firefighter gestures in front of a blazing fire.
Snow-covered landscape with a sign for Highland Fire Station 21 and directions for parking.
Uniformed personnel folding an American flag at a ceremony.
A memorial with firefighter helmets, boots, and jackets lined up in front of a stage with flowers and US flags.
A crowded press conference with reporters, cameras, and onlookers in a garage-like setting.
A group of firefighters in protective gear gathered in front of a vehicle, possibly preparing for a mission.
Firefighters in gear receiving training or instruction beside a fire truck.
Hot air balloon shaped like Smokey Bear floating near a pond with reflection, surrounded by trees and people.
A man in a polo shirt stands near ceremonial shovels and a project display board, possibly at a groundbreaking event.
Firefighters battling a vehicle fire at night with smoke and flames visible.
A modern building with large windows, partially covered sidewalk, and snow piled up in front.
Emergency services with a helicopter, vehicle, and personnel at a helipad.
A ceremony with uniformed individuals, one holding a helmet, American flags, and a podium.
A fire truck and firefighters beside a temporary water tank under a cloudy sky.
Three people with climbing helmets and gear are setting up or inspecting a rope system on a rocky surface.