Arvada Fire

Congratulations to the 14 young ladies who recently attended and graduated from Camp Ember! Hosted by Arvada Fire and West Metro Fire Rescue, Camp Ember is a 3-day camp designed to introduce young women ages 16-18 to the world of firefighting.

The camp is made possible by women in the fire service who are looking to give back, develop, and inspire the next generation of women firefighters.

Make no mistake, these girls get after it! They participated in auto extrication, forcibly entry, hydrant operations, advanced search and hose movement, and more. The real magic of the camp is the confidence these girls build, the mentorship they receive, and the inspiration to challenge themselves and pursue their career goals.

Great work, ladies!

At approximately 3:31 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, Jeffcom 911 received multiple calls about a structure fire in the 7100 block of Dover Way in Arvada. Callers reported hearing a loud bang before seeing smoke and fire from a residence. While responding, Engine 53 reported a large column of black smoke visible from several blocks away.

First-arriving units confirmed a working structure fire with heavy fire involvement in the garage and flames showing from both the Alpha (front) and Charlie (rear) sides of the home. A first alarm response force was on scene and a fire attack in the offensive strategy was initiated. Engine 53 and 51 worked on fire control, while Engine 55 established a water supply and conducted a search with Tower 57.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire, smoke and heat conditions in the garage and first floor of the residence while working in hot weather conditions. Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and self-evacuated. One individual was evaluated on scene. At 3:55 PM, crews declared the fire under control.

Our investigators also responded to the scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation is currently ongoing. Thanks to Arvada Police Department, Colorado and West Metro Fire Rescue for their assistance on scene.

Units on scene: BC1, BC52, BUR52, BUR54, BUR55, E51, E53, E55, E56, M54, M55, M57, PIO52, PIO54, PIO55, SAM51, TK54, TK57

Arvada Fire recently donated a reserve fire engine to the Warren Tech Fire Science Program. This 2007 Pierce Contender fire engine served Arvada Fire as a frontline apparatus for 10 years and as a reserve for nearly another 10 years.

Following our apparatus replacement plan, this pumper was at the end of its useful life for the fire district. However, we knew it could be repurposed to serve a new role, and we saw none better than providing educational and developmental opportunities for aspiring firefighters in Warren Tech's program.

Our fleet team handed the keys over to Warren Tech last week. We're proud of our partnership with them and are always looking for ways to support the next generation of firefighters and fire service professionals.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity kind of like a big scavenger hunt or hide and seek where participants use GPS to navigate and find hidden containers called caches. We have these containers hidden away outside or near most of our fire stations. Inside, the caches are filled with things like fire department stickers or fire safety information. It's a fun way for us to share some fire safety!

Over the weekend, Retha visited Station 59 near Candelas and discovered her 1,000th geocache. Congratulations and thanks for visiting, Retha!

🍔 Have plans to fire up the grill this weekend? Keep in mind that June and July are the peak months for grill fires in the U.S. A few simple safety tips will help prevent your burgers, or house, from being burnt!

• When your grill is in use, it should be in an open space away from anything that might catch fire such as siding, deck railing, or tree branches.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.

Nearly one-quarter of grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or open porch. About 20% of time, grill fires are started in uncleaned grills.

📸 We haven't done this in a while... it's time for a .

This is our fleet at Station 1 in 1956— about 70 years ago! We've changed (both the city and the fire district) quite a bit since then, but we're always proud of our firefighting history.

The apparatus bay at Station 54 looks a bit like a science fair this week with chemicals, experiments, and model training tools on tables. No, this isn't a school project... It's our annual hazardous materials training!

This year, hazmat training involved scenarios based on real-world incidents across several different training stations. All of our firefighters will rotate through this training, putting their skills and knowledge to the test while thinking through each scenario.

Hazardous materials can be found all over. The cleaning materials in your closet, the fuel or materials being carried on roadways and railroads, or the fertilizer in your garage are all examples of hazardous materials. When these materials are involved in accidents, spills, explosions or injuries, they can become very complex and dangerous incidents. Among many roles, firefighters must isolate the area, test and identify the substance, monitor conditions, and contain the material, all while ensuring their own safety and the safety of the public.

Needless to say, these emergencies involve a lot of specialized protective equipment, tools, and knowledge. By practicing this training annually, our crews stay prepared to respond quickly, safely, and effectively when these types of emergencies occur in our community.

🚒

❗DONATIONS NEEDED ❗

Dave's Locker, our free medical equipment closet, is currently in need of wheelchair and transport chair donations. These donations help provide essential mobility equipment to both individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to them.

If you have any equipment that is no longer being used and is in good condition, please consider donating it! Any donation helps and can make a meaningful difference in improving someone's safety and quality of life.

Dave’s Locker:
7903 Allison Way
Arvada, CO 80005

Open weekdays | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Questions or arranging a donation? Call (720) 624-6486.

Thank you for supporting our community! Last year, Dave's Locker loaned out more than 10,000 pieces of medical equipment. Donations make this amazing program possible!

Our water rescue stations recently conducted boat operations and water rescue training out at Arvada Reservoir. Crews practiced a variety of rescues and sharpened their skills with the equipment and techniques that are called upon when we respond to water rescue incidents.

Our district has several reservoirs, ponds, and swift water creeks like Clear Creek where water rescues are possible. There's also the potential for flash flooding, too. No matter where the call is located, continuous training ensures our firefighters are ready to respond quickly and efficiently to save lives.

When it comes to open water recreation activities, we have two life-saving tips to share:

1. Summer weather conditions in Colorado change rapidly. In many rescues, the victims began recreating when conditions were ideal (calm and sunny), before thunderstorms arrived suddenly with strong winds, rain, and choppy water conditions. Always check the forecast before getting on the water, and be prepared to get out at the first sign of storms or worsening conditions.

2. Always, always recreate with a life jacket. No exceptions. Ensure the life jacket is the right type for the activity, is U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and fits the user. In many rescues, the victim believed they were too strong of a swimmer for a life jacket, or that the conditions didn't necessitate the protection.

Have a safe summer on the water! If you need us, we're only one phone call away. For more safety tips, check the article in the comments.

A system-wide test of the Lookout Alert emergency notification system will be conducted on Wednesday, June 3. The test will include Wireless Emergency Alerts, also known as WEA, and will begin in the morning. Residents may also receive test messages by text, email, and voice.

This is only a test. No action is needed. The test is being carried out to confirm emergency notification readiness and delivery, ensuring the system is working as intended.

Lookout Alert is the official emergency notification system of our service area. Residents are strongly encouraged to register and select your preferences and contact information. Doing so takes less than 5 minutes and ensures you'll be notified in the event of an emergency!

📲lookoutalert.co