Lookingglass Rural Fire District is asking for the community’s assistance following a troubling incident involving one of our reserve fire apparatus.

During a routine apparatus check, LRFD volunteers discovered a section of garden hose sticking out of the fuel tank of our reserve brush apparatus. Based on the circumstances and a review of station security camera footage, it appears an individual attempted to remove fuel from the apparatus.

While this vehicle is designated as a reserve unit, “reserve” does not mean unimportant. This apparatus remains part of LRFD’s emergency response capability and is maintained in a response-ready condition.

During larger wildland incidents, when additional LRFD personnel are available, this apparatus may respond as the second or third unit from the district. More importantly, if our primary brush apparatus is already committed to an incident, the reserve brush rig may become the first available LRFD apparatus for another wildland fire or emergency within our community.

For that reason, this incident is about much more than the apparent theft of fuel. Interfering with emergency apparatus has the potential to affect LRFD’s ability to respond when someone in our community calls 911.

What We Observed

After reviewing security camera footage, LRFD identified a vehicle that dropped off an individual near the station. That individual was subsequently observed around the station property and apparatus.

What makes this incident particularly concerning is what happened next.

LRFD was dispatched to a call for service while the individual was still on the property.

As LRFD volunteers arrived at the station to respond to the emergency, security footage appears to show the individual hiding as volunteers drove past. The individual then moved around the station property while our personnel were handling the call.

Our volunteers were ultimately canceled from the response and returned the response apparatus to the station. The individual later left the property.

During a subsequent apparatus check, the garden hose was discovered still inside the fuel tank of our reserve brush apparatus.

This Was Taken From the Community

Volunteer fire stations can be particularly vulnerable to theft because they are not continuously staffed. LRFD volunteers respond from their homes and workplaces when emergencies occur. However, even continuous staffing cannot eliminate every opportunity for criminal activity, particularly when emergency personnel are called away from the station.

LRFD equipment, fuel, and emergency resources are purchased and maintained through taxpayer funding, grants, donations, and countless hours of volunteer service.

When someone steals from a fire district, they are not simply taking something from an organization.

They are taking resources from the taxpayers and residents who paid for them.

More importantly, tampering with emergency equipment can potentially compromise apparatus that firefighters depend on to protect lives, homes, property, and our community.

We Are Asking for the Community’s Help

LRFD is sharing screenshots from our security camera footage showing the vehicle associated with this incident. We ask members of the community to carefully review the images.

If you recognize the vehicle, have information regarding the individual involved, or observed suspicious activity around the Lookingglass Fire Station related to this incident, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Please do not confront anyone or attempt to investigate the incident yourself. Any information, observations, photographs, or other relevant details should be provided directly to law enforcement.

We also encourage our community to remain vigilant. If you see or hear suspicious activity around your property, a neighbor’s property, the fire station, or other community facilities, contact law enforcement when appropriate. Never place yourself in danger by confronting a suspicious individual.

Our Commitment to Lookingglass Continues

Lookingglass Rural Fire District exists to protect this community. Our volunteers leave their homes, families, jobs, and daily activities when the pager goes off because someone in Lookingglass or a neighboring community needs help.

It is extremely troubling to know that while our volunteers were arriving at the station to answer a call for service, an individual was on fire district property and tampering with equipment maintained for emergency response.

We appreciate the Lookingglass community for continuing to look out for LRFD, our volunteers, and one another.

If you have information that may assist with this incident, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.