SOLVANG FIRE DEPARTMENT

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MISSION STATEMENT:
Preserve the image, viability and safety of Solvang, its citizens, and its Danish culture by providing coordinated fire protection and emergency response services with primarily paid-call staffing.

VISION STATEMENT:
Represent the fire service by demonstrating a unified organization comprised of individuals motivated to develop character, ethical behavior, professionalism, personal responsibility, bold personal leadership, and dedication to family and community.

The Solvang Fire Department was formed on November 25, 1931. It was made up of volunteers from the community, and that proud tradition still stands today. The first Fire Station was located at 1640 Copenhagen in the center of downtown. In the 1960's a new city hall was built at 1644 Oak Street and it included a new Fire Station. In the 1980's a larger bay was added to house the new aerial ladder truck.

There are 25 members of the department. The department is made up of a full time Fire Chief, a Training Chief, a full time Administrative Captain, and 22 pay-call members. Established members of the community make up the core of the department. The Solvang Fire Department also offers an opportunity to people interested in becoming full-time career firefighters to be hired here and get experience and training as they are preparing for their future. There are always new faces revolving thru a limited number of positions.

Department equipment consists of:

• 1500 gpm Type I Pumper
• 1250 gpm Wildland-Interface Engine
• 1250 gpm 50 Foot Telesquirt
• Type III Heavy Brush-Truck
• Light Rescue Truck
• Chief's Sedan

The Solvang Fire Department responds to 350 to 400 emergency and assistance calls per year. They respond to automatic and mutual aid calls with the adjoining departments, and are part of the state wide mutual aid system.

The City has an area of 2.2 square miles and has a population of 5,450. State Hwy 246 passes thru the center of Solvang, it is the main crossroad for the valley. Solvang is a bedroom community with a light industrial section on the west end of town. The focus of the business community is tourism. The downtown section is retail shops and restaurants built in Danish architecture. There are about 1.5 million visitors to the village each year.

The Solvang Fire Department provides public education for the schools and businesses, and a fire prevention business inspection program. Its members participate in the local parades and community events that are held during the year such as Danish Days, the Annual Christmas Tree Burn, Health Day in the Park, Fire Prevention Week and others.