The largest wildfire in the state's history prompted first responders to become more efficient and more effective. Now, there's a team of officers and deputies in Larimer County who step in during natural disasters.
The Larimer County Regional All-Hazards Crisis Response team is comprised of 26 law enforcement officers from across the county. Some are patrol deputies, and others are police officers. Each member has received special weapons and tactics training and, upon joining the AHCR team, wildland fire training.
Most recently, the AHCR team responded to Buckhorn Canyon when flash floods tragically killed two people. Since the team was finalized in the spring of 2021, its members have been tasked with responding to similar natural disasters across the Front Range.
Lt. Ian Stewart of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office said the concept for a team of law enforcement officers who could also become certified wildland firefighters was first conceived about ten years ago.