A Quick Reference to Bellingham’s Emergency Services and Their Locations

I work in Real Estate, and often times there are clients that want to know this information when they are choosing what house to purchase. It made me curious… Where are they located in proximity? I was quite surprised and delighted to find that luckily in Bellingham, we have access to a variety of essential services, such as hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, pretty well spaced apart. So, let’s take a closer look at the locations of emergency services in Bellingham and how their distance to local neighborhoods can impact response times and peace of mind.

List of services:

• Hospital (Emergency Care)

  • PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center | 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225

• Police Stations

  • Bellingham Police Department | 505 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

• Fire Stations

  • Bellingham Fire Department Station 1 | 1400 N. State St, Bellingham, WA 98225

  • Bellingham Fire Department Station 2 | 1590 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

  • Bellingham Fire Department Station 3 | 1111 Billy Frank Jr. St, Bellingham, WA 98225

  • South Whatcom Fire Authority | 2050 Lake Whatcom Blvd, Bellingham, WA 98229

• Animal Services & Emergency Care

  • Animal Control & Rescue - (360) 733-2080 x 3017

  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, assistance with injured and orphaned wildlife. | (360) 966-8845

    • If you haven’t already — You should read my story about rescuing an owl!

  • The Whatcom Humane Society | 2172 Division St, Bellingham, WA 98226 | (360) 733-2080

  • Animal Emergency Care (AEC) | 4176 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98226 | (360) 997-1663

Hospitals in Bellingham

Bellingham is home to a few key hospitals that serve the surrounding communities. The primary hospital in the city is PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, located near the downtown area. I haven’t ever visited them as a patient, but I have as an interviewee and as a writer one time when I wrote a story about a cardio doctor, everyone was very helpful and kind. Its central location at 2901 Squalicum Parkway, it's easily accessible from neighborhoods like Fairhaven, South Hill, and downtown Bellingham.

• Fairhaven: Residents in Fairhaven are only about a 10-minute drive from PeaceHealth St. Joseph, making it a convenient and quick route to emergency care.

• South Hill and Downtown: For those in South Hill or downtown, St. Joseph’s is just a few minutes away by car or even a quick bike ride, ensuring that help is close when it's needed.

I’ve also learned for more specialized care, Northwest Regional Heart Center and other outpatient clinics also offer quick access, located in proximity to major arterial roads and residential areas.

Police Stations in Bellingham

The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) has it’s central police station located at 505 Grand Ave, just a short distance from downtown Bellingham. This location serves as a hub for emergency response, crime prevention, and public safety operations.

• Downtown Bellingham: Those living in downtown or nearby neighborhoods are in excellent proximity to the police station, with just a short 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk to reach the department. This allows for swift law enforcement presence if an emergency arises.

• Fairhaven and South Bellingham: For residents in these neighborhoods, the police station is only about 10 minutes by car, which ensures that BPD can respond quickly to incidents throughout the city.

When accidents happen, I have been impressed with the swiftness of the BPD team that have appeared, took control and cared for those who were injured or in trouble. It feels like they are ready to respond around the clock and from my experience the BPD has shown it is committed to the safety of its residents. That said, there are plenty of folks who have different experiences, so it’s good idea to read more about interactions, altercations, and so on.

Fire Stations in Bellingham

Bellingham’s fire protection comes from several strategically located fire stations. The main fire station, Station 1, is located at 1400 N. State St, close to the downtown area. There are additional stations serving neighborhoods across the city to provide timely fire and rescue services.

• Downtown Bellingham: Residents here have quick access to Station 1, just minutes away by car. In case of emergencies, the central location of the station ensures a rapid response.

• South Bellingham: Residents living in neighborhoods like the Lettered Streets, South Hill, or Sehome can expect a response time of about 5–10 minutes. The nearby Station 2, located on S. State Street, provides coverage for the southern portion of the city.

• North Bellingham: For those residing in the northern neighborhoods, such as Barkley, there is Station 3 located at 801 W. Bakerview Rd, offering quick access in case of fire or emergency response.

With multiple stations spread throughout the city, Bellingham's fire department ensures that residents are never too far from assistance. It’s been pretty wild over the years living here the amount of massive fires that have consumes buildings like the old Feed store downtown and the Harris Cafe in Fairhaven. Yet, though both fires took place in massive brick buildings the firefighters and emergency services involved did a great job of keeping damage to a minimal and rescuing people (and animals) who were in danger and from spreading to most surrounding buildings.

The Impact of Proximity to Emergency Services

As I get older, I’ve really come to appreciate the proximity of these emergency services as it is more than just a matter of convenience—it can make the difference in critical situations. The quicker emergency responders can reach a location, the better the outcomes for those in need, it’s pretty simple. Bellingham's well-distributed emergency services network ensures that no matter where you live, you’re never far from help.

• Response Time: Shorter response times mean better survival rates and reduced damage in emergencies, whether it’s a medical crisis, fire, or public safety threat.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing that hospitals, police stations, and fire stations are close by offers residents peace of mind, especially in areas prone to natural disasters or accidents.

In Summary ~ We're well-covered for now!

Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to Bellingham, knowing the location of emergency services and how far they are from your neighborhood is an important part of staying informed. With hospitals, police, and fire stations spread across the city, we can all rest easy knowing that help is just a few minutes away when it’s needed most. 

Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and know the best routes to access these services in an emergency. Have numbers listed in an accessible spot and know their locations in case of an emergency (or your phone dies, or power goes out, or internet is down). And of course, if you're ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to call 911—it’s a service that’s always there for you.