National EMS Week 2026 National EMS Week was held from May 17th to May 23rd, 2026. The annual event, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year, recognizes the vital contributions of emergency medical service professionals and thanks paramedics and emergency medical technicians for providing lifesaving care across the country. 5280Fire.com picked several photos from our archives to honor the …
Ranger Excellence School The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources held their 2026 Ranger Excellence School in Estes Park from May 18th, 2026 through May 22nd, 2026. Participants attended sessions on defensive driving, Spanish, self defense, crisis intervention and pepper spray certification. The week culminated with mock scenarios in Hermit Park on May 22, 2026, Rangers from Aspen, Boulder County, …
South Adams Starts Ambulance Service The South Adams County Fire Department began an in-house ambulance service in March of 2026. A 2025 Ford F-550 is in service at Station 28 in Reunion. A twin is expected to be put in service later this year and two more next year. The Department hired six single role paramedics to staff the new …
Denver ARFF Recertification The Denver Fire Department held a recertification class for outside agencies at the Denver International Airport’s ARFF Training Facility on May 21st, 2026. The class worked on extinguishing fires from ARFF vehicles and hose lines in order to meet their annual FAA recertification requirements. Firefighters from the Grand Junction Regional Airport, Montrose Regional Airport and Northern Colorado …
Active Shooter Training Exercise The Hudson Fire Protection District held an active shooter training exercise at Vestas in Brighton on May 20th, 2026. The multidisciplinary, scenario-based training was designed to rapidly isolate and neutralize threats while integrating medical, fires and law enforcement personnel to minimize casualties. Hudson Fire, Fort Lupton Fire, Buckley SFB, Hudson Police, Keenesburg Police, Lochbuie Police, Weld County Emergency …
Eagle Airport ARFF Training The Eagle County Regional Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) Team conducted live fire training at the airport on May 19th, 2026. The crew participated in annual training using a propane-fueled mobile aircraft prop to provide a realistic training experience in a controlled environment. The training was provided by 139Fire who assists airports around the country with …
Eagle River Water Rescue Training The Eagle River Fire Protection District hosted water rescue training along the Eagle River near Bob The Bridge in Avon on May 19th, 2026. Crews spent their afternoon working on rope rescue work over the water. The Greater Eagle Fire Protection District and Vail Fire & Emergency Services also participated in the training.
Denver Technical Rescue Training The Denver Fire Department held a Technical Rescue Certification course at various locations around the city from May 11th, 2026 to May 22nd, 2026. The course covered topics such as high angle rescue, structural collapse, shoring techniques, breaking and breaching, trench rescue and confined space rescue. 5280Fire caught up with the class at the Denver Fire …
Station 5 Open House On May 16th, 2026 the Westminster Fire Department held their annual open house at Station 5, 10100 Garland St. with the local community coming out to enjoy food, learn safety tips, junior combat challenge, tour the fire apparatus, meet with first responders and ride on the 1956 Seagrave engine. Flight for Life was on hand with …
Colorado Fallen Firefighters Memorial On May 16th, 2026 the annual Colorado Fallen Firefighters Remembrance Ceremony was held to honor those who have died in the line of duty (LODD). The memorial began with the apparatus procession into the Lakewood Town Center. The memorial ceremony was held inside the Lakewood Cultural Center and then a walk to the memorial for a short …
Castle Rock E-Scooter Fire On May 16th, 2026 at 23:03 Castle Rock Fire Rescue Department and South Metro Fire Rescue responded to a reported multi-family structure fire in the 6200 block of Castlegate Drive West with multiple 911 callers to the Douglas Regional 911 Communications Center. Castle Rock Police Department units arrived on scene and officers reported fully engulfed room …
Manilla Road Vegetation Fire On May 16th, 2026, at approximately 14:15 Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue and the east area department were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire in the 7000 block of Manilla Road near the Colorado Air and Space Port. Heavy black smoke could be seen for several miles. Crews arrived on scene to find a fairly large vegetation fire …
Aurora Fire Safety Field Day Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue in conjunction with the Smoky Hill Rotary Club held a Public Safety Field Day at the City of Aurora Public Safety Center on May 16th, 2026. The public was invited out to meet with first responders, check out their equipment and learn valuable safety information. The event featured …
East Metro Fire Train Academy The East Metro Fire Training Academy completed week 6 at Sable Altura Fire Rescue on May 16th, 2026. The recruits working on hose advancement, nozzle control and repositioning.
Elizabeth Pancake Breakfast Elizabeth Fire Rescue held a pancake breakfast at Station 271 on May 16th, 2026. The community was invited out to meet with firefighters, check out the apparatus and enjoy breakfast. Proceeds are used by the Elizabeth Firefighters Community Foundation to benefit those in need within the community. Additional pancake breakfasts will be held on June 13th, July …
Sharpe Fire The Sharpe Fire is burning in Baca County, Colorado and started on May 16th, 2026 around 05:30 in Cimarron County, Oklahoma on the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands and crossed into Colorado on May 17th, 2026 around 21:17 with strong southwest winds and burning on the Comanche Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests. Firefighters are working …
Denver Vehicle vs House Around 13:00 on May 15th, 2026 Denver Fire Department was dispatched to an auto vs house on Holly St. at E. 9th Ave. Crews arrived to find a vehicle on fire that had ran into a house and caused significant damage. The collapse team was requested to the scene and started shoring up the residence. The …
Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day Boating enthusiasts across the country were encouraged to participate in National Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on May 15th, 2026. Participants were encouraged to wear a life jacket to work, post a photo on social media and tag the Safe Boating Campaign (@boatingcampaign) in an effort to promote water safety and …
Windsor Bayfront Drive Vegetation Fire At approximately 18:15 on May 14th, 2026 the Weld County Regional Communications Center dispatched Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue to a small vegetation fire south of Bayfront Drive moving southeast. Upon the arrival of fire crews they requested a second alarm vegetation fire due to the wind conditions, access and proximity to residential structures. Upon the arrival …
Thornton Hazmat Incident On May 14th, 2026 at approximately 11:00 Thornton Fire Department responded to for a hazardous materials incident in the 15100 block of Grant St. Crews arrived in the area of 152nd Ave. & Grant Street and found an dumping of a unknown hazardous spill. Departments from the Adams/Broomfield HAZMAT Authority was requested. Crews started air monitoring the …