Partnerships, modern training facilities, and physical conditioning have transformed how the Twin Falls Fire Department responds to emergencies — and the department’s top official says the results speak for themselves.
Fire Chief Mitchell Brooks addressed the Twin Falls County Local Emergency Planning Committee on Tuesday, June 9, at County West in Twin Falls, laying out how the department has grown in capability since he took the helm in March 2024. His remarks touched on everything from large-scale structure fires to technical rescues along the Snake River Canyon Rim, painting a picture of a department that leans heavily on regional cooperation.
A Major Fire Tests the System
One of the most telling examples of the department’s approach came in April 2022, when fire destroyed the Radio Rondevoo Event Center on Main Avenue — a 15,000-square-foot venue that posed a serious challenge for responders. Four ladder trucks from multiple departments converged on the scene, and Brooks, who was serving as a battalion chief at the time and arrived first, said the coordinated response made a critical difference.
“We saved a lot of structures that day,” Brooks said following his presentation. “Teamwork was right on point that day.”
The Radio Rondevoo blaze underscored the value of mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies. Brooks noted that those agreements have proven especially important when the department finds itself shorthanded, allowing Twin Falls to call on outside resources rather than stretch its own crews too thin.
Better Training, Broader Responsibilities
Training has evolved significantly in recent years. Department training officer Jesse Bowman noted that firefighters previously received only a brief two-week crash course before hitting the field. The Jim Bieri Regional Fire Training Center has changed that, providing more advanced and structured preparation for personnel across the region.
Physical readiness is also built into the department’s daily routine — each firefighter is required to work out for at least one hour every shift, a standard that reflects the physical demands of the job.
The department’s responsibilities extend well beyond fighting structural fires. About one in four calls — roughly 25 percent — involves emergency medical services, making EMS response a core part of the workload. The department’s 60-square-mile coverage area includes not only city blocks but also the rugged terrain around the Snake River Canyon Rim, where complex rescue situations require coordination between the fire department, the county search and rescue team, and the Special Operations Rescue Team.
Wildfire Risk and Land Outside City Limits
Brooks also addressed fire risk in areas surrounding Twin Falls. Residents living outside city limits fall within a fire protection district, where they pay into a taxing district in exchange for fire coverage — a structure that helps fund protection for properties beyond the urban core.
One priority going forward is reducing the fuel load in Rock Creek Canyon, where dry vegetation creates wildfire risk. The department was called to a small fire in the area as recently as May, a reminder that canyon terrain demands ongoing attention heading into summer fire season.
With firefighting and public safety concerns never far from the news in Magic Valley, Twin Falls County residents may also be following closely the series of recent highway incidents that have strained emergency resources. A wrong-way driver caused a serious head-on collision near the Snake River Bridge, hospitalizing three people, while a Buhl woman was killed in a Highway 93 crash after failing to yield at an intersection — both incidents drawing significant emergency response.
What Comes Next
Brooks and his department appear focused on continued improvement on several fronts — strengthening mutual aid networks, reducing wildfire risk in canyon areas, and maintaining the physical and technical readiness of personnel. The Local Emergency Planning Committee presentation gave county officials and community stakeholders a direct look at where Twin Falls Fire stands and where leadership intends to take it. As summer temperatures climb and fire season gets underway across southern Idaho, the department’s preparation will face its annual real-world test.