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La Junta Fire Department Announces Transition to Reserve Firefighter Program Beginning January 1, 2026
Description: The La Junta Fire Department will transition from a volunteer firefighter model to a Reserve Firefighter Program in 2026, strengthening training standards, operational readiness, and emergency services for the La Junta community and surrounding district.
La Junta Fire Department Public Release Statement: Transition to Reserve Firefighter Program
The La Junta Fire Department is announcing a planned transition from its current volunteer firefighter program to a Reserve Firefighter Program, effective 1/1/2026. This change reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable, professional, and high-quality emergency services to the residents of the City of La Junta and the La Junta Rural Fire Protection District.
Under the new Reserve Firefighter Program, participating firefighters will be required to hold, at minimum, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification for the application process and will obtain Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) certification, and structural firefighter training at the same level as the current career staff employed by the Department. These qualifications are intended to enhance operational readiness, improve service delivery, and ensure firefighters are prepared to meet the diverse emergency response needs of our community.
Impact to Current Volunteers
Current volunteers who do not meet the new minimum qualifications have been formally advised that they will be relieved of their volunteer duties effective December 31, 2025.
Volunteers who do not currently meet the qualifications but who obtain the required certifications in the future are welcome to reapply for a position within the Department, should they be interested and positions are available at that time.
Mutual Aid and Regional Response
This transition will not impact mutual aid responses to neighboring jurisdictions. The La Junta Fire Department will continue to operate under its established response plan. When mutual aid is requested, the on-duty staff and a Chief Officer will respond in the vehicles requested by the agency seeking assistance. During these responses, the Department ensures that the station and fire district are backfilled with duty staff to maintain appropriate coverage within our jurisdiction.
Department Leadership and EMS Oversight
The Department would also like to address questions regarding departmental leadership and emergency medical services oversight. The Fire Chief does not hold EMT certification, which is accurate and fully known to both the City of La Junta and the La Junta Rural Fire Protection District. The Fire Chief serves in an administrative capacity and functions as the Incident Commander on fire and EMS scenes, consistent with state and national incident management practices.
All EMS operations, including state licensure compliance, coordination with the Medical Director, and communication with the Regional Trauma Advisory Council, fall under the responsibility of Deputy Chief Aaron Childers, who oversees these functions in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
Public Communication
Members of the public seeking additional information regarding this transition may contact the Fire Chief directly in person at Station 1. The La Junta Fire Department encourages open, direct, and respectful communication and believes these methods provide the most accurate and meaningful exchange of information.
The Department will not comment on or engage in discussions through social media platforms regarding this matter and respectfully asks that questions or concerns be directed through the established communication channels listed above.
Commitment to the Community
The La Junta Fire Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. The transition to a Reserve Firefighter Program represents a proactive step toward strengthening emergency services while maintaining the cooperative relationships and response capabilities our community and regional partners rely on.
Respectfully,
La Junta Rural Fire Protection District Board
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