John Simpson Retirement On July 14th, 2026 Arvada Fire Protection District Battalion Chief John Simpson retired after 40 years of dedicated service. Friends, family and fellow firefighters gathered at Station 53 to honor the 40 year career of and to celebrate his career and his retirement. Simpson started his career at the Rocky Flats Fire Department in 1990 and served …
Calhan Pancake Breakfast The Calhan Fire Protection District held their annual pancake breakfast on July 12th, 2026. The community was invited out to meet with firefighters, check out their apparatus and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast before heading across Highway 24 to the opening day of the El Paso County Fair. AirLife, Flight for Life and the El Paso-Teller 911Authority …
Station 16 Open House On July 11th, 2026 West Metro Fire Rescue held an open house at Station 16, 3880 Upham St. in Wheat Ridge. The local community came out to meet up with the firefighters, learn more about the department, tour the station and the fire engines. Station 16 is the former home to the Wheat Ridge Fire Protection …
Station 7 Open House On July 11th, 2026 West Metro Fire Rescue held an open house at Station 7, 6315 Mississippi Ave. in Lakewood. The local community came out to tour the station, explore the fire engines, meet up with the firefighters and learn more about the people who respond when you call 911. Station 7 was dedicated in 2008 …
Boulder Rural Badge Ceremony On July 10th, 2026 Boulder Rural Fire Rescue welcomed three new firefighters to membership in the department. Daniel Kravets, Rob Prehn and Mathew Garcia have each completed their academy training and now being their probationary year. After brief remarks by Chief Kauffman each new firefighter was sworn in by a member of the board of directors …
Pancake Breakfast & Parade The annual Indian Hills Fire Rescue held their annual “Fourth of July” pancake breakfast was held on July 4th, 2026 at their Fire Station. The community came out to enjoy the pancake breakfast cooked by the firefighters, a 5K fun run, the auto extrication demonstration, Air Life Helicopter Fly-in followed by the the famous water parade. …
4th of July Pancake Breakfast The Security Fire Department held their annual pancake breakfast at Station 1 on July 4th, 2026. The community was invited to meet with firefighters, check out apparatus from several agencies and enjoy breakfast. Proceeds from the breakfast benefit local firefighters. Cimarron Hills Fire Department, Colorado Springs Utilities, El Paso County Search and Rescue, Ellicott Volunteer …
Rope Rescue Training Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue conducted rope rescue training at Trupp Park in Bennett on July 3rd, 2026. The crew from Station 91 (A shift) spent part of their afternoon honing their skills should they be needed for a real emergency.
Byers Spaghetti Dinner The Byers Fire Protection District held their annual spaghetti dinner on July 3rd, 2026 at Station 71. The community was invited out to meet with firefighters, check out the apparatus and enjoy a nice spaghetti diner. The Department collected donations to assist fallen firefighters and the Department. For more information on future events, check out the 5280Fire …
National Wildland Firefighter Day National Wildland Firefighter Day is celebrated annually on July 2nd to honor the bravery, sacrifice and dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. Established in 2022 by the Fire Management Board, the day falls within the annual Week of Remembrance (June 30 to July 6). It is a time to thank federal, state, local, tribal, and …
Denver Pridefest The 2026 Denver Pridefest was held in downtown Denver on June 28th, 2026. Several public safety agencies including the American Red Cross, Apex Paramedics, Colorado State Patrol, Denver Animal Control, Denver Fire Department, Denver Health, Denver Local 858 and Denver Parks and Recreation participated in the parade from Cheeseman Park to the 16th Street Mall. Other agencies including …
Live Fire Proctor Practical Sable Altura Fire Rescue hosted a 1403 Live Fire Proctor Practical at their training facility on June 27, 2026. About a dozen firefighters participated in the event in order to proctor live fire practical’s to future recruits. Firefighters from Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue, Byers Fire Protection District, Crested Butte Fire Protection District, Evergreen Fire Protection District, Falcon …
Live Fire Practical The East Metro Fire Training Academy held their live fire practical at Sable Altura Fire Rescue on June 27th, 2026. The practical evaluates a firefighter’s ability to to operate safely and effectively in a real structural fire environment. The recruits move into hazmat training after the July 4th holiday.
Fire Academy JPR Skills Testing The East Metro Fire Training Academy conducted JPR skills testing at Sable Altura Fire Rescue on June 24th, 2026. JPRs (Job Performance Requirements) are used to conduct hands-on skills evaluations and verify certifications. The recruits are scheduled for their live fire practical later in the week.
Wildland Fire Management Team After a voter approved ballot measure in 2024, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Wildland Fire Management Program is taking shape. The measure approved the purchase of equipment and the hiring of 37 team members to assist with suppression, mitigation and prevention efforts. The suppression team is now occupying the old Morrison Police Department Building at 321 Hwy. …
South Metro Dive Team Training South Metro Fire Rescue conducted dive team training on June 22nd, 2026. Dive 31, Boat 31, Medic 31, Medic 33 and Safety 2 conducted training at Cherry Creek State Park in the morning while Dive 19, Boat 19, Medic 12 and Safety 1 conducted training at Chatfield State Park in the afternoon. The Dive Team …
Station 3 Grand Opening On June 20th, 2026 the Timberline Fire Protection District held a grand opening celebration ceremony of their new Station 3, 19126 Hwy, 119 in Rollinsville with a ribbon cutting and dedication. The community came out to tour the station and the observation deck, meet up the first responder, enjoy hot dogs and burgers. The new station …
Live Burn Training The East Metro Fire Training Academy conducted live burn training at Sable Altura Fire Rescue on June 20th, 2026. The recruits used the opportunity to hone their skills as they prepare for their JPR Skills Testing next week.
Cops And Bobbers The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Highlands Ranch Metro District hosted Cops and Bobbers at Fly’n B Park on June 20th, 2026. Local kids were invited out to fish with deputies in an effort to strengthen the Department’s relationships with the community. For more information on future events, check out the 5280Fire Calendar.
Operator Pumper Course The week of June 15th, 2026, 10 students from across Eagle County including Eagle River Fire Protection District, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, Gypsum Fire Protection District and Vail Fire & Emergency Services came together for a five-day driver operator pumper course. The course was led by Eagle River Fire Protection District and was primarily coordinated by Richard …