West Metro Fire Rescue

09/05/2026

You may see West Metro firefighters out in the community this weekend with boots in hand- for a good cause.
It’s time for Fill the Boot, the annual tradition supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
For decades, firefighters across the country have partnered with MDA to help fund research, care and support for children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases.
West Metro firefighters are proud to be part of that tradition.
If you see our crews out collecting donations, stop by, say hello and- if you’d like- help us Fill the Boot.
Every dollar adds up. Every donation makes a difference.
Thank you for supporting MDA and the families they serve.

Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy Association is LIVE! Firefighters are going to be seen throughout the district from 9/2 - 9/7 collecting donations and connecting with the community.

Thank you for showing up and supporting this firefighter tradition. Every dollar raised today helps provide resources, care, and progress toward treatments for neuromuscular disease.

Stop by and see us 💪 International Association of Fire Fighters

09/04/2026

Firefighters train for fires. But they also train for everything else.
West Metro is an all-hazards agency. That means our crews respond to medical emergencies, crashes, technical rescues, wildfires, water emergencies- and plenty of calls that don't fit neatly into a category.
That’s why training has to cover a lot of ground. And sometimes, a lot of water.
Members of West Metro’s Dive Team regularly train on the skills they need for water rescue and recovery operations- so firefighters are ready for whatever the next call brings.

09/03/2026

UPDATE: September 3, 2026
We have another update to share on West Metro Firefighter/Paramedic Jarrod Leonard, who was injured in a fall during technical rescue training near Morrison on July 29.
Today- Jarrod moved from a transitional care facility to a Denver-area neurological rehabilitation facility, the next step in his care. He and his wife Monica were escorted by West Metro Medic 16, along with the crew on Truck 14.
At the neurological rehabilitation facility, Jarrod will continue receiving specialized care and therapy as he works toward the next milestones in his recovery.
Jarrod still has a long road ahead, but we’re glad to share that he has reached this next step.
We continue to be grateful for the support and well wishes for Jarrod and his family from our community and from our fire and law enforcement partners.
We’ll continue to share updates on Jarrod’s progress when we can.

09/02/2026

West Metro voters will decide Ballot Issue 7C this November.
The West Metro Fire Protection District Board of Directors has voted to place a three-quarters of a percent (0.75%) sales tax measure on the November ballot to address the District’s long-term funding needs and the rising cost of providing emergency services.
This issue is part of the November coordinated election. If you are registered to vote, you will get a mail-in ballot.
Find out more about 7C: https://www.westmetrofire.org/ballot-issue-7c-west-metro-district-election-2026

08/31/2026

Sticker shock is real. We don’t have to tell you that- prices are up everywhere.
You see it at the grocery store, when you pay for repairs or when it’s time to replace a vehicle.
West Metro is seeing it, too.
In 2018, West Metro paid $633,267 for a fire engine like this one. Today, a comparable new engine costs $1,384,099.
That’s nearly a 119% increase in nine years.
When we buy an engine, we get a lot of use out of it. At West Metro, an engine typically spends 20 years in front-line service, assigned to a station and responding to calls every day, followed by another five years as a reserve.
That’s 25 years responding to fires, medical emergencies, crashes, rescues and other calls for help.
But eventually, every engine reaches the end of its service life. And when you consider rising prices across an entire fleet- not just fire engines, but ambulances and other emergency vehicles- the costs add up quickly.
That’s why we want our community to understand what it costs to provide emergency services, how long we use the equipment we purchase and how much those costs have changed.

08/30/2026

More than 100 people showed up Saturday- ready to put themselves to the test at the West Metro PAT Challenge.
The Physical Agility Test, or PAT, is designed around the physical demands firefighters face on the fireground, with tasks including hoisting hose packs, dragging a rescue dummy and pulling a charged hose line.
It’s also a test every West Metro firefighter has to pass- with a time of 5 minutes, 30 seconds or less.
Saturday’s competitors took on the course in three age categories:
🔥 18 - 28:
Male winner: Matthew Pelphrty - 4:46
Female winner: Promise Butler - 5:03

🔥 30 - 39
Male winner: Jacob Peterson - 4:36
Female winner: Christine Noble - 5:51

🔥 40+
Male winner: Eryn Ulmer - 4:49
Female winner: Whitney Wantuck - 8:14
Thanks to everyone who came out and took on the test!

08/27/2026

Like every profession, the fire service has its own language.
In this “Learn the Lingo,” we’re talking about prescribed fire.
Basically, it’s the planned use of fire under specific conditions to reduce vegetation (fuel) that could feed a wildfire. We call it “putting fire on the ground.”
Lt. Mike Worcester explains how prescribed fire works and why it’s an important tool for reducing wildfire risk.

08/26/2026

Fresh crew, same mission.
Four West Metro firefighters are headed to South Dakota to begin a severity assignment on the Black Hills National Forest, relieving the crew that's been there for the past two weeks.
The timing matters. Recent lightning has sparked several fires across the forest, and with elevated fire danger, having additional crews already in place means more resources are ready when a new start is reported.
For our firefighters, it's also an opportunity to work in different terrain and conditions, building skills and experience they can put to work on the next wildfire- whether that's hundreds of miles away or here at home.
One crew heading out. One crew heading home. Safe travels to both.

08/26/2026

This year marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
And for the 18th year, thousands will come together at Red Rocks to honor the nearly 3,000 people killed that day- including 343 FDNY firefighters.
More than 2,000 people took part in the Colorado 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb last year, climbing in memory of those who were lost and raising money to support the families of fallen firefighters.
This year, will you climb with us?

Join us for the Colorado 9/11 Stair Climb, a charity event honoring heroes and supporting FDNY fundraising efforts. Register now!

08/25/2026

Three crews. Three states. And plenty of wildfire experience coming back home.
Near Custer, South Dakota, our crew on the Black Hills National Forest has responded to several lightning-caused fires this week.
On Colorado’s Western Slope, our crew responded overnight to the Kimball Creek Fire on the Grand Mesa National Forest near Collbran. The fire is about two acres.
A third West Metro crew is on severity deployment in Big Bear, California.
Severity crews are positioned in areas where wildfire conditions are elevated, adding firefighters and equipment so resources are ready to respond quickly when new fires start.
These deployments also give our firefighters valuable experience working different terrain, fuels, weather and fire behavior, alongside crews from other agencies. They bring that experience home- adding to the skills and knowledge our crews can use when wildfire threatens our own community.