Cedar Rapids Fire Department

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

The 2026 class of CRFD rookies had their last official day of Academy training last Friday. We're super-excited to see Tiler, Jaydan, Jarrod, and Jacob make their way through training for the remainder of their first year as probationary firefighters!

And that means we're already looking forward to our next wave of hiring.
If saving lives and property while surrounded by a group of lifelong friends sounds like something you would like to try, check out our job listing at www.CityOfCR.com/Jobs
Look for "current openings" and apply today. This is truly a great place to create a career that matters.

08/25/2026

The Class of 2026 rookies got the chance recently to model our newest threads. Thanks to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and their contribution, we were able to purchase six new ice and cold-water rescue suits.
These red-carpet-ready ensembles feature watertight zippers, face-squishing neoprene hoods, retrieval attachment points, and fully-attached booties built for size 7 to size 14 feet.
All joking aside, these suits keep firefighters safe and able to perform some of the riskiest recues our Department faces.

Thanks, Cedar Rapids, for being a community worth protecting. We're here for you.

08/24/2026

Back to School? We’re ready!

The school buses are rolling, backpacks are packed, and the first-day-of-school smiles (and maybe a few tears) are here! Our crew is getting in on the back-to-school fun, too.

As everyone settles into a new school year, here are a few safety reminders for the whole family:

🚌 School bus safety: Stop when the bus stops and watch for children getting on or off. Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.

🚶 Slow down in school zones: Kids can be unpredictable, especially when they're excited to see friends. Give yourself extra time and watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists.

🔥 Practice your escape plan: Make sure your family knows two ways out of every room and has a designated meeting place outside.

🏠 Keep exits clear: Backpacks, shoes, sports equipment and other clutter shouldn't block hallways, stairs or doors.

🔋 Charge safely: Keep phones, tablets and other electronics on a hard surface while charging—not under a pillow or blanket.

📞 Know when to call 9-1-1: Make sure your kids know their address and understand that 9-1-1 is for emergencies.

And finally... have a great school year! CRFD is cheering you on!

08/22/2026

We had a productive day with media partners from Iowa's News Now, KWWL, The Gazette and KCRG-TV9 as we toured the stations involved in the CRFD bond measure going before voters this Fall.

We have attached links to their coverage so you can see, hear and read their articles related to this effort.

The Gazette
https://www.facebook.com/GazetteOnline/posts/pfbid0DYHkJFS7TcdGTLTmzMjQJ1ZSNRLzbPbrDNqqt9UKnLVbLELtonBYmqMAPDUSZc4Nl

https://www.facebook.com/GazetteOnline/posts/pfbid0mHu76btYiUjCKUyuUZrwS5o5J6Ke8C4dtUPZXHzasesDeVR55jaUjFKSjuaX9ogvl

KCRG
https://www.kcrg.com/2026/08/21/we-can-do-better-our-firefighters-crfd-asking-60m-bond-build-updated-safer-stations/

KWWL
https://www.kwwl.com/news/health-risks-at-cedar-rapids-fire-stations-push-60m-bond-vote-in-november/article_96a8ca5a-c2ef-47e8-b1bc-befbac7cf204.html

KGAN - Iowa's News Now
https://www.facebook.com/IowasNewsNow/posts/pfbid035FsWy2v6rmhNTtHLyeFKnFvh8Rmm1ZmFGg1aN4x9cEUFGf9eDyYC5bCTjy6SeRp1l

08/20/2026

On November 3, ballots for Cedar Rapids voters will have a yes/no vote for a bond to provide funding to replace, rebuild, or relocate 6 CRFD stations.
If you would like to learn more about the bond, what it entails, and which stations are affected, you can watch Interim Chief Halleran and Assistant Chief Smith's presentation to Cedar Rapids City Council here:
https://cedarrapidsia.new.swagit.com/videos/395805
Click on item #30 and that will fast-forward you to their presentation. (You can also manually click to the presentation at 1:26:40 on the timeline.)

You can also get more information at: www.cityofcr.com/firebond

08/13/2026

Last month, we had a great time at our Fire and Life Safety Camp! 🚒🔥

Our campers, ages 7–9, spent one week learning important safety skills while having plenty of hands-on fun. They took on the egg drop challenge, built 3D graham cracker home escape plans, and put their skills to the test during the Junior Firefighter Challenge.

Along the way, campers learned:
🚨 When and how to call 9-1-1
☎️ What is—and isn't—an emergency
🩹 Basic first aid
🔥 Fire prevention
🏠 Home fire escape planning

We loved seeing their teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout the week. We hope they went home with new skills, great memories, and a better understanding of how they can help keep themselves and their families safe.

Take a look back at some of our favorite moments from camp! 📸❤️

Interested in joining us for camp in 2027? Use the link below to join the interest list and when information is available, we will send it directly to you!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/UPppLaSUMJ

08/10/2026

🎒🍦 𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲!

Join us 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟱-𝟳𝗽 in Greene Square for our 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝘁𝗼-𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗵 + 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹!

We’re wrapping up summer with:

🍦 Ice cream
🎨 Face painting
🏰 Inflatables
🎲 Games and activities
🎒 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱

Bring the family and help us send summer out with one more big celebration in Greene Square! 🎉☀️

📅 Friday, August 14
⏰ 5-7p
📍 Greene Square

08/10/2026

No two responses are alike and our crews have to be ready to perform rescues in a variety of challenging environments. Last week, we spent several hours working on lift and rope securing techniques for immobilized victims. This is challenging work that takes a tremendous amount of time to learn and execute.

Often times, rescues like this aren't visible to the public and this helps show what's going on behind the scenes.

Firefighters rigged this lift system and training in our staircase at CRFD Central. Building a dedicated training facility is one of the goals of the CRFD Bond issue that may be going to voters this Fall.

08/05/2026

Momentum starts with a push, a single step, a commitment - and today, we're grateful for TrueNorth and the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation's support of our intent to build a new training facility. This is a big step in the right direction.

CRFD and 12 other groups recently received grants from the True North Legacy Foundation to improve our community. Our grant will be used as part of the effort to build a much-needed training facility offering live-burn and clean training facilities. It's all part of a long-term plan and this is an important signal to the community that groups who care are taking note of our need and offering their support.

We are grateful and humbled.