West Metro Professional Firefighters

Home
United States
Lakewood, CO
West Metro Professional Firefighters

International Association of FireFighters (IAFF) Local 1309 proudly representing West Metro FF's

06/21/2026

Today we recognize the men who teach, encourage, and protect the next generation. We thank you for all that you do.

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing Dads out there.

06/17/2026

Local 1309 is proud to recognize the members of West Metro who earned their next badge and continue to move our profession forward.

Last night’s Board of Directors meeting was packed with families, friends, and crews. The people who stand behind our members as they put in the long hours, the studying, and the commitment it takes to promote in a demanding fire service.

Congratulations to the following members on their well‑earned achievements:

• Assistant Chief: Dan Wenger
• Captain: Matt Marfil
• Lieutenants: Colin Fay and AJ Kallweit
• Engineers: Mitch Nachreiner, Jacob Glime, Jeffrey Orbino, and Trevor Diaz

In true West Metro tradition, their families and support systems helped pin on the new badges. A reminder that no one gets here alone, and every promotion represents years of dedication, sacrifice, and pride in the craft.

On behalf of Local 1309, we’re proud of each of you and wish you nothing but success as you step into your new roles. Keep leading from the front and setting the standard for the next generation.

06/14/2026

June 14th, 2026, is Flag Day and the U.S. Army Birthday!

Today, we celebrate the Stars and Stripes, a symbol of freedom, unity, and the birth of the United States Army.

05/31/2026

Today, we honor Engineer Tim Felton, who retires after an incredible 22 years with West Metro Fire Rescue and 15 years with Boulder Rural Fire. A career marked by devotion, leadership, and genuine friendship.

Tim has left his mark across the district, working at 8s, 10s, and just about every station in between. His impact stretches far beyond the bay doors:
• 20+ years on the Wildland Team
• REMS Team
• Sawyer
• Engine Boss
• Task Force Leader
• Dive Team member

Through every assignment and every season, Tim brought steady leadership, deep knowledge, and a calm presence that made the job better for everyone around him.

Please join us in thanking Tim for everything he’s poured into this department, this community, and the people he’s served beside.

Enjoy retirement with your family, brother, and get in as much climbing as humanly possible. You’ve earned every minute of it.

05/29/2026

Members of Local 1309 spent yesterday morning with our friends at Westfax Brewing Company, helping can and label the beers for tomorrow’s big launch party.
It’s always an honor to team up with a local business that supports firefighters and our community.
Can’t wait to raise a glass with everyone tomorrow.

05/25/2026

Don't forget to take a moment today to honor those who sacrificed everything for our freedom.

05/17/2026

Another great turnout for our 4th Annual Co****le Tournament.
Appreciate every member and family who came out to compete, hang out, and build community.
Congrats to our champs on earning those new boards!

05/05/2026

A long time ago, in a galaxy not too far away… 36 years ago in fact, John Grothe began his fire service career with the Bancroft Fire Protection District. And fittingly, on May the 4th, Chief Grothe called it a career. A perfectly predictable move for a devoted Star Wars fan.

As the West Metro family gathered to honor our USAR Chief with a Local 1309 Honor Guard Ring-Out and Flag Presentation, there was so much more to celebrate about our newest retiree.

Thirty‑six years is a long time to spend making a difference. John did just that, in countless ways.

Today was a full‑circle moment as one of the forefathers of the Technical Rescue Team was honored at Station 10, home of the Heavy Rescue Company he helped build. Just behind it stands the HQ of Colorado’s Urban Search & Rescue Task Force‑1, John’s final assignment as Program Manager.

He served at every rank, building crews that reflected who he is: kindness, compassion, drive, and dedication to the craft and the spirit of service.

He was part of Peer Support from the beginning, long before First Responder Mental Health was a priority. His passion for helping his Brothers and Sisters through trauma helped shape an entire Mental Health program at West Metro and a model for the American Fire Service.

A confidant, a shoulder to lean on, and a legendary bear‑hugger, John offered honesty and vulnerability as he shared the toll that decades of calls can take.

Now, focus shifts to time with those he loves—travel and grandparent moments with Lori, the love of his life, and time with sons Bridger and Colton, each carrying on the Grothe legacy of service.

We’ll miss Chief Grothe, his endearingly nerdy tendencies, his occasionally innocent‑but‑offensive remarks, and the joy he brought to the job every day.

Congrats, Chief. Enjoy the new beginning.
As your famous size‑up once said: “Ok, here we go…”

05/02/2026

West Metro Firefighters Local 1309 spent this week on the brew deck with our friends at WestFax Brewing Company, helping craft this year’s Hook and Halligan release. The batch is a brand‑new Mexican Lager that will join the Westfax lineup, and we’re proud to have our members be part of the process from the very beginning.

We value this partnership and the way Westfax continues to support our firefighters and our community.

Join us for the Hook and Halligan Launch Party on Saturday, May 30, from noon to 11 pm at Westfax Brewing. It’s a family‑friendly event with a new beer tapping and a food truck on site.

04/15/2026

This morning, as B‑Shift wrapped up the 48‑hour shift, Training Chief Doug “Hutch” Hutchinson was honored at West Metro Fire Rescue’s Station 3 — the very place his career began in 1996.

The West Metro Professional Firefighters Honor Guard paid tribute with a traditional Ring‑Out and Flag Presentation.

Hutch’s path to the fire service started unexpectedly. Driving to his job at the Jefferson County Jail, he saw a header of smoke rising over 6th Avenue — Windish RV Center was burning, and Lakewood Firefighters were battling the blaze. In that moment, he knew: “That’s what I want to do.”

From that spark came a career defined by service. Before joining West Metro, Hutch served in the Army and worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. That commitment to community shaped everything he did.

In the firehouse, he was the kind of person you felt lucky to work with — competent, confident, thoughtful, and always steady. Soft‑spoken at times, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He was whip‑smart, well‑read, and could jump into any conversation with respect and perspective.

Athletic to his core, Hutch excelled at anything competitive. He led several Local 1309 sports teams — on the diamond, the ice, the golf course, the slopes. He played to win, and he won often.

That drive carried him through the ranks. He helped build the Tech Rescue Team, served as Heavy Rescue Lieutenant, opened the new Station 10 with the Dive Team, led as District Chief and Shift Commander, and finished his career as Training Chief.

Those of us who worked with him are better because of him. We’ll miss his dry wit, steady presence, and quiet but strong leadership. This place won’t be the same without him.

Now it’s time for him to travel with his wife Annie, see his son through college, play more golf, and live off his stockpile of MREs and “Ranger‑Pudding.” And of course, keep lifting weights to heavy metal — science says it even motivates cockroaches, so it must work for people too.

Congrats, Hutch. Take care, and keep that fire burning.

Address

PO Box 260697
Lakewood, CO
80226

Telephone

+13039894307

Website

http://www.westmetrofirefighters.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when West Metro Professional Firefighters posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to West Metro Professional Firefighters:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Lakewood?