Fire Department · Career
West Metro Fire Protection District
Lakewood, CO · Jefferson County
“Whatever it takes… to serve.”
one of the largest fire districts in Colorado
West Metro Fire Rescue is a full-service, all-hazard fire and rescue district serving the western suburbs of the Denver metro area, including Lakewood, Morrison, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, part of Littleton, and portions of Jefferson and Douglas counties. The district was formed in 1995 through the consolidation of the Lakewood and Bancroft fire protection districts.
The organization operates 17 fire stations covering more than 108 square miles and serves a population approaching 300,000 residents.
West Metro is staffed by more than 400 full-time firefighters alongside 47 civilian employees, making it one of the larger career departments in the state. The district participates in Colorado Task Force 1, the state's urban search and rescue team.
MissionThe West Metro Fire Rescue family is committed to protecting the community's quality of life through prevention, preparedness, and all hazards emergency response.
West Metro hires firefighter recruits through periodic academy classes; applications are submitted online via GovernmentJobs.com when a recruit academy cycle opens. Candidates move through a physical agility test (the district administers its own PAT and does not accept CPAT scores), a remote written exam, an oral board interview, and a background investigation that includes a polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical exam.
All developing firefighters are required to attend paramedic school, with the district covering the education costs; an EMT certification is no longer required at the time of hire. Applicants must be a permanent Colorado resident by their hire date, and out-of-state candidates must attend the PAT and oral boards in person.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- U.S. citizenship
- Permanent Colorado resident by hire date
- Able to speak, read, and write English
- Valid photo ID; Colorado driver's license within 45 days of hire
- Drug-free and tobacco-free
- Meet NFPA 1582 medical standards
- Required vaccinations: Hepatitis A & B, MMR, Tdap, Polio, Varicella
- EMT certification is NOT required for hire
Hiring process
- Submit application online via GovernmentJobs.com
- Physical Agility Test (PAT) administered by the district (CPAT scores not accepted)
- Remote written test (70% passing score)
- Oral board interview
- Background investigation including polygraph, psychological evaluation, physical exam, and drug/alcohol testing
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance; FPPA pension; 10 paid holidays plus vacation and personal leave; tuition reimbursement; access to workout facilities. All developing firefighters attend paramedic school at the district's expense, and certified paramedics receive an 8% pay differential.
Recruits are hired into periodic academy classes (e.g., the Spring 2027 Firefighter Recruit Academy); all developing firefighters attend paramedic school during their first three years, paid for by the district.
Do I need to be an EMT to apply?
No. The EMT certification is no longer a requirement for hire. However, all developing firefighters are required to attend paramedic school, which the district pays for.
What are the basic requirements to become a firefighter recruit?
You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, have a high school diploma or GED, be a permanent Colorado resident by your hire date, be drug- and tobacco-free, and meet NFPA 1582 medical standards.
What does the hiring process involve?
Apply online through GovernmentJobs.com, then pass a district-administered Physical Agility Test, a remote written test (70% to pass), an oral board interview, and a background investigation that includes a polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical exam.
Do you accept CPAT scores?
No. West Metro administers its own Physical Agility Test and does not accept CPAT scores. You may attempt the PAT up to three times per cycle, and the highest score is used.
What is the pay for a new firefighter?
The Developing Firefighter base pay range (0-36 months) is $73,184 to $112,591, and certified paramedics receive an additional 8% of base wages.
Can out-of-state applicants apply?
Yes, but you must be a permanent Colorado resident by your hire date, and out-of-state applicants must attend the Physical Agility Test and oral boards in person.