Bellingham Fire Department
Bellingham, WA · Whatcom County
Bellingham Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Bellingham, WA (Whatcom County), with 8 stations and 149 total personnel. The department also provides EMS services. Full equipment, coverage, and staffing data from HIFLD are below.
- 149
- Total personnel
- 8
- Stations
- -
- Fire trucks
- Yes
- EMS service
(37/dept)
of 322 WA depts
staffing density
AFG / SAFER
Department Profile
- Type
- MAINLY PAID PROVIDERS
- Location
- Bellingham, WA
- County
- Whatcom County
- FDID
- 37M01
FEMA Grant History
| Year | Award | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | EMW-2019-FG-07940 | $707,186 |
| 2017 | EMW-2017-FO-04744 | $566,919 |
| 2010 | EMW2009FH00193 | $-415,880 |
| 2009 | EMW-2009-FH-0019 | $1,336,650 |
Source: USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER) USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER)
Staffing vs the Washington average
How Bellingham Fire Department's personnel count compares to the typical department in Washington. It is larger than 95% of the 322 reporting departments statewide.
- Stations
- 8
- State fire deaths/yr
- 68
- WA departments
- 483
What This Data Tells You About Bellingham Fire Department
Bellingham Fire Department operates as a Career (Paid) department in Bellingham, within Whatcom County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 149 total personnel, 8 stations, no truck inventory reported. EMS capability is listed as active.
Benchmarking against the state gives this profile context. Washington has 483 registered fire departments and 17,908 total personnel, averaging roughly 37 staff per department. Bellingham Fire Department runs 303% above that state average, signalling a larger-than-typical crew likely tied to denser population or higher call volume. The state records about 38,900 fires, 68 fire deaths, and 58% volunteer coverage each year, which shapes training, funding priorities, and mutual-aid patterns felt at every department in the state.
Federal investment further defines this department's trajectory: Bellingham Fire Department has received 4 FEMA grants totaling $2,194,875 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many firefighters does Bellingham Fire Department have? ▼
Bellingham Fire Department has 149 total personnel according to HIFLD data. This is 303% above the Washington average of 37 per department.
Does Bellingham Fire Department provide EMS services? ▼
Yes, Bellingham Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in addition to fire response.
How many fire stations does Bellingham Fire Department operate? ▼
Bellingham Fire Department operates 8 fire stations.
What type of fire department is Bellingham Fire Department? ▼
Bellingham Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Whatcom County, WA. Career departments employ full-time paid firefighters.
Has Bellingham Fire Department received federal grants? ▼
Yes, Bellingham Fire Department has received 4 FEMA grants totaling $2,194,875 through the AFG and SAFER programs. The most recent grant was in fiscal year 2019.
How many fire departments are in Washington? ▼
Washington has 483 fire departments with 17,908 total personnel. 58% are volunteer departments.
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Data from HIFLD Open Data (FEMA/DHS). Not all departments report equally.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from FEMA/DHS HIFLD Open Data. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.