Hi everyone! I hope your New Year is off to a great start!
I just wanted to take a moment to share some updates from us here at Front Range Fire Rescue (FRFR) and let you in on what's coming up.
First off, I want to share some bittersweet news: last month, I told the FRFR team that I'll be retiring from the fire service come June. It's an exciting new chapter for me, but I will truly miss being a part of this amazing team. My time at FRFR has been nothing short of incredible, and I'm so grateful for the support from all of you in our community. After over 40 years in this field, the last six years at FRFR have been incredibly close to my heart. Our Board of Directors is currently searching for our next fire chief from within our talented team, thanks to our strong succession plan that's prepared us well for this moment. I'm confident that FRFR is ready to tackle whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead!
On top of my news, there's a lot happening at FRFR this year. With our growing community, we're seeing more emergency responses, building inspections, and new developments that need our attention. To keep up with the increasing demands, we've added 12 new positions to our department! We're excited to announce that we've created a hiring list for 2025 and received over 200 applicants. It's tough to choose from such a fantastic group, but we're committed to finding the best fit for our team!
We've also been proud to lend a helping hand to our neighbors during significant fires this year. The Alexander Mountain Fire really stood out, and we even traveled out of state for a few wildfire incidents. Additionally, we've strengthened our automatic aid agreements, which means that when someone calls for help, the closest fire company will respond, no matter which agency they belong to. So far, we have partnered with six surrounding agencies and will keep building these relationships to better serve our communities.
Finally, we're wrapping up some important documents, including our updated Strategic Plan. This plan will guide us in maintaining and enhancing our services over the next five years. Rest assured, we are dedicated to continuing to provide excellent service and staying ahead of the growth we're all experiencing in Northern Colorado. Thanks for being such an important part of our journey! We appreciate your support and look forward to what's next.
Yours in service,
J. Michael West
Fire Chief
