The Golden Fire Department will be unveiling a statue this morning to honor nearly 150 years of volunteer fire service in the City of Golden. The bronze statue depicts three life-sized figures – a male firefighter kneeling beside a child, and a female firefighter with her hand on the child’s shoulder.
Meet at the fire station (map) at 11AM. The presentations will begin at 11:30.
In 1872, the first formal fire brigade was established in Golden. By 1879, three brigades combined into one, creating the Golden Fire Department (GFD). For the subsequent 136 years, Golden relied on volunteers to protect the city. Today, the GFD is a full-service, combination department with 35 volunteer firefighters and 30 full-time paid firefighters and administrative staff. They not only respond to fires, but they also respond to wildland fires, water rescues, high-angle rope rescues, ice rescues, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, hazardous materials incidents, and other calls for service. They are one of the most highly-trained departments in the state.
In 2019, when the project for the statue began, Golden’s volunteer firefighters responded to 2,322 emergency incidents and logged 16,173 hours for training and shifts. These dedicated men and women give their time and expertise, often at great personal costs, to protect, serve and rescue all who live, work, or visit the City of Golden. The statue represents the diversity of our fire personnel, and it was 100% funded by donations – mostly from residents and businesses – as a way to say thank you.
The artist, Austin Weishel, is a volunteer firefighter himself and often combines his two passions – art and firefighting. A Colorado resident, Weishel’s statues stand proudly outside several fire stations throughout the country, including one at Station 2 in downtown Washington, D.C. He is happy to bring his artistry to his home state. The statue will be permanently placed outside Station 21 in downtown Golden.
Parking: Golden Welcome Center at 1010 Washington Avenue or the Clear Creek Parking Lot at 304 10th St, Golden, CO 80401
Enjoy Some Fire Department History Stories:
