Littleton Fire Dept. Merges With South Metro Fire Rescue

LITTLETON, CO – The year 2019 is the end of an era for the 128-year-old Littleton Fire Department, and the beginning of a new one for the consolidated South Metro Fire Rescue, as the two departments merged, with South Metro taking command of the staff and resources of the LFD.

The end-of-command was celebrated in a formal ceremony Tuesday.

The 120 employees of Littleton FD have now joined the South Metro team, said South Metro Fire Chief Bob Baker. Littleton Interim Fire Chief Jeff Tasker will take on a new role as a district chief of one of three districts.

The history of the Littleton Fire Department began in 1890, when a group of 24 male volunteers organized to form the John G. Lilley Hook and Ladder Company. According to a history of the department, "very little equipment, a ladder cart, two ladders, four hooks and thirty water buckets" and most men served without the benefit of any kind of protective hat or clothing.

As the city grew and the department progressed, LFD responded to more fires, but also illnesses and injuries that made up approximately 65-70 percent of emergency calls. The department has worked with South Metro as a mutual aid partner responding with specially trained staff to to water accidents, wild land/urban interface fires, hazardous materials and even pet rescues.

The city council voted to put the merger of the two fire protection districts to the voters who approved the union on Nov. 6.

By spreading the property taxes on South Metro Fire District across the city, the Littleton City Council said the consolidation could free up up to $3.1 million for infrastructure improvements.The two dispatch departments consolidated in 2017.

The merger consolidates a 30-square mile service area with three fire houses into South Metro's much larger district.

In September, Littleton's fire chief Christopher Armstrong took a new job as fire chief in Hall County, Georgia.

• Related: Littleton Fire Chief Resigns
  
• Related: Littleton Fire District To Merge With South Metro
  
• Related: Littleton To Vote On Fire Dept. Consolidation
  
• Related: Fire Department Consolidation: Littleton To Host Public Meeting

Image via South Metro Fire Rescue

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