Fire Rescue Operations

About the Fire Rescue Operations Division

About the Fire Rescue Operations Division

Welcome to the LFRA Fire Rescue Operations Division, where we proudly serve our community with dedication and expertise.

Service Area and Community

Covering an area of 187 square miles, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the 109,000 citizens in our community. In 2023, our team responded to 11,484 calls for service, an increase from 10,905 calls in 2022, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our community.

Our Team and Facilities

Our division operates out of 10 fire stations, staffed by a dedicated team that includes 1 Assistant Fire Chief, 3 Shift Battalion Chiefs, 7 Captains, 26 Shift Lieutenants, 33 Shift Engineers, and 33 Firefighters. We maintain nine companies that are staffed 24/7, including six engine companies, one heavy rescue company, one aerial tower truck company, and one squad company (quick response vehicle) with two personnel. We also have an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) assigned to a Monday–Friday schedule to provide the FAA-required standby coverage for scheduled flights.

Certifications and Training

To ensure the highest level of service, our team members are required to hold various certifications based on their rank or position. These include Firefighter 1 and 2, Fire Officer levels 1 through 3, Fire Instructor levels 1 through 3, and specialized certifications in hazardous materials operations, technician, and specialist roles. Additionally, our team members are trained as Driver-Operators, with specific qualifications for pumper and aerial operations, as well as Aircraft Rescue Firefighter and Blue Card Incident Commander certifications. Wildland Firefighting skills are honed through various courses and task books in Firefighter, Squad Boss, Faller, Engine Boss, Strike Team Leader, Task Force Leader, Incident Commander Type 4 & 5, and all team members are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Leadership roles require further credentials, including Fire Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Chief Fire Officer certifications from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).

Volunteer Force

Our volunteer force is an integral part of our operations, with two volunteer fire stations located in Drake and Storm Mountain. Currently, 14 volunteer firefighters support our efforts, with six positions open for those interested in joining our team.

Automatic Aid Response Partners

Collaboration with response partners is crucial to our success. Our automatic aid response partners include Berthoud Fire Protection District, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Front Range Fire Rescue, Poudre Fire Authority, and Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue. Together, we are committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. 

Response Partners

We work closely with Thompson Valley EMS, Loveland Emergency Communications Center, Loveland Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Larimer County Emergency Services, Colorado State Patrol, Johnstown Police Department, Northern Colorado Bomb Squad, Colorado Task Force 1, and Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department.

Mutual Aid Response Partners

Our mutual aid response partners include Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, Lyons Fire Protection District, Mountain View Fire Rescue, Wellington Fire Protection District, Laramie County Fire District Number 2, Greeley Fire Department, Evans Fire Protection District, Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District, Eaton Fire Protection District, LaSalle Fire Protection District, Longmont Fire Department, and Platte Valley Fire Protection District.

All Hazards Response

Finally, our all-hazards response capabilities encompass a wide range of services, including structural firefighting, basic life support emergency medical response, vehicle extrication, wildland firefighting, and various rescue operations such as dive, water, or ice rescue, high and low angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, collapse rescue, trench rescue, and large animal rescue. We also provide hazardous materials response and tactical fire-rescue support for law enforcement incidents, and we utilize drone operations to enhance our response capabilities. Thank you for your support!