The Colorado Springs Fire Department welcomes and encourages riders to learn about the employees and services offered by this organization. However, riding with on-duty fire personnel is a privilege; any conduct or appearance which may be deemed unprofessional by the company officer on duty will be grounds to deny the request to ride.
How to Apply
Download and fill out the attached forms and drop off at the Fire Department Complex or email to CSFD.Request@ColoradoSprings.gov with a copy of your photo ID.
Riders must be 18 years or older. All applicants will undergo a background check and will be scheduled according to station availability. Riders are allowed to ride two times per year for up to eight hours each time.
Instructions
You are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner as you may be seen as a representative of the Colorado Springs Fire Department during your ride along and your actions may reflect on our organization. Remember that you are an observer only and will not participate on any call for service unless you are directly asked to do so by the Officer-In-Charge. There is no guarantee, implied or otherwise, that the station you are assigned to will respond to a medical emergency, traffic accident, fire, or other emergency call for service during your ride along.
It may be unlikely that you have time to sit and eat a proper lunch, so we suggest bringing snacks to munch on during the day while at the fire house.
Riders are required to wear long, dark colored pants, a plain shirt with collar and no logo bigger than a half dollar coin, and sturdy closed toed shoes that are suitable for climbing into and out of fire apparatus and for comfortably walking on improved and unimproved surfaces. Also, bring a jacket and other items necessary to remain protected from the weather.
When not responding to a call for service, the firefighters are happy to answer your questions, show you equipment, and demonstrate how they perform tasks such as: daily equipment checks, report writing, or any other assignments around the station. They are also happy to discuss station life and their shift schedule.