Administration
Branson Fire & Rescue Administration
Ted Martin - Fire Chief
Charlie Huston - Division Chief, Operations
Mike Novak - Battalion Chief, Training
Randy Fogle - Fire Prevention Officer
Jeff Wilcox - Fire Chaplain
Jan Denega - Administrative Assistant
Julie Kocher - Administrative Assistant
Auxaliary
Fire Department Auxiliary
The Auxiliary is a very big part of our department and helps out in many different ways:
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Remaining "on call" and be ready to assist the Branson Fire Rescue department at all times. We have taken sandwiches and replenishing fluids to fire calls. We will do the same for any other emergency or training when we are requested.

- Assist Chief Martin with public education activities when needed.
- Organize fund-raising events to benefit the Branson Fire/Rescue Association and other organizations that the BFR Association deems as needing assistance.
- Assist the Association in organizing gatherings such as the Annual Banquet and 5th Thursday parties.
Benevolent Fund
Fire Department Benevolent Fund
The Branson Fire Rescue Benevolent Fund has been designed to assist local area firefighters in time of need. It has been expanded to also assist visitors and local residents with the same purpose under certain circumstances.
The Benevolent Fund was started in 1999 when one Branson Firefighter was involved in a serious automobile accident with his family in Reno, NV. The Reno Fire Department went well above the call of duty to assist this family as they recovered from their injuries. The firefighter was so moved by the assistance given to him and his family; he began the E.F.F.O.R.T. (Every FireFighter Offering Relief Together) program in Branson.
Since inception, the EFFORT program has helped with over $8226.00 to area firefighters, and $1840.00 to area visitors and local residents in time of need.
The EFFORT fund is always in need of financial resources due to the great demand for assistance in our community. If you would like to make a donation, or have any questions on the EFFORT program, you can contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call 417-337-8580.
Forms
Fire Department Forms
All forms below can be filled out online using Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or above, but then must be printed, signed and mailed or delivered to the proper department, along with applicable fees, if any. For more information, please contact the Branson Fire Department.
Auxiliary Membership Application
Blasting Notification Form
Burn Permit
Fire Safety Education Program Request
Honor Guard Program Request
Special Permit Application
Volunteer Application
Honor Guard
Fire Department Honor Guard
The Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard was established shortly after Branson Fire Department became full-time in 1993. The Honor Guard was small in membership, and the duties were basically posting colors at two or three events a year that were fire department related only within Branson.
In 2000, new leadership and new members put a new face to the Honor Guard. New opportunities were explored, and the Honor
Guard began participating in local parades, conventions, weddings and memorials. The Honor Guard also began participating in events outside the city limits, including four separate trips to the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD. The Honor Guard went to the 2001, 2002 (in D.C. honoring 911 events), 2004, and again in 2007, and were honored with the attendance of President Bush. The Honor Guard would someday like to make the NFFM an annual event.
The Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard is self-funded through fundraising and community support, and raises funds for trips and equipment. New uniform equipment is currently being pursued, including badges, helmets and shields specifically for the Honor Guard.
The Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard is a member of The National Honor Guard Commanders Association (www.nhgca.com), and a member of Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team (www.mofirefuneral.org).
The Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard currently has eight members, and is under the command of Captain Scott Cizek and Engineer Jason Gagnepain.
Links
Fire Department Links
![]() Knox-Box Rapid Entry System Knox Box |
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National Fire Protection Association http://www.nfpa.org |
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FireFighter Close Calls http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/ |
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http://firehouse.com/ |
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http://www.firefighternearmiss.com |
![]() University of Missouri Extension, Fire and Rescue Training Institute http://www.mufrti.org/ |
![]() US Fire Administration http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/ |
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Fire Department Safety Officers Association http://www.fdsoa.org |
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International Association of Fire Chiefs http://www.iafc.org/ |
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Missouri Division of Fire Safety http://www.dfs.dps.mo.gov/ |
![]() State of Missouri, State Emergency Management Agency http://sema.dps.mo.gov |
![]() National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians https://www.nremt.org |
![]() Missouri Emergency Response Commission http://sema.dps.mo.gov/mercc.htm |
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Sparky the Fire Dog http://www.sparky.org |
![]() National Honor Guard Commanders Association http://www.nhgca.com/ |
![]() Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team http://www.mofirefuneral.org/ |
Public Education
Fire Department Public Education

