The mission of Saint Vincent Fire Department is to safeguard lives and property against the injurious effects of accidents or uncontrolled hazards, panic, fire, explosion, natural disasters or hazardous materials. The members of the Department are trained and expected to respond to interior and exterior fires, which may occur on all Saint Vincent property along with intiating responses to all emergencies on Saint Vincent property until such time as outside assistance arrives on scene. Also, through a program of testing and inspection, built-in protection systems and by maintaining strong and comprehensive fire prevention, code enforcement, and public education programs, the department seeks to prevent such uncontrolled hazards from occurring.

The Fire Department was created following the catastrophic fire at Saint Vincent in January of 1963. Archabbot Rembert Weakland asked Brother Patrick Lacey to establish a  department charged with the protection of lives and property at Saint Vincent Archabbey, parish, seminary and college. A combination of monks, seminarians and college students has since served the fire protection needs of the entire Saint Vincent community.

The department falls under the administration of the Saint Vincent Public Safety Department. A fire chief appointed by the Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey, who is also the Chancellor of Saint Vincent College, operationally supervises the Fire Department. Membership to the Fire Department is opened to all monks, students and employees of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary and College. Each year new members are offered a stat certified course along with other drills that address specific potential dangers on Saint Vincent property. In addition to this fire fighter training, in the fall of each new school year, the Fire Department offers fire safety training to the residence life staff of the college.

Presently, we operate from a station located east of the campus and are equipped with at 1978 1000-gallon Mack pumper and a  1982 Ford utility vehicle. Dispatching is provided through radio and pager contact witht the switchboard, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Also, we maintain a good relationship with Lloydsville Fire and Rescue and other local Fire and Emergency service, who are equipped and able to provide the campus with additional emergency response resources, should we experience a major emergency.