Latest news with #DenverFireDepartment


CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
One of Colorado's biggest fire departments forecasts $500 million shortfall over next decade: "It's a big amount"
South Metro Fire Rescue, which serves nearly 600,000 residents in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, is forecasting a $20 to $30 million shortfall in 2026, followed by yearly budget shortfalls of $50 million a year for the next decade. The fire protection district says state property tax relief measures are forcing them to consider seeking tax increases or reductions in service. "It's a big amount," said Jim Albee, chairman of the board that oversees the nearly 800 member fire department. "Every dollar counts," said Albee who added, "we are going to evaluate every dollar." Albee and the department say their shortfalls are brought about by years of rising costs, inflation, increasing calls for service and new state legislation that reduces property taxes and caps property tax rates. The department derives 80% of its revenue from property taxes, according to Albee. But with 80% of the department's budget going to employee salaries and benefits, the department will likely reflect on its most recent contract, providing firefighters with a 10% salary increase this year, followed by increases the next two years that will bring the three-year salary increases to between 17.5% and 19%. By comparison, the Denver Fire Department agreed in May to a tentative two year contract with the city calling for a 5% increase next year and another 5% increase the following year. Albee said the larger salary increases are to make up for the previous contract, which granted 8% salary increases over three years. To address the looming budget shortfalls, SMFR is considering three scenarios: - Asking district residents to vote to increase their property taxes, something Albee says has not happened in 20 years - Seeking a .5% sales tax within the district which would generate an estimated $50 million for South Metro each year - Cutting services, which might lead to higher response times "We will look at everything," said Albee. He said preliminary surveys conducted by the department have so far indicated district residents are most in favor of the new sales tax, rather than voting to increase their property taxes or see fire service diminished with increased response times. The department has been widely known in the fire service as being "best in class," offering equal or higher salaries than other similar sized departments, and health and wellness benefits that are top tier. SMFR has on staff three strength and conditioning coaches, with the lead strength and conditioning coach earning $111,000 annually. Also on staff are: A chief of human performance who earns $239,000 An athletic trainer who makes $104,000 An e-learning specialist who also makes $104,000 There's also a cognitive performance coach, a health and wellness officer, a physical therapist and a wellness doctor who is paid $250,000 per year. Albee said he considers it "a duty of this department to make sure the people are taken care of as well as possible and we're taking care of first responders as well as they're taking care of us. It's what the market informs us is what's needed and necessary to attract and retain the talent we need to serve our community," said Albee. The South Metro board chairman said overall, these positions essentially are "cost neutral" as they pay for themselves by helping prevent injuries that would equate to lost time, or by helping rehabilitate injured firefighters and get them back to work faster than would otherwise be possible. But cutting benefits is on the table, said Albee, who said all expenses are being evaluated. He said by early August the department will begin making decisions about what direction -- or directions -- it needs to go to address its budget problems.


CBS News
07-07-2025
- CBS News
Child injured after falling 6 floors from hotel, Denver Fire Department says
A child fell six stories from a Denver hotel on Monday and suffered multiple injuries, but is alive, the Denver Fire Department said. Few details, including the age of the child or which hotel, were immediately available, but DFD posted a map of the incident at 2:15 p.m., indicating it occurred somewhere near East Hampden Avenue and South Poplar Street. Denver fire and ambulance crews were on their way to treat the child and take them to the hospital.


CBS News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Lightning strike on Denver International Airport property leads to one or more grass fires
A lightning strike that happened on the property of Denver International Airport has apparently started one or more grass fires. That's according to an airport spokesperson, who said the strike took place before 4:30 p.m. CBS No injuries or damage have been reported. "There are no impacts to flight operations," airport officials wrote in a social media post. The Denver Fire Department said they have crews who are responding to the fire or fires. "Currently the cause is unknown and the extent is still being assessed," they wrote in a post on social media.


CBS News
25-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
House fire in Denver's Sloan's Lake neighborhood spreads to nearby home
Fire at a home under construction in Denver's Sloan's Lake neighborhood spread to a neighboring house. The fire started just before 6 a.m. at Congo's Place and Lowell Street. House under renovation catches fire in Denver. Denver Fire Department Crews on the scene reported heavy smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters believe the home was being remodeled at the time. Firefighters are looking into what caused the fire. They say the radiant heat from the fire helped the fire spread to a neighboring house. Firefighter checks out a roof on Conejos Place in Denver Denver Fire Department No one was hurt in the fire.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Firefighters respond to parties trapped call in 3-vehicle crash on Colfax
DENVER (KDVR) — Firefighters were on the scene of a three-vehicle crash Monday afternoon, according to a post on X from the Denver Fire Department. Memorial Day crash involving trailer closes I-25 northbound, north of Mead The crash occurred at the intersection of East Colfax Avenue and Quebec Street. Denver Fire said that it responded to reports of 'parties trapped' but did not state if one or more people had to be extricated from their vehicle. One person has been transported to a hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.