Sparky the Fire Dog www.sparky.org
If you do not have Powerpoint installed on your computer, you will need to download the Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer to view some of these items. This link takes you directly to the Microsoft website to download.
Training
Fire Department Training
Training Vision
The mission of the Training Division is to provide the vision, knowledge and skills to allow every employee to work in a safe and efficient environment while performing a vast amount of services for our public.
For a training request form, please visit our forms page.
Volunteer Program
Fire Department Volunteer Program

How Do I Apply?
The first step is to completely fill out an application and attach a copy of your valid Missouri drivers license, proof of vehicle insurance, and a high school diploma or G. E. D. Turn all these documents in at the fire administration offices located at 1103 West Highway 76, near the Roark Valley Road intersection. In the application packet you will find a Missouri State request for drivers record form and a criminal record check. You will be responsible for sending this information off. Each qualified applicant will be notified of the next available testing date to complete a 75 question aptitude exam and a physical ability test.
As a final note, the fire department will conduct an investigation into your background. Becoming a member of the City of Branson Fire Department team requires careful selection. Acceptance to the fire department depends on many other variables, such as staffing needs. The selection process is designed to help the fire department find men and women who would most likely become the safest and most effective firefighters on the fire ground.
How will I be trained?
Imagine receiving training to prepare yourself to respond to emergency incidents that will range from building fires to heart attacks, from hazardous chemical spills to a person trapped in a car following a collision...
Once completing the application process and being voted on as a member of our team, you will enter into a commitment of continued education and study to make you the most efficient and safest firefighter on the fire ground.
Your training will start by attending a recruit firefighter academy introducing you to the policies and procedures of the fire department and the basics of fire fighting. The recruit program will be taught over a three month time period.
After graduating from the recruit firefighter academy, you will enter into an intermediate training program consisting of the Missouri State Firefighter I certification, First Responder medical training, hazardous Materials --- Operations Level, and Auto Extrication.
Most training classes are offered on Thursday nights, however additional training hours are available on occasional weekends, alternate evenings, and with the career personnel during the day. Training opportunities are posted monthly. Typically, the first Thursday of each month is for a business meeting of the Branson Fire Rescue Association, to keep our firefighters informed and to conduct routine business.
As mentioned earlier that becoming a part of our team requires a commitment on your part to continued training and education... additional training opportunities will be made available as you advance, including training through the University of Missouri - Fire Training.
What benefits will I receive?
Although the fire department's primary focus is to provide fire and rescue services for the residents and visitors of the City of Branson, as a firefighter you will receive and or be able to use various services at no cost to you.
- The fire department will provide to you state-of-the art protective clothing, a uniform and a pager to keep you abreast of all incidents. Total cost of this package is over $1250.
- As a firefighter, you are provided with Workman's Compensation Insurance.
- Membership to the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri which includes a monthly newsletter and the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance.
- Reimbursement pay for responding to fire-rescue incidents and training classes attended.
- The Fire Department has a Chaplain on staff for direct counseling or to acquire other resources for assistance.
- As a volunteer, you are encouraged to schedule to ride along with the career staff working 24 hour shifts.
Finally, the fire department's training program in fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical services, and continuing education not only benefits the community, but also becomes a priceless skill in family and personal relations. Not only are you equipped and trained to serve the public, you are ready and prepared to help those you love.


In 1912 Branson caught fire and virtually all of the city burned to the ground. At that time there was no fire protection. To the left is a picture of that incident along with a newspaper article to the right from the Taney County News. 

Team (CERT) Training and Support. CERT trains citizens in your community to perform essential life-saving functions waiting for the Professional Responders to arrive following a disaster.

































