General Info

Located in the South West Corner of South Dakota, in the Heart of the Black Hills, Custer Volunteer Fire Department provides primary fire services to the City of Custer, Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Our total response area covers 400 square miles. CVFD is an all volunteer fire station with 35 personnel. The department is headed by Fire Chief Joel Behlings and two Assistant Chief's Bill Bell and Brian Faith, the administrative office is staffed by Treasurer Mike Mayer and Secretary Selena Spring. Custer Volunteer Fire Department operates three Class A Engines a 2010 Pierce Contender 4X4 with 1, 000 Hale Pump, CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) and 500 gal tank, 2000 Pierce Saber and a 1992 Becker/Central, both with 1, 500 gpm Hale Pump and 1, 000 gal tank. We also operate, Water Tender, two Type 6 Wildland Engines, a Utility Truck which also carries Custer County Mobile Air Supply, and a Ford Crew Cab Pickup. The departments "Leo Harbach Station" built in 1962, is located at 6th & Crook Streets in the middle of Custer City. CVFD is currently working to build a new fire station to meet the demands of today's fire service. Volunteer membership is available to citizens at least 18 years of age who are willing to donate their time and talents to helping the community. Membership categories are available for those who wish to pursue firefighting and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) activities, Fire Ground Support, and those who wish to help with administrative, fund raising and non-fire activities of the department. Applicants for membership must undergo a background check and physical exam provided by the department before acceptance. We are dispatched on emergency calls by Custer County Communications Center which is part of a Combined Communications Facility including 911, County Sheriff, Fire, Rescue and EMS. Members are dispatched by tone alerting pagers.