Merino Volunteer Fire Department

06/01/2026

Today we’re celebrating our Chief and wishing him an outstanding birthday!
Chief Wiebers, thank you for your dedicated leadership, countless hours of service, and the passion you bring to the Merino Volunteer Fire Department every single day. Your guidance and commitment to our community and our firefighters mean more than you know.
We hope your day is filled with joy, good company, and maybe even a slice of cake (or a donut 😉). You deserve all the best today and always!
From all of us at Merino Volunteer Fire Department — your fire family — we’re grateful for you and wish you a very Happy Birthday!

05/26/2026

🏊☀️ **Safety Tip Tuesday – Week 21: Pool Safety** ☀️🏊

Hot days and cool pools are a great combo… but water safety should always come first. It only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen.

Keep your family safe around the pool:
✔️ Never leave children unattended near water
✔️ Keep gates and pool fences closed and secured
✔️ Avoid running on wet surfaces
✔️ Keep lifesaving equipment nearby and phones charged

And remember—“I’ll just look away for a second” is usually how trouble starts. 👀

Take a minute to talk pool safety with your family and help keep summer fun AND safe in Merino! 🚒

05/25/2026

Here’s a Memorial Day community post for Merino Volunteer Fire Department:

🇺🇸❤️ **Memorial Day – Honoring the Brave** ❤️🇺🇸

Today, the Merino Volunteer Fire Department pauses to remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer or a long weekend—it’s a time to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who gave everything for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

As you gather with family and friends today, please take a moment to remember our fallen heroes and the families who continue to carry their legacy.

And while you’re enjoying the holiday weekend, don’t forget a few safety reminders:
🔥 Be careful with grills and fire pits
🚗 Drive safely and watch for increased traffic
💧 Stay hydrated and keep an eye on one another

From all of us at Merino Volunteer Fire Department, thank you to all who have served and sacrificed. We will never forget. 🇺🇸🚒

05/20/2026

We apologize for yesterday’s Safety Tip Tuesday post not going out as scheduled.
Thanks for your patience and continued support as we work to keep our community informed and safe!

🚒🚧 **Safety Tip Tuesday – Week 20: Fire Lanes & Hydrant Parking** 🚧🚒

We get it—sometimes you’re “just running in real quick”… but parking in a fire lane or in front of a hydrant can slow us down when every second counts. And trust us, we don’t like moving your vehicle the *hard way*. 😬

Help keep emergency access open:
✔️ Never park in a marked fire lane
✔️ Stay at least **15 feet away** from fire hydrants
✔️ Watch for signs and painted curbs—those rules are there for a reason
✔️ Remind guests, delivery drivers, and visitors to do the same

Fire lanes and hydrants are our lifelines—blocking them can delay help when it’s needed most.

Take a second, park smart, and help keep Merino safe. Share this reminder with your neighbors! 🚒

05/15/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🚒 **International Family Day** 🚒👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

You know the saying… you can’t choose your family — but you can make sure they know where the fire extinguisher is 😄

Today we’re celebrating **International Family Day**, and here at Merino Volunteer Fire Department, family means everything. Not just the ones at home, but the neighbors, friends, and community members we look out for every day.

Families are often the first line of safety — whether it’s reminding each other to check smoke alarms, having a plan in case of an emergency, or just making sure everyone’s home safe at the end of the day.

🔥 A quick family safety check:
• Do you have a home escape plan?
• Are your smoke detectors working?
• Does everyone know what to do in an emergency?

It might not be the most exciting dinner table conversation… but it could make all the difference.

From our fire family to yours — stay safe, take care of each other, and enjoy the time you have together!

— Merino Volunteer Fire Department

05/14/2026

🔥🚩 **FIRE WEATHER WATCH – THURSDAY** 🚩🔥

Merino community, Thursday is shaping up to be another day to stay weather aware.

A **Fire Weather Watch** is in effect for **Thursday (5/14) from 11 AM through 9 PM** due to expected strong winds and low humidity. These conditions can increase the risk of fast-moving grass and field fires across our area.

👉 **A few reminders to help prevent fires:**
• Avoid outdoor burning
• Be careful with anything that could create sparks
• Secure trailer chains and check equipment
• Don’t toss ci******es out vehicle windows

Out here in Colorado, the wind likes to keep firefighters employed 😅 — but we’d much rather spend the day *not* chasing grass fires.

Please stay alert, use caution, and help us keep our community safe. If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately.

Stay safe, Merino! 🚒💪

05/13/2026

Congratulations Chief Howell.

PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Following the recommendation of the city manager and the acceptance by city council this evening, the Sterling Fire Department is proud to announce the promotion and appointment of Captain Cody Howell as the next Fire Chief of the Sterling Fire Department. Captain Howell is a 25 year veteran of the Sterling Fire Department and a United States Marine Corp Veteran. He has held various ranks within the department over his career including Engineer and Captain. Captain Howell brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience with him. Please help us congratulate and welcome Sterling Fire Chief Cody Howell.

05/12/2026

🔥🌾 Safety Tip Tuesday: Week 19 – Grass Fires 🌾🔥

Around here, it doesn’t take much—one spark, one hot exhaust, or one dragging chain—and suddenly that “quick drive” turns into a not-so-quick fire. 😬

Keep grass fires from getting started:
✔️ Avoid parking or driving in tall, dry grass
✔️ Secure chains so they’re not dragging behind vehicles
✔️ Keep equipment maintained—hot engines and sparks don’t mix
✔️ Be extra cautious on windy days

Grass fires move fast… but a little prevention moves faster.

Take a minute to check your vehicle and equipment today, and share this reminder with your neighbors. Let’s keep Merino safe! 🚒

05/05/2026

🔥🍔 Safety Tip Tuesday – Week 18: BBQ Safety 🍔🔥

Grill season is here, Merino! Nothing beats a backyard BBQ… unless it turns into a backyard bonfire 😬

Keep it safe while you cook:
✔️ Keep grills at least 10 feet from anything that can burn
✔️ Never leave the grill unattended
✔️ Clean grease buildup to prevent flare-ups
✔️ Keep a hose or extinguisher nearby

A little smoke = great flavor.
A LOT of smoke = call us 🚒

Stay safe and share this reminder with your neighbors!