Brandon Volunteer Fire Department

The Brandon Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1958, and chartered as a non-profit corporation. Prior to this time, the Brandon area called upon the Valley Springs or Renner Fire Departments for aid. Approximately 15 volunteers “manned” the early Fire Department. The first apparatus was an Army surplus, 1946 Dodge truck purchased for $600. This truck was modified into a pumper for the Fire Department. Elmer Erickson became the first Fire Chief and served for 18 years. In the first few years, the members responded to approximately 12 calls a year. In 1967, a new Ford pumper was purchased. Over the years, as Brandon continued to grow, so did the call volume. In 1990, the Fire Department responded to approximately 130 calls, and ten years later, responded to approximately 260 calls in 2000. In 2010, the Fire Department responded to 455 calls. The Brandon Volunteer Fire Department responds to all types of emergency calls, including medical calls, vehicle accidents, and all types of fires. As the needs of the Fire Department changed, more apparatus were added to the fleet. The Fire Department’s fleet of apparatus included 2 Fire Engines, 2 Wildland units, 2 Tenders, a Rescue vehicle to respond to all Medical and Fire calls, a second Rescue vehicle which carries the hydraulic and other rescue tools used for extrication and rescue, and a Support vehicle used by the Fire Chief to respond directly to the scene. In 2005, the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department moved into its new building located at 401 N. Sioux Boulevard. This building better accommodated the needs of the Fire Department due to the larger fleet of apparatus, as well as providing a classroom/training room and a community room used for group gatherings.