Aurora Fire Rescue

September 11. Two towers. 110 flights. 343 firefighters. 23 years. On the morning of the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 343 local and out-of-state firefighters gathered in Denver to participate in the 9/11 Memorial Denver Stair Climb -- an event that commemorates the 343 firefighters who perished on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center in New York City. Aurora Fire Rescue had the second-largest representation at this event. Among the 343 participants from the fire service were 24 AFR members, who climbed 110 flights of stairs while wearing nearly 100 pounds of head-to-toe firefighter protective gear, including air packs, helmets, masks and heavy tools. Each participant climbs for a fallen firefighter no longer with us, completing their mission. This Stair Climb is only open to firefighters and is not a race. Established in 2005, this highly physical and emotional feat – which for experienced firefighters takes about an hour to complete -- serves as a poignant reminder of the 343 firefighters who responded to their last call that fateful morning. Their courage and sacrifice, as well as the memory of the thousands of lives lost on that tragic day, resonates deeply within the fire service and beyond. Their heroism exemplifies the highest ideal of public service, and events like the 9/11 Memorial Denver Stair Climb serve to honor their courage and sacrifice. Since the 9/11 attacks, over 11,000 firefighters who survived live with World Trade Center-related diseases, and over 3,500 have been diagnosed with various cancers. Aurora Fire Rescue is proud to participate in the Stair Climb each year. We have participated every year since 2007. Every year that we've been involved, we've carried the title of highest attendance, except this year. Thornton Fire had three more participants than us this year. This year was the first year that the AFR Honor Guard led the opening ceremonies. The Stair Climb is an opportunity to pay tribute to the fallen and honor those who still suffer from 9/11-related repercussions. The bravery and sacrifice of our first responder community, our firefighter brothers and sisters, and their families and loved ones will never be forgotten. We celebrate their memory and the price they paid for the sake of others. By this we know love, that they laid down their lives for us, and we ought to do the same for others. We will "Never Forget." https://lnkd.in/gusYNTAe

Please join us in pausing today to honor the memory of the 343 FDNY firefighters and nearly 3000 Americans who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Gone but never forgotten.

Open and honest conversations help to prevent suicides. In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day today, let's talk about the importance of opening up and working through the emotional and mental health struggles that firefighters and other first responders face as a result of their profession. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation estimates 100-200 firefighters die by suicide each year - double the rate of the general population. AFR encourages our members to open up and get help whenever they are struggling by accessing confidential resources such as Peer Support, free therapy services from clinical therapists who specialize in working with first responders, the Employee Assistance Program and addiction and rehabilitation services for treatment and recovery services, with no risk of termination from employment or consideration for promotion. Let's take care of each other by learning suicide warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change.

Aurora Fire Rescue has begun a new tradition in the past few years by celebrating member retirements with a walk-off ceremony to mark the firefighter’s final walk through the apparatus bay. Last week we honored Battalion Chief Matthew Jepkes with a walk-off ceremony and celebrated his astounding 41 years of service to the city of Aurora. Chief Jepkes’ legacy has impacted countless lives through his dedication to service and expertise, mentoring and leadership. He holds strong values and principles, and he displayed and unwavering commitment to creating a positive work environment and doing a good job. Every 911 call for help was an opportunity for him to make a difference and ride on a fire truck! AFR hired Matt in 1983 as an apprentice. He became a paramedic in 1992 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1995. As Lieutenant, Matt spent most of his time working in the busiest part of the city on Engine 1 and Engine 2. Matt was promoted to Captain in 2004, becoming one of AFR’s Medical Branch supervisors. That same year, Matt earned the Eagle Award for outstanding performance. After working as a Medical Supervisor, Matt was assigned to work at Fire Station 4 and Fire Station 7, where he continued providing exceptional service to the community. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2011, working in all three AFR Battalions. In 2023, Chief Jepkes earned the Joe Lewand Award for outstanding professionalism in the fire service. Chief Jepkes was recognized for exceptional job performance, leadership and teamwork. Chief Jepkes is not just a leader but also an inspiration. He instills confidence in everyone who follows him into a fire. He led by example, with humility and was a role model for all. His 41 years of service is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving others, even at the cost to him and his family. His service to Aurora often meant missing birthdays, Christmas celebrations, and family events. Chief Jepkes impacted thousands throughout his career, saving the lives of community members and influencing fellow firefighters. His legacy will surely live on for generations at AFR. AFR would like to wish Chief Jepkes a fond farewell. He will be missed, and we hope he enjoys his well-earned retirement.

