Our Impact
When the Call Comes In, There Is No Pause Button
Firefighters respond with whatever tools, training, and information they have in that moment. Our role is to make sure that moment is backed by the very best support our community can provide.
Since 2015, the Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs has contributed more than $450,000 to fund equipment and training that directly enhance the safety, capability, and professionalism of our city’s firefighters.
When firefighters have better tools and advanced training, they make faster decisions. They operate more safely. They protect more lives. Every dollar invested translates into stronger, smarter response capabilities for the growing Colorado Springs community.
Eyes in the Sky: Smarter Decisions, Safer Crews
A clearer view means faster, safer decisions on the ground.
One of the Foundation’s most significant investments has been funding drone technology to support a dedicated aerial response unit. These drones give firefighters a comprehensive view of emergency scenes from above, improving safety, coordination, and tactical decision-making.
Drone support is especially critical during:
- Wildland fires
- High-angle rescues
- Smoke investigations
- Swift water rescue operations
- Searches for missing hikers or climbers
Seeing an incident from the sky allows crews to assess risks before committing personnel, choose the safest approach, and deploy resources more efficiently. Infrared capability helps identify hotspots and pinpoint fire locations, reducing response time and improving containment. Available 24/7, this technology represents a major advancement in both detection and response.
Protecting Every Member of the Family
Because public safety includes the four-legged members of our community.
Impact is not measured only in equipment upgrades. It is measured in moments.
In partnership with firefighters and Westside Animal Hospital, the Foundation helped fund pet emergency kits for every fire truck, honoring retiring Deputy Chief Steve Dubay.
These kits provide emergency treatment capabilities at the scene of a fire, including oxygen masks designed specifically for pets. In the aftermath of a house fire, families are thinking about everyone inside their home. These tools allow firefighters to provide lifesaving care to animals when seconds matter most.
Investing in the Health of Those Who Protect Us
Protecting the community starts with protecting our firefighters.
As Colorado Springs continues to grow, so do the physical demands and long-term risks faced by our firefighters. The Foundation focuses on funding needs that are critical but may not be fully covered through traditional budgets or insurance.
Current funding priorities include:
- Ultrasound units on heavy apparatus, fire engines, and trucks to assist during cardiac arrests and blood loss emergencies
- Fitness and cardiovascular assessment protocols not covered by insurance
- Preventative cancer screenings not covered by insurance
These initiatives directly support firefighter health, readiness, and long-term wellbeing, while improving the level of care delivered during emergencies.
Why This Work Matters
A growing city requires modern tools, training, and forward-thinking support.
Our city is expanding. Emergency scenarios are becoming more complex. Expectations for rapid, professional response continue to rise.
The Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs exists to ensure our fire department remains equipped for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s realities. Through strategic, targeted investments, the Foundation creates a practical and accountable pathway for the private sector and community members to strengthen public safety.
Be Part of the Impact
You do not have to run into burning buildings to protect your community.
Your support helps place the right tools in the right hands at the right time. It strengthens emergency response, protects firefighter health, and enhances public safety across Colorado Springs.
Together, we are building a safer, stronger city.