5 Critical New Developments At Castle Rock Fire Rescue: The 2025/2026 Expansion And Safety Plan
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue (CRFR) is currently navigating a period of significant, transformative growth and strategic planning, as evidenced by its proposed 2025 and 2026 budget initiatives and recent operational updates. These changes are directly aimed at maintaining exceptional emergency response times and enhancing community safety amidst the rapid residential and commercial expansion of the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado. The department’s commitment to service remains its highest priority, balancing traditional fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) with crucial modern challenges like wildfire mitigation and community preparedness.
The latest updates, current as of December 23, 2025, highlight a multi-year financial strategy, key infrastructure projects, and a renewed focus on both personnel development and public education. From the solemn remembrance of a fallen colleague to the ambitious plans for a new northeast fire station, CRFR is actively shaping its future to meet the demands of a growing Douglas County community.
CRFR Leadership, Infrastructure, and Key Personnel Updates
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue operates as a vital agency within the Town of Castle Rock, serving a growing population and a diverse geographical area. The department’s leadership is focused on long-term sustainability and operational excellence, which is reflected in their multi-year financial planning and strategic projects.
- Agency: Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department (CRFR)
- Location: Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado.
- Chief of Department: Norris W. Croom III. Chief Croom provides the strategic direction for the department’s growth and response protocols.
- Deputy Chief - Operations Division: Oren Bersagel-Briese. Responsible for overseeing daily emergency operations and readiness.
- Division Chief - Fire and Life Safety Division/Fire Marshal: Kevin Sullivan. Focuses on fire prevention, inspections, and community safety education.
- Key Development Institute Participant: Chief Craig Rollins was noted as a participant in the 2024 Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI), indicating a commitment to executive-level professional growth within the CRFR leadership structure.
- Headquarters/Station 151: Located at 300 Perry St. This station is the administrative and operational hub of the department.
- Recent Loss: The department and the Castle Rock Professional Fire Fighters Association mourned the profound loss of Firefighter-EMT Andrew Koldeway, who passed away on October 2, 2024, after a sudden and severe illness. This event underscores the personal sacrifices made by CRFR personnel.
1. Major Budgetary Growth and Five-Year Financial Planning (2025-2029)
The most telling sign of CRFR’s commitment to future readiness is the significant proposed staff and budget growth outlined in the Town of Castle Rock’s annual budget messages for 2025 and 2026.
The financial planning period, extending from 2025 through 2029, projects sustained budget increases for the Fire Department. This growth is a direct response to the town’s rapid population boom, ensuring that emergency services scale proportionally to maintain high-quality service standards and optimal response times across the expanded fire district.
The proposed 2026 budget, for instance, is part of a larger $349.6 million total town budget, with a dedicated portion for CRFR’s operational and capital needs. These funds are critical for hiring new firefighters, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and supporting the department’s ambitious infrastructure projects.
Focus on Staffing and Equipment
A key component of the budget is the focus on personnel. The multi-year plan includes provisions for increasing the number of fire and police department staff. This staff augmentation is essential for manning new stations and reducing the workload on existing crews, which directly impacts the department's performance metrics and the well-being of its firefighters. Furthermore, the budget allocates resources to ensure all firefighters have adequate wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a necessity given the area’s wildfire risk.
2. The Strategic Expansion of Fire Station Infrastructure
To directly address the challenges posed by a growing service area, CRFR has been actively involved in both completing new facilities and planning future ones. This two-pronged infrastructure strategy is designed to optimize emergency coverage and reduce response times, especially in newly developed areas.
New Fire Station #152: Crystal Valley Coverage
A significant recent achievement is the completion of Fire Station #152, located in the southern section of the fire district, specifically the Crystal Valley area. This new facility, which CRFR Chief Norris Croom was instrumental in developing, is now operational and provides dedicated, localized service to the rapidly growing southern end of Castle Rock.
Planning for a Northeast Fire Station
Looking ahead, the Town of Castle Rock is set to build another new fire station on the northeast side of town. This project is a proactive measure to manage the ongoing rapid growth in that specific area and is crucial for improving emergency response times where new residential and commercial developments are concentrated. The planning and construction of this new facility are a top priority within the CRFR’s capital improvement plan.
3. Enhanced Wildfire Mitigation and Community Preparedness
Given Colorado's high-risk environment, wildfire preparedness is a central pillar of CRFR’s mission. Recent updates emphasize a proactive, year-round approach, encapsulated by the "Firewise 365" message posted in January 2025.
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
CRFR is actively building capacity for a dedicated prescribed fire program within the town limits. This program is a critical component of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and involves controlled burns to reduce hazardous fuel loads, thereby mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The department is also coordinating with neighboring agencies like South Metro Fire Rescue on complex issues, including hazmat first-responder planning, to ensure a unified regional response to large-scale incidents.
The "Fireworks Bucket Brigade" Initiative
The department has also launched community-focused programs like the "Fireworks Bucket Brigade." This initiative, which saw nearly 500 five-gallon buckets donated, educates residents on the safe disposal of used fireworks. The buckets are branded with simple steps to ensure that hot embers are safely quenched, preventing accidental fires after holiday celebrations.
4. Commitment to Youth Development and Recruitment
CRFR understands that the future of fire safety relies on attracting and training the next generation of first responders. The department maintains a strong commitment to its youth outreach programs.
The Fire Explorer Program
The Fire Explorer Program is a cornerstone of CRFR’s recruitment and education efforts. This exciting and intriguing program is specifically designed for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 20. It offers hands-on experience and mentorship in fire suppression, EMS, and other aspects of fire department operations, providing a valuable pathway for future careers in fire and rescue services.
5. Operational Excellence and Performance Metrics
CRFR’s vision is to be the best provider of emergency and prevention services, and its mission is centered on high customer satisfaction. The department regularly reviews its performance information to ensure it is meeting these goals.
Recent operational events, such as the response to a residential structure fire on Franktown Deerpath Road, demonstrate the department’s operational readiness, involving multiple units like Battalion Chief 151, Quint 151, Brush 153, and Medic units. Furthermore, CRFR personnel frequently work in unified command with other Douglas County fire agencies, as seen during recent brush fire incidents near Castle Rock, where approximately 60 personnel from seven different fire agencies collaborated for containment.
The ongoing budget growth and infrastructure expansion—specifically the new stations—are explicitly tied to improving these performance metrics, with a primary goal of further reducing emergency response times across the entire district, ensuring that help arrives as quickly as possible for every resident.
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