West Metro Fire says it is changing its daily uniforms after recent threats to first responders, specifically police officers.
The Class B uniforms that West Metro firefighters typically wear when they're out in public, speaking at schools and going to public events, is a navy blue, button-down shirt with a badge. When they wear those uniforms, sometimes the firefighters are mistaken for police officers, said West Metro Fire spokeswoman Ronda Scholting.
West Metro said it is now having firefighters were their Class C uniforms, which they usually wear around the firehouse or under their gear while doing drills. The Class C uniforms are blue t-shirts with a West Metro Fire Rescue logo printed on the left front pocket area and the word FIRE written in large red letters in the back.
West Metro Fire wrote on Facebook, "In light of recent threats toward first responders in the Denver area, effective immediately, West Metro firefighters are changing their daily uniforms. Our crews will be wearing their Class C uniforms until further notice."
On Sunday someone called Aurora police from a disconnected cell phone and threatened to shoot police officers who are alone.
The caller said, "It's time that you guys know we are no longer playing around with the police departments. Aurora and Denver, we are about to start striking fear shooting down all cops that we see by their selves (sic). This will go for the Sheriff's Department. You guys are evicting innocent people. Let us catch you by your self and it's shots fired."
Information about the threat was immediately relayed to officers and neighboring departments.
West Metro Fire Rescue provides service to nearly 250,000 people in Lakewood, Morrison, parts of Golden and Wheat Ridge, parts of unincorporated Littleton and Jefferson County and in the Roxborough communities and Waterton Canyon.