The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, or DFPC, conducted a survey that included 239 of the 340 fire departments across the state. It discovered that the needs of these departments total over $40 million.
Every two years DFPC completes a needs assessment of Colorado fire departments. Every eight years, the department conducts an extensive survey with a more focused survey taking place every two years.
In 2022, an extensive survey went out to all 340 fire departments across the state with only 239 taking part. The survey consisted of 103 questions that determined the departments’ current resource capacity and training needs.
Overall, departments reported that personnel was the top priority. The survey results discovered that the state needs an additional 1.085 career firefighters and 1,327 volunteers over the next two years. Some areas of expertise needed included fire investigators, hazmat technicians and firefighters with wildland training.
“Sixty-four percent of departments indicated they do not anticipate having the funding for these additional personnel,” the survey results stated.
Training was also a concern for the fire departments. While Colorado does not mandate that firefighters hold any certifications to hold the job, many departments do in order to earn the trust of their communities. The firefighters seeking training also run into other challenges, especially volunteer firefighters, such as having enough time, access to training facilities, cost and access to instructors.
“One important part of any firefighter training program is the ability to train with live fire,” the survey results stated. In Colorado, only 28% of fire departments have their own live fire training facilities, while 44 departments reported not having any access. Most departments have to travel at least 30 to 50 miles in order to access such a facility.
“No firefighter should be put into a real fire emergency without having the opportunity to train with fire first,” the results read.
Equipment and apparatus were another concern for departments with 81% stating they have concerns with a lack of apparatus, aging equipment or apparatus that needs to be replaced. The same percentage of departments reported they lack funds to fix, maintain or replace equipment.
Another concern for firefighters is contaminated Personal Protective Equipment such as SCBA masks and gear. Only 68% of fire departments have access to an extractor — a machine that cleans the gear without stripping it of its protective qualities. Other departments would like to invest in second gear to allow for the use of one while the other is washing. Colorado fire departments would need a total of 3,188 second sets of gear that would cost $5,763,904.
“Based on the results of this survey, the Colorado Fire Service has needs that far exceed their current funding. This has not yet limited their ability to meet the needs of their constituents, however, without the funding to add personnel, update apparatus and equipment, and adequate training the firefighters are at risk,” the survey result report states.