South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board Chair Jim Albee provides an overview of the funding challenges and needs faced by our organization.

SMFR Battalion 1 teamed up with Douglas County Emergency Management and trained alongside a Type 2 helicopter to sharpen our wildfire response skills and emergency preparedness. Here's why this matters beyond the training itself: The biggest loss of life and property over the last 5 to 10 years has been wildfire. Wildfires are our community’s #1 natural hazard The County just invested $1.53 million to keep the helicopter in this training ready for action. It can drop 300 gallons of water to support firefighters on the ground. In 2024, the helicopter responded to 32 wildfires — 22 of those in Douglas County Training like this saves lives, homes, and entire neighborhoods when every second counts.

At SMFR, the Fleet Division is more than just maintenance — it’s the internal 911 that keeps the wheels turning, literally. This team of 16 dedicated professionals—including emergency vehicle technicians, parts experts, management, and support staff—works behind the scenes to ensure that when a call comes in, every truck starts, stops, pumps, and arrives safely. While firefighters are the ones seen on the front lines, it’s the Fleet Division that ensures their apparatus is ready the moment the tones drop.

SMFR's dive rescue operations received a major enhancement with the deployment of Dive 19. This new unit replaces Dive 16, which will now serve in a logistics role to support department-wide operations. Dive 19 is now stationed at Station 19 off Wadsworth Blvd, placing it directly across from Chatfield State Park and enabling faster response times during critical water emergencies.

After a rebuild, SMFR shares an exciting look at the of newly rebuilt SMFR Station 15 in Centennial, CO. Station 15 has a long tradition of service and has been rebuilt with community safety, tax dollars, and our firefighters’ wellness at the forefront.

SMFR launched an inaugural three-day Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) initial certification course at the South Metro Fire Rescue Regional Training Center. This course, designed to provide comprehensive training in aircraft firefighting, is open to local and regional fire departments, helping ensure that emergency responders are fully equipped to handle emergencies at airports and beyond.

This real-life event highlights the importance of knowing hands-only CPR and having access to AEDs in schools and public places. SMFR encourages more people to learn CPR, as cardiac events can happen anywhere, at any time.

SMFR introduced the fleet's first tractor drawn aerial that went in service at Station 34 in Lone Tree, CO in September 2024. This tiller, known as Ladder 34, replaced both Tower 34 and Heavy Rescue 34. Both pieces of apparatus were scheduled to be replaced to meet SMFR’s goal of replacing special operations apparatus at the 20+ year mark. Instead of needing two replacements that would cost the department millions of dollars, South Metro combined two pieces of apparatus into one with the new tiller. Ladder 34 is the first tractor drawn aerial to be seen on Denver Metro Area roadways in 20 years.

This video details SMFR's comprehensive response plan to ensure the safety and well-being of over 30,000 visitors in attendance at the final rounds of the prestigious BMW Championship at Castle Pines Country Club.