For the first time, Aurora Fire Rescue will provide NFPA-compliant physicals for firefighters, in addition to comprehensive cancer screenings, through a newly awarded federal grant. The grant totaling more than $420,000 is provided under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and is the largest of its kind awarded to AFR in recent years. Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today, according to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. AFR has experienced two line-of-duty deaths caused by cancer, two cancer-related medical retirements and a medical retirement caused by a serious cardiovascular issue. Several AFR members have been treated for cardiovascular-related issues and many are currently battling cancer on the job. While AFR provides entry-level physicals for all suppression personnel as a condition of pre-employment and offers annual physicals and immunizations through its insurance provider, the grant funding enables AFR to provide more comprehensive physicals that meet NFPA 1582 standards and cancer screenings aimed at early detection and prevention of major diseases before they reach catastrophic levels. Retired AFR Firefighter Mike Ackman shared the personal impacts that cancer and other work-related illnesses have had on him and his fellow family members and friends in the fire service. https://lnkd.in/gvp2uxf5

Not many mayors would join in a fire academy workout, but Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman joined in the first-day workout with Aurora Fire Rescue’s newest recruits. These 21 recruits are scheduled to complete the academy at the end of January 2025. This is the first time that the Mayor has joined in an academy workout. After the workout, the Mayor said, "It's tough, but it's got to be tough to prepare them for the job that's ahead of them." City of Aurora https://lnkd.in/gvgVJ5_n

You may see a different ambulance unit around Aurora but it's not being used to pick up patients. The black Aurora Fire Rescue vehicle is a donated ambulance that we've repurposed for use as a mobile training lab for our firefighters and paramedics. The Sim Lab will travel to AFR stations to enable our crew members to practice medical care exercises under real-world prehospital care conditions. Learn more in this story that was featured on Aurora Now. To learn about other news in Aurora, watch the full episode of Aurora Now at https://lnkd.in/gQQC4m7S.

Congratulations to the 16 Aurora Fire Rescue fire academy recruits who responded on approximately 45 simulated but realistic emergencies during Aurora Fire Rescue Night. The call list for the night resembles both the range and frequency of calls that firefighters are called to on any given shift at AFR, one of the busiest fire departments in the nation. A graduation ceremony for these recruits will be held at 6 p.m. MST this Thursday, August 8, to mark the completion of their 22 weeks of training and coursework which began in February. Thanks Performance Code, LLC for the video! https://lnkd.in/ghfPsTTt

On nearly every call that Aurora Fire Rescue responds to, the EMTs and paramedics at our ambulance partner, Falck Rocky Mountain, are right there with us, selflessly caring for others, providing excellent medical care and saving lives. Like our firefighters, these first responders put their lives in danger to protect the community. Yesterday afternoon, the Falck medics who joined us in responding to a call for a structure fire literally dodged a bullet. The structure fire occurred on a single-family home near the intersection of S. Chambers Road and E. Quincy Avenue at approximately 3:20 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported by bystanders who called Aurora911. Someone had also called and reported that a man ran out of the house that was on fire, holding a gun.    While AFR was attempting to extinguishing the fire, the Falck medics arrived and was immediately fired upon by this man. The round struck the front windshield and thankfully changed trajectory, not striking any of the three medics. None of the firefighters were injured either.   As Aurora Colorado Police Department officers were coming into the area, they spotted the suspect nearby. After a brief standoff, the suspect was taken into custody after the use of 40mm less-lethal rounds.    The suspect, a 34-year-old man, is currently at the hospital receiving treatment. He is anticipated to be released from the hospital and will be arrested for arson and two counts of attempted murder. A booking photo will not be available until he is booked into the Aurora Detention Center.   AFR Battalion Chief 2 was first to arrive to extinguish the fire and noted smoke and flames coming from the second-floor bedrooms above the garage on the two-story residence.    Prior to other units arriving, the Chief completed a primary search for victims. No victims were found, however a dog was rescued. On arrival, AFR Ladder 6’s crew also searched for victims and did not find any in the house.   The fire was contained and under control at approximately 3:35 pm.    As always, AFR is deeply grateful for the dedicated support that our Falck medics provide in caring for the community. This near-miss is greatly troubling and we are incredibly thankful that no one was injured.

Aurora Fire Rescue's wildland firefighters loaded up our Type 6 specialized Brush Truck and is off to assist with the Alexandra Mountain Fire west of Loveland, Colo. The fire has already scorched over 1,800 acres in the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest and remains uncontrolled. Evacuation and warning orders are in effect for nearby communities. AFR's team is one of 2,000 ground units assigned to tackle the blaze. We were requested by the US Forest Service to provide mutual aid and will be assigned to this mission for 72 hours of deployment. Our team doesn't have a specific assignment yet but will work alongside other ground and aviation units in gaining perimeter control, containment efforts and providing structure defense against the fire.