Aurora Fire Department 15151 E. Alameda Parkway Aurora, Colorado 80012 303-326-8999 - phone 303-326-8986 - fax
History of the Aurora Fire Department Fire@auroragov.org
The Aurora Fire Department originally began as a loose-knit volunteer group in 1902. Aurora was originally called Fletcher. The first fire prevention ordinance was passed that same year. Ordinance 41 stated that no tent could be erected without permission of the mayor. No building could be used as a powder magazine or any building be made of wood if it is valued at under $500. The exceptions were coal and wood sheds for carriages, horses or both.
In February 1906, the town took delivery of its first fire wagon - a 55-gallon chemical wagon manufactured by the Nott Fire Engine Company. It came with two dozen fire extinguishers, one 26-foot extension ladder, one 14-foot roof ladder; two fire axes and two fire hooks. Twenty of the fire extinguishers were placed around the town so that small fires could be extinguished prior to the arrival of the hand-drawn wagon.
A town hall was built in 1907 on the site of what is now our Station #1. It served as the site of the first alarm bell and telephone. It was also the home of the chemical wagon. This site is at 16th and Elmira. By 1923 the city had replaced the hand-drawn wagon with a motorized Samson Chemical Truck - "Guaranteed to stop fire in its tracks."
The year 1924 saw a reorganizing of the volunteer department. A chain-of-command, by-laws, rules and regulations, and required drill time for all active members were set up. At this time there were 24 men to fight the fires and the first chief was John O'Kane. In 1936, a new set of by-laws were drawn up and the volunteers became incorporated. From 1936 to 1958, fire protection was provided by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated.
In 1951, the department obtained a brand new American LaFrance, 750 gpm, fully equipped pumper. Not only was it fully equipped, not only did it pump its rated capacity (which previous new "pumpers" could not do), and not only did it pass its acceptance test, but it was red. The previous ones were a combination of white and red.
Also in 1951, the city hired its first paid fireman to maintain and drive the new equipment. It was from that time that the fledgling professional department began. In 1954 enough new men were hired to begin a 24-hour, three-platoon system with two men on each shift and aided by volunteers.
The year 1955 saw the fire department move into new quarters at 9801 E. 16th Ave., the site of the old town hall. That station is still in use as Station 1. It has since been remodeled. They also took delivery of a second new pumper -- an open cab Seagrave 1000-gpm Pumper -- which became known as "Big John." The department still has this unit, and although it still functions, it is used primarily for parades.
Between 1955 and 1968, three stations were added and 32 men hired. Between 1968 and 1980, the department doubled the number of stations and hired four times the men. In 1980, there were eight stations and 217 on-line personnel. Today, there are over 300 on-line personnel, plus support and administrative personnel and 15 stations.
Since 1976, the Rescue Division has been established and services were upgraded to full paramedic rescue squads. Administration and Fire Prevention divisions were also expanded and the Arson Bureau was established. The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) was implemented. The department also has Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), layered response (EMD), and the Incident Command System. AFD, in conjunction with the Denver Fire Department, runs the Rocky Mountain Fire Academy, which trains not only Denver and Aurora firefighters but also others from departments around the state. The department now operates under the direction of Fire Chief Mike Garcia.
In the history of the department we have gained a reputation for solid professionalism, a willingness to learn and adapt new procedures, and a constant striving for improvement. If the first paid firefighters had not cared about establishing their credibility, then today's firefighters would not be as good as they are and would not be setting standards that other departments are now trying to meet.