A ride-along with a crew is a great way for community members and people interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter to learn more about the fire service. On a ride-along, you will shadow a fire crew for part of their day and experience what it is like to respond to requests for help throughout the community. 

In order to keep ride-alongs sustainable while providing care to the community, we need to limit the number of ride-alongs we can schedule as well as plan them in advance.

Responding to emergencies such as fires, fallen rock climbers, and stranded tubers on the river, means changes in schedule, so please know that these circumstances may affect your ride.  

PFA reserves the right to reschedule, not fill, or cancel your ride-along at any time due to emergency response needs.

When can I request a ride-along with a fire crew?

Ride-alongs are scheduled Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Ride-along scheduling may be put on hold for weeks or even months if needed. For example, we work closely with the Front Range Community College EMS program to help people in their program complete requirements. This means a large influx in scheduled riders with our partners once or twice a year. This will be noted at the top of this page if that is in effect. 

Fire academy and EMS recruits are required to do ride-alongs as part of their training. These riders will take priority over community member riders in our scheduling process. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.

Please allow a minimum of five business days for us to process your request. 

Can I do more than one ride-along? 

As noted above, our capacity for ride-alongs is limited, so riders are only allowed one ride every six months. 

Can I do a ride-along if I applied to work as a firefighter at PFA? 

Candidates on the eligibility list can participate in ride-alongs up until they are invited to an administrative interview.  They are welcome to visit any station during the process but may not ride or stay for a prolonged time. 

Per PFA policy, EMT students and current PFA volunteers are exempt.

Who can do a ride-along and what are the requirements? 

Ride-alongs bring participants into the world of local firefighters. This means joining for calls that may be sensitive in nature or even scary in some ways. Riders must apply and complete a waiver.

Depending on the type of call, riders often need to stay in the apparatus (engine or truck). The crew will be there to provide further instructions and notes as well.

The following are requirements for anyone wanting to join for a ride-along with a crew. 

If the rider does not adhere to stated rules, the ride-along may be terminated.

Riders must:

• Be at least 16 years of age. Minors must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
• Follow a dress code of dark (navy/black) pants (slacks), polo shirt and closed-toe shoes, (lace-up boots recommended).  No shorts, jeans, cut-offs, or any clothing that is revealing, or features alcohol, tobacco or drug advertising. Attire should be appropriate for the expected weather conditions
• Be in good health. You will be asked to disclose any medical concerns that may affect your ability to ride. No one with a severe cold or illness will be permitted to participate, for the protection of our crews and community members.
• Follow all orders given by the station captain while riding. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the station.
• Wear a hard hat and vest identifying the rider as a PFA observer will be issued. No PFA bunker gear will be issued or used.
• Wear a seat belt anytime they are seated in the apparatus. 
• Remain on the apparatus, unless otherwise directed by a PFA officer.
• NOT become involved in any incident that the company is involved in, unless directed by an officer.
• Maintain awareness at all times while on the scene of an emergency, at a training exercise, or with the crew outside of the station.
  • Riders need to be aware of moving traffic, hoses, loud noises, tools, dynamic environments, unstable footing, slippery conditions, uncooperative, combative people, and other unpredictable scenarios.
• Maintain and respect those involved in any and all responses.
  • AT NO TIME will personal information be shared in anyway, that includes but is not limited to, sharing through text, with a contact, or on any social media channel. The privacy of our patients and those we serve is very important and people trust that we will protect that privacy. If this is in any way violated, the ride may be terminated immediately, and future rides denied. 
• NOT take a photo or video of any person or event while riding on the apparatus or on the scene of an emergency. Failure to follow this rule may result in an immediate termination of the ride and the individual will be denied any future ride requests.