Wheat Ridge Fire Department (WRFD) Training Division is responsible for the initial training, and maintaining the highest quality of training for our professional firefighters. The Training Division is committed to giving its firefighters, whether new in the fire service or having years of experience, all of the tools and resources necessary to be professional firefighters.

The Training Division is responsible for the creation, coordination, and delivery of training; designed to develop the cognitive and practical skill sets necessary to operate in a safe, effective, and proficient manner.

With advances in the fire service occurring daily, the Training Division must keep current and adapt philosophies and practices to meet such changes. An example is the advancement in technology within the fire service. The WRFD has created one of the first Simulation Laboratories in the State of Colorado. The Training Division uses 10 computers that are networked together to create a simulated learning environment for firefighters to learn “command and control” related firefighting skills. To maintain their rank, Company level officers are required to attend and maintain a set amount of simulations per year. Simulations include: fire alarms, single family room and contents fires, smoke investigations, multi-dwelling fires, fires with parties trapped, and firefighter MAYDAYs. The objective is to ensure that each company officer and chief officer has been in command of as many incidents as possible, and are prepared for any type of incident they may see in the field.

The Training Division takes a very aggressive approach to maintaining the efficiency, proficiency and safety of our firefighters. In addition to quarterly training requirements, all members are required to conduct “Monthly Objectives” to remain in compliance with the Training Division. Monthly Objectives are predetermined skill sets that each member must complete with hands-on-training. Every month each member in the organization is required to complete the same set of skills, making them more efficient, proficient, and safer firefighters.

Programs offered by the WRFD Training Division include, but are not limited to: