Longmont Fire Chief Dan Higgins gave an engaging update on the city’s fire department and fielded questions from Rotary members.
“When I was hired, Longmont had just three fire stations,” said Higgins. “As the city expanded in the '90s, we kept pace. Today, we have six stations spread across the city.” Recently, two stations were rebuilt—one on Ken Pratt Blvd. and another formerly at Hover and Mountain View, now relocated to 17th Avenue. The old Station 2 is now a dedicated training facility.
Q&A Highlights:
Why do fire trucks respond to EMS calls?
Fire trucks are like “rolling toolboxes,” equipped to handle a variety of emergencies. Dispatch determines the right mix of units for each call. A typical medical call might involve two trucks and an ambulance, bringing eight personnel to the scene. Of Longmont’s 12,000 calls last year, about two-thirds were medical. Many fire personnel are trained in Advanced Life Support.
How much does it cost to build a fire station or buy a truck?
Costs vary. The two most recent stations cost about $12 million total. Today, building a single station would likely require $10 million. Fire trucks also come at a premium—basic engines run around $900,000, while ladder trucks can exceed $1.3 million and take years to deliver. For comparison, Lafayette’s ladder truck recently cost $2.2 million.
How is Longmont managing extreme weather and wildfire risk?
Since the 2013 flood, the city has invested heavily in flood mitigation and water flow management. Longmont’s Emergency Management Office also plays a key role in community preparedness. At the state level, additional aerial firefighting resources have been acquired to assist with wildfire response.
What’s the role of fire suppression systems?
Their main purpose is to control fires long enough for people to safely evacuate. In many cases, they also help extinguish fires before firefighters arrive.