Now Accepting Applications: CRFD Mentorship Program
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the Cedar Rapids Fire Department Mentorship Program!
This unique opportunity is designed for students ages 16–22 who are interested in exploring a career in the fire service. Participants will be paired with a CRFD firefighter for one year, gaining firsthand experience through ride-alongs, Q&A, and hands-on training opportunities.
No prior firefighting experience is required—just a willingness to learn and a strong interest in serving the community.
Know a student who might be a great fit? Share this post and encourage them to apply! Applications are open now through May 31.
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Our Friday training ended with the full burn of this home on Zika Ave NW. Start to finish it took about 50 minutes for the house to be fully consumed and reached temps of about 1800 degrees.
Moments matter when it comes to your safety.
Call us first when there's trouble.
🚒👮♂️ Hero Camp Spots Still Available! 👮♀️🚒
We’re excited to share that spots are still available for our upcoming Hero Camp—and you won’t want to miss it!
Hero Camp is designed for children ages 5–6 and offers a fun, hands-on experience with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Campers will meet local heroes, explore emergency vehicles, and learn about the equipment used to keep our community safe.
🔗 To register for Hero Camp, use the link below.
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Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours soon!
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is honored to be a part of the Santa to a Senior program once again. Santa to a Senior has been organized by Home Instead for 20 years. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department would like to thank the following groups and businesses for coming together to make this possible for seniors in our community:
Home Instead
Aging Services
Heritage Area Agency on Aging
Linn Co. VA
VA Outreach Center
HyVee
Great America
Crystal Group
Collins Aerospace
City of Cedar Rapids City Services Center
Van Meter
Antioch Church
VFW Post 788
Marion Fire Department
We wish you all a very happy holiday season. Stay safe, we are here when you need us.
If you find yourself bringing new items into your home this holiday season, make sure you know how to use them safely.
New Cooking Tools? Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires. Never leave your cooking unattended, even just for a moment. Fires can start quickly and double in size every 30 seconds. Keep flammable items away from things that burn and always plug things that heat up (toasters, air fryers, coffee makers, etc.) directly into an outlet.
Devices with Lithium Ion Batteries? Lithium ion batteries are popular because they pack a powerful punch into a small unit. The issue is, if these batteries become damaged they can cause fires, especially when charging. Be sure to read through your device manual, but generally we recommend the following tips. Charge your device on a hard, flat surface. Don’t charge your device over night or when you leave the home. Don’t charge your device if it changes color, odor, or it’s making noise. When it comes time to dispose of the device, look for ways to recycle them locally.
Go on a hazard hunt in your home to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Move flammable items away from hot surfaces in your kitchen, charge devices on hard surfaces, and replace missing smoke alarms. Don’t forget, when you go to sleep at night, close before you doze. Wrap your home in safety this holiday season.
December and January holidays continue to be a “hot” time for home fires. Is your home wrapped in safety this holiday season?
• Cooking Fires: Don’t leave cooking unattended and keep flammable items away from hot surfaces. If a fire starts in your pan, the easiest way to extinguish it is with the lid. Don’t use water to extinguish grease fires.
• Heating Fires: Be sure to have your heating appliances checked by a qualified technician each year. Never use your oven to heat your home. If you’re using a space heater, keep it at least 3 feet from anything that can burn and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Holiday Décor: If you’re using candles, consider the flameless, battery operated type. If real candles are more your style, keep them at least 1 foot from anything that can burn. Don’t overload electrical outlets and remember, extension cords are only for temporary use.
2025 Truck or Treat Open House Costume Contest
Voting for our costume contest starts now and will run until Monday, November 3rd 8:00AM. To vote for your favorite costume, please like the picture. The winner will receive a ride in a fire truck!
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to this event. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Wishing everyone a very safe Halloween from CRFD!
Our Truck or Treat Open House is just around the corner! We can’t wait to see you on Thursday, October 30th 5:00PM-7:00PM right here at Central Fire Station. Check out the event details on Facebook for more information.
Want to win a CRFD t-shirt? Comment your guess of Chief Smith’s favorite candy for a chance to win! One person who guesses correctly will win a CRFD t-shirt. We will reveal the correct answer and the winner on Wednesday, October 29th. The winner must pick up the t-shirt at the event or during normal business hours at Central Fire Station.
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Join us for our Truck or Treat Open House on Thursday, October 30th 5:00PM-7:00PM. This free, family-friendly event is one you don’t want to miss.
Want to win a CRFD t-shirt? Guess how many pounds of candy we’ve purchased for the event. One person who correctly guesses the weight, rounded to the nearest pound, will win a CRFD t-shirt! We will reveal the weight and the winner on Wednesday, October 29th. The winner must pick up the t-shirt at the event or during normal business hours at Central Fire Station.
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It was a beautiful, recording breaking day at the last Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market of the year!
This weekend we teamed up with Area Ambulance Service to teach market goers how to perform Hands Only CPR. Over 150 people practiced this life-saving technique. Even for those who were already certified, this opportunity was a great way to refresh their skills.
Remember the two steps to save a life... First, call 9-1-1. Second, push hard and fast.
Stay safe, Cedar Rapids!
We hear there might be a world record broken at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market this weekend, we want in on the fun, too!
Come see us at the last farmers market of the season this Saturday, September 20 7:30am-12:00pm. Along with our partners, Area Ambulance, we will be teaching market goers hands only CPR on 4th Ave. by Greene Square. Whether you've never practiced CPR or your certified, this is a perfect opportunity to test your skills! Last year we were able to teach 100 citizens hands only CPR, can we beat that this year?
We can't wait to see you at the market this weekend!
