Dykshorn: Cheyenne Fire Rescue is prepared for data center fires
Cheyenne Fire Chief Andrew Dykshorn assures residents about the community's preparedness for data center fires and hazardous materials response. He details the fire protection measures in modern data centers and Cheyenne Fire Rescue's capabilities, including plan reviews, inspections, specialized strategies, and hazardous materials personnel. The chief emphasizes that safety is the top priority and that CFR maintains readiness for such incidents.
Cheyenne Fire Chief Andrew Dykshorn addressed community concerns regarding fire safety and hazardous materials response for the city's existing and under-construction data centers. In a public statement, Chief Dykshorn outlined the robust fire protection systems mandated for modern data centers, including early-detection smoke systems, clean-agent suppression, fire-rated separation, and automatic sprinkler systems, all built to current code standards.
He explained that Cheyenne Fire Rescue's (CFR) Fire Prevention Division conducts thorough fire and life-safety plan reviews before construction, covering critical aspects like suppression systems, emergency power, hazardous materials storage, and site access. Post-operation, CFR conducts annual inspections and coordinated exercises with facility staff to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness.
CFR employs specialized response strategies for data centers, focusing on rapid containment, protection of electrical equipment, and managing battery-related hazards. The department also maintains highly trained hazardous materials personnel, serving as the host agency for Regional Response Team 7 through the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security. Chief Dykshorn reaffirmed CFR's commitment to protecting lives and property, ensuring the community's safety amidst data center development.