Durango Professional Fire Fighters

08/24/2026

🤍🚒 August 24 is an important day for our Durango Fire & Rescue family and our community. Today, we remember Firefighter Nick Parks and Durango Police Officer Gale Emerson, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Durango.

On August 24, 1974, a deliberately set fire tore through the 800 block of Main Avenue, destroying six buildings and threatening the heart of downtown Durango. While working to evacuate residents and protect the community, Nick and Gale, both just 24 years old, were killed when a wall collapsed following an explosion.

More than five decades have passed, but their names remain part of the history of our community and those who have served it. We remember not only the day we lost them, but the courage, dedication, and selflessness they brought to their work and to the people they served.

Their legacy lives on through the families who continue to carry their memory, and through the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and first responders who answer the call today.

❤️ We extend our love to the Parks family and are grateful that they continue to be such a meaningful part of our DFR family. We are honored to remember Nick and the lasting legacy he left behind.

A special thank you to his daughter, Nicki, for sharing this beautiful collage of her dad. We are grateful for the opportunity to share it with our community and honor Nick through a moment that reminds us of the person behind the uniform.

We remember Nick. We remember Gale. We honor their families. And we will never forget their sacrifice.

06/23/2026

05/01/2026

Another successful brew day with our brothers and sisters at Anarchy Brewing!

Members of Local 5554 joined the crew to assist with the brew process, milling grain, lending a hand, and enjoying a well-earned “brewer’s breakfast” 🤫

This marks our second collaboration brew with Anarchy and owner Sully, who, before becoming a brew master, served in a long and successful career with Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

Sully and the team at Anarchy embody the lifelong camaraderie of the fire service… looking out for one another, supporting each other, and continuing to grow together long after the job.

We’re grateful for the friendship, partnership, and all the familiar faces at Anarchy Brewing!

04/26/2026

Saturday April 25, A shift crews made quick work of an apartment fire on Holly Ave. E3 responded from just up the street and got a quick knock before the fire had extended further into the apartment. Crews were able to isolate the fire to just outside the apartment with minimal extension inside.
E2, Tower 1, M3 and M5 crews assisted with water supply, search and overhaul.

This is your Durango Firefighters third working structure fire this month.

04/24/2026

Monday April 20, A shift crews handled two structures on fire in the Edgemont area. E3 arrived first and quickly pulled lines to suppress the primary occupancy while preventing extension into the adjacent structure. E1 crews completed a primary search of the adjacent structure before L2 and E3 deployed master streams to knock the bulk of the fire.
Strong work by the crews of E3, E1, L2, M3 & M5!

04/20/2026

04/19/2026

Big news for our IAFF neighbor to the East!

04/12/2026

Recently, your Local 5554 sent three members to attend the IAFF Strive For Excellence Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada.

President Knowlton, Secretary Treasurer Wood and Communications Director Maten attended numerous classes & conferences to have a deeper understanding of the values and missions of the IAFF.

They spent time taking classes amongst 3,000 other IAFF members, all striving for the same goals. Our President even got some 1 on 1 time with the General President of the IAFF, Edward A. Kelly!

We are proud of these members dedication to the wellness of Local 5554, and putting in the time to prepare themselves for the betterment of the Durango Professional Fire Fighters.

04/01/2026

Sending a big THANK YOU to our Fleet & Maintenance division for getting us our first (of many) PINK fire apparatus!
In July of 2025, Durango Fire introduced our newest Aerial apparatus, Ladder 2, to its fleet. It has served us well since being in service & has been utilized on numerous trainings and 911 responses.
Your Local 5554 recently put in a proposal to no longer respond in Red fire apparatus, but rather pink. Pink apparatus are statistically proven to boost morale, enhance performance, and make for a great april fools joke like this one.