Adams County Fire: Our Community Safety Meeting

Dec 10, 2025

4 min read

On December 3rd, Arvada Voices, Arvada city members, and Adams County representatives met with Adams County Fire leadership to discuss emergency response, hazardous materials, dispatch challenges, and what East Arvada residents should know as we head into winter. Below is a concise, community-friendly summary of the key takeaways.

West Arvada vs. East Arvada: Who Serves Your Neighborhood

West Arvada neighborhoods are served by the Arvada Fire Protection District, not Adams County Fire. If you live west of Sheridan in Arvada, your primary fire/EMS contact is:

Arvada Fire Protection District Headquarters

7903 Allison Way, Arvada, CO 80005
HQ Phone: 303-424-3012
Non-Emergency Dispatch: 303-980-7300
Emergency: 911

Residents in western and central Arvada should reach out directly to Arvada Fire for questions, services, or community resources specific to their area.

For East Arvada Residents Living in Adams County

If you live east of Sheridan in Arvada, your fire and EMS services are provided by the Adams County Fire Protection District, not Arvada Fire. Your closest station is Station 12, located at 3365 W. 65th Ave., Denver, CO 80221.

Station 12 is staffed 24/7 with firefighter-paramedics and serves as the district’s official hazmat station, giving East Arvada immediate access to specialty-trained crews and advanced response capabilities. Residents may also reserve Station 12’s community room for small meetings or neighborhood gatherings, depending on availability.

For more information on reserving the community room, please reach out to Mike Tavalez, the Division Chief of Special Operations:

Email: mtavalez@acfpd.org
Phone: 303-539-6809

About Station 12

Built in 1978; remodeled in 1997
Houses both an engine and a medic unit
Always staffed with at least five firefighter/medics
Serves as the district’s hazmat specialty station
Responds to a high volume of EMS and evening calls
Phone: 303-429-3597

Because Station 12 functions as both a frontline medic station and a hazmat specialty center, crews respond to everything from medical emergencies and fires to hazardous materials incidents — providing East Arvada an exceptionally high level of service.

Adams County Fire emphasized that East Arvada is not overlooked or underserved. Emergency response is based entirely on proximity, not jurisdiction lines. The closest available unit responds, whether that is:

Adams County Fire
Westminster Fire
Thornton Fire
Federal Heights Fire
North Metro Fire

This regional cooperation ensures fast, reliable coverage—regardless of city or county borders.

Why 911 Calls Sometimes Route in a Confusing Way

Because East Arvada residents have an Arvada mailing address but physically sits in Adams County, emergency calls may route through multiple centers:

The call goes first to JeffCom (Jefferson County).
JeffCom confirms whether it is an Arvada Police matter.
Fire/EMS calls are then transferred to Adams County Communications (ADCOM).

This routing is technical, not a delay. Once the call reaches ADCOM, units are dispatched immediately. Residents are encouraged to report unusual routing experiences to the City of Arvada and Adams County Fire so they can be reviewed.

Hazardous Materials Facility: Risk Has Decreased Significantly

The chemical distribution facility near the railroad tracks — Brenntag North America, Inc. (formerly Industrial Chemicals Corporation) — has historically raised safety concerns. Adams County Fire confirmed that the facility has undergone major improvements.

Key updates:

Brenntag invested ~$500,000 in safety and infrastructure improvements.
High-risk chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid and bulk hydrochloric acid have been fully removed.
Remaining materials (mostly flammables) are now stored in safer configurations.
Station 12’s hazmat technicians conduct regular inspections and risk assessments.

As a result, the facility presents significantly lower risk to nearby neighborhoods than in previous years.

Community Engagement & Education

As part of their accreditation and strategic planning process, Adams County Fire distributed QR code surveys to learn what residents expect from their fire department.

Responses were simple and consistent:

Arrive quickly
Be professional
Solve the emergency
And one resident: “Save my dog.”

Beyond emergency calls, crews actively look for ways to support the community — reading to children in schools, hosting engine and medic tours, assisting older residents, shoveling walkways during winter, and even finishing tasks interrupted by emergencies (such as completing a tree planting for a resident who experienced a medical event).

These efforts reflect the department’s goal of leaving every situation better than they found it.

Winter Safety Tips from Adams County Fire

As temperatures fall, the district sees a rise in preventable emergencies. Key reminders include:

Test and replace carbon monoxide detectors (avoid off-brand models).
Keep furnace and fireplace vents clear of snow.
Use properly rated extension cords for outdoor lighting.
Remove loose rugs and clear clutter, especially in homes with older adults.
Call 911 immediately if a CO alarm sounds.

Adams County Fire can install free smoke and CO detectors for residents who need assistance.

Community Safety & Homelessness-Related Calls

Adams County Fire frequently responds to:

Overdoses
Persons down
Medical issues within encampments
Behavioral health crises
Incidents near rail lines and RTD stations

Depending on location, additional agencies may include RTD Police, BNSF Railway Police, Arvada PD, or Westminster PD.

Station 10 & Future Preparedness

Adams County Fire is preparing to reopen Station 10 near 84th & Conifer. Plans include:

Staffing an ambulance first
Using advanced analytics from DarkHorse to determine future engine/truck placement
Evaluating risk based on demographics, call history, and growth trends

This work is part of the district’s three-year strategic plan and five-year accreditation cycle.

Stay Connected & Informed

Adams County Fire wants East Arvada residents to know: you are fully protected and supported. Station 12 sits at the heart of your service area, and multiple neighboring agencies respond based on who can arrive fastest — ensuring coordinated, high-level emergency care.

The district expressed interest in hosting a larger community meeting covering: