Vail Fire Department's Ride-Along Program provides interested persons with an insight into the daily operations of our department. It is our hope you will find the experience both insightful and enjoyable.

Program details and safety rules

• You will be assigned to a firefighter and an fire truck. The firefighter will typically be already assigned to the truck and has a number of routine duties they need to perform.  We cannot forego the firefighter’s obligation to fulfill these duties. You are welcome to observe and participate under the supervision of the firefighter to the extent the firefighter allows you to participate.

• Your safety is important to us. You may observe fire personnel in their daily routine, which may include responding to emergency situations and may present real or perceived risks.  Firefighting is dangerous. Examples of emergencies we respond to include fires, emergency medical - including traumatic and graphic accidents - hazardous materials and motor vehicle accidents.

• Responding to emergency calls in a fire truck is inherently dangerous. You are required to wear a seat belt at all times.

• You may be instructed not to enter a scene, stay in the truck, or avoid exposure to potential hazards. This is not intended to be exclusionary but serves to ensure your safety. 

• There will likely be certain elements of calls which you may see or hear, that legally constitute confidential information. You are asked to refrain from disclosing, noting, repeating, photographing, or discussing confidential information with anyone outside of the department.  Your signature on this document is hereby declared to be an expressed agreement to maintain confidentiality unless compelled to disclose such under subpoena.

• We will be happy to discuss departmental operations and answer questions. You are encouraged to ask questions.  The fire personnel have a duty to act in certain circumstances.  Failure to address your question during incidents is not an intentional discourtesy. If your question is not answered, please feel free to ask again once you and the fire crew return to the station.

• Your ride-along shall not exceed 12 hours. You are prohibited from entering the duty bedrooms.

• Participants under the age of 18 shall require permission of the Fire Chief. The following restrictions apply for participants under the age of 18 (these restrictions may be modified for participants in organized programs such as work-experience, cadet or explorer programs).

• Ride-alongs will be limited to a maximum duration of four hours.
• Ride-alongs will be scheduled between the hours of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Participants will be limited to a maximum of two ride-alongs per calendar year.

• Ride-alongs will not be conducted while a firefighter recruitment process is open and accepting applications. For the purposes of this policy, a recruitment process is considered open from the date a firefighter position is posted until conditional offers of employment have been issued or the recruitment has otherwise been closed by the department.

  This restriction is intended to maintain the integrity and fairness of the recruitment process, ensure all candidates are evaluated through the same selection procedures, and prevent actual or perceived preferential access to department personnel, operations, or information.

  Recruitment-related events, department-sponsored candidate orientations, testing processes, and other activities specifically authorized by the Fire Chief or their designee are exempt from this restriction.

Ride-Along Appearance Requirements

We expect personnel to maintain a high standard of professional appearance. This is maintained through our uniform standard and grooming expectations. The following will help assure you meet our standards of appearance

• Please arrive in a well-groomed manner appropriate for a professional workplace.
• Dress shall include dark pants (no blue jeans), a white or gray dress shirt (i.e. collar), belt, undergarments, and a “duty” boot or light hiking boot. Gym shoes are not permitted, unless engaged in fitness activities.
• Depending on weather conditions, a coat or light jacket, gloves, and warm hat suitable for the workplace.
• We recommend workout clothing in the event you participate in daily fitness training with your assigned company. This may include loose fitting shorts, T-shirt, sweatpants/top, and gym shoes. No torn or cut apparel will be permitted.
• Unless previously approved, no outside agency logos may be displayed while on your ride-along.
• No ball caps will be permitted.
• A safety reflective vest will be provided and required to be worn when instructed.

Additional Recommendations:

• Pocket money for meals

• Bathroom essentials

• Water bottle

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

Release Form

Fill out the form below to participate in a ride-along with Vail Fire. Please schedule your ride-along at least 14 days in advance, so we can do our best to accommodate your request. 

COVENANT NOT TO SUE, PROMISE TO RELEASE 

In consideration of permission which I have received to accompany one or more Vail Fire & Emergency Services personnel, Town of Vail, Eagle County, Colorado, a municipal corporation, in the course of their duties, I the undersigned, do by these presents release the Town of Vail, its fire fighters, public officials, agents, servants and employees thereof, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action(s) which I may hereafter have on account of any and all injuries and damage to me or my property, or my death, arising out of or related to any happening or occurrence while I am accompanying any fire fighter(s), officer(s), or riding, standing on, sitting on or near any fire apparatus of the Town of Vail or incidental thereto, and for the same consideration, I promise to release, the covenant not to sue the said Town and the said person(s), and agree to forever hold them and each of them harmless from any such liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of actions.

The terms hereof shall be of full force and effect on the date hereof and on any other occasion when I may hereafter accompany any Vail Fire & Emergency Services personnel.

I have read and understand that conditions of this program as stated and hereby voluntarily assume all risk of loss, damage, or injury to me or my property, including death, which may be sustained while or incidental to accompanying one or more Vail Fire & Emergency personnel while on duty.

This release and agreement shall be binding upon me and my heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the said Town, agents, public officials, and persons herein designated, and their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns, and successors in office.