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The Future Of Safety: 5 Critical Updates On The Castle Rock Fire Department's New Station And Strategic Plan

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The Castle Rock Fire Department (CRFD) is currently navigating a period of significant growth and strategic change, driven by the Town of Castle Rock’s rapid population expansion. As of December 23, 2025, the department is actively implementing a five-year strategic plan designed to combat a notable surge in emergency call volume, which saw a 5.7% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. This proactive approach is essential to maintaining the department's high standards and ensuring optimal emergency response times across its expanding service area.

The most tangible sign of this forward-looking strategy is the planning and development of a brand-new facility, Fire Station 156, which will anchor the CRFD's presence on the town’s growing northeast side. This new facility, along with the department’s continuous focus on community engagement and wildfire preparedness, highlights the CRFD's commitment to providing cutting-edge fire and rescue services to its residents. The following deep dive explores the key updates, leadership, and critical initiatives shaping the future of emergency response in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department: Organizational Profile and Leadership

The Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department (CRFD) operates as a critical public safety agency within the Town of Castle Rock and is dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, and response. The department is a key entity in Douglas County, Colorado, and its structure is built to handle a diverse range of emergencies, from structural fires and medical calls to complex wildland-urban interface incidents.

  • Department Chief: Norris W. Croom III (Chief of Department)
  • Deputy Chief: Oren Bersagel-Briese (Operations Division)
  • Division Chief / Fire Marshal: Kevin Sullivan (Fire and Life Safety Division)
  • Headquarters: Fire Headquarters / Station 151, located at 300 N. Perry St.
  • Current Fire Stations: CRFD operates five strategically placed stations to ensure rapid response across the town:
    • Station 151: Downtown (Houses a medic, quint/ladder truck, Battalion Chief, and a Type-3 brush truck)
    • Station 152: Crystal Valley
    • Station 153: Founders Village
    • Station 154: The Meadows
    • Station 155: (Location not specified in detail, but part of the five-station network)
  • Apparatus Highlights: CRFD utilizes a modern fleet, including medics, quint ladder trucks, and Type-3 brush trucks, specifically designed for the unique challenges of the Castle Rock area, which includes both high-density urban areas and wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones.

The Northeast Expansion: New Fire Station 156 and Logistics Center

The most significant infrastructure project currently underway for the CRFD is the planning and development of Fire Station 156. This initiative is a direct response to the town’s rapid growth, particularly on the northeast side, which requires dedicated resources to maintain acceptable emergency response times.

Key Details of the Station 156 Project

The new facility is not just a standard fire station; it represents a comprehensive investment in the future operational efficiency of the entire department. It will be a co-located facility, combining frontline fire and rescue services with essential logistical support.

  • Location: The new station, officially designated as Station 156, will be located on the west side of the intersection of Castle Oaks Drive and Pleasant View Drive.
  • Timeline: Planning is currently underway, with construction documents having a bid date of July 26, 2024. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to occur in 2026. This timeline suggests the station will be operational either late in 2026 or early 2027, depending on construction progress.
  • Co-located Logistics Center: A crucial element of the project is the co-location of a new Logistics Center alongside the fire station. This center will streamline the management, maintenance, and distribution of essential firefighting and EMS equipment across all CRFD stations, enhancing overall readiness and reducing downtime.
  • Impact: Station 156 is specifically designed to address the increasing demand for emergency services in the rapidly developing northeast corridor, ensuring that residents in that area receive the same high-level, rapid-response service as the rest of the town.

CRFD’s Strategic Response to Rising Call Volume

The sustained population growth in Castle Rock has led to a proportional increase in emergency calls, which were 5.7% higher in 2024 than in 2023. To manage this escalating demand and prevent a decline in service quality, the CRFD has developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan. This plan serves as a critical roadmap for resource allocation, personnel expansion, and capital improvements.

Core Priorities of the Five-Year Strategic Plan

The strategic plan is not merely a budgetary document; it is a community-vetted document focused on maintaining public safety and service excellence. The core goals revolve around capacity and efficiency.

  • Maintaining Response Time Goals: The primary objective of the plan is to ensure the CRFD can continue to meet its established emergency response time goals, even with the higher call volume. The new Station 156 is a direct outcome of this priority.
  • Resource Management: The plan details how the department will strategically deploy new personnel, apparatus, and equipment to match the geographical expansion and increased demand for services. This includes evaluating the need for specialized equipment, such as to improve ground ladder rescues at multi-family dwellings.
  • Community Engagement & Prevention: A key component is the integration of community input and a continued focus on prevention programs. The plan emphasizes the importance of initiatives like "Firewise 365" and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to reduce the risk of major incidents.

Essential Community Programs and Wildfire Preparedness

Beyond emergency response, the Castle Rock Fire Department is deeply involved in community education and prevention, particularly regarding the persistent threat of wildfires in the Douglas County area.

Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Restrictions

Castle Rock's location in the wildland-urban interface makes wildfire preparedness a year-round priority. The CRFD works closely with Douglas County to manage fire danger.

  • Be Firewise 365: The department actively promotes the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA program, urging homeowners and HOAs to take year-round steps to mitigate fire risk on their property.
  • Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP): Since 2007, the CRFD has utilized grants to develop and implement its CWPP, a crucial document that guides local efforts to reduce wildfire hazards.
  • Fire Restrictions: During periods of high or extreme fire danger, the Town of Castle Rock, in conjunction with Douglas County, will enact Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restrictions. Violations of these restrictions are taken seriously, with penalties that can include a $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail, or both. Residents are urged to check the official "FireBans" page for the most current status.

Innovative Public Safety Initiatives

The CRFD is leveraging technology and education to enhance its service model:

  • Castle Rock Community Connect: This online platform allows residents to provide critical property and medical information (such as gate codes, specialized medical needs, or contact information) directly to the CRFD. This information is confidential and only used by first responders during an emergency, dramatically improving situational awareness before they arrive on scene.
  • Fire Service Explorer Program: Post 107 is an active, hands-on program for young men and women aged 14 to 20 who are interested in a career in fire and rescue services, fostering the next generation of firefighters.
  • Fireworks Bucket Brigade: A unique, seasonal initiative that provides nearly 500 five-gallon buckets to the community, branded with educational stickers, to promote the safe and proper disposal of used fireworks.
The Future of Safety: 5 Critical Updates on the Castle Rock Fire Department's New Station and Strategic Plan
castle rock fire dept
castle rock fire dept

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