Colorado Sierra Fire recognition

Annual Awards Banquet and 2004 reflection

Caitlyn Miller

1/27/2005 - The Colorado Sierra Fire Department has been serving mid-Gilpin for 33 years. It started with an idea and hand-me down equipment. Now it is styling with new fire trucks and the idea has become a reality, a small rural volunteer fire department, with 17 members, two stations, and four trucks.           

  January 15^th found most of the Colorado Sierra Fire Department members dining at the Westfalen Hof restaurant in Coal Creek Canyon for their annual awards dinner. As they looked back at 2004, it was a year of change. 

  It was out with the old truck, a1983 Chevy, and in with the new, a Ford F-550 brush truck with foam capabilities. Five new members joined the fire department, all of which exceeded the minimum training requirements. Grant administrator/firefighter Cece Miller multiplied the $100,000 budget by 143% with the many grants she wrote and was awarded. The newest truck was one of the many items purchased with the grant money.  The Fire Department will also be purchasing a new Cascade system to re-fill the air bottles used in fighting house fires and, new bunker gear.

  CSFD had 83 calls of which 37 were medical assists, 20 were hazardous conditions which includes gas leaks and the like and, 8 fires which included structure and wildland as mutual aid to the other Gilpin county agencies.

  At the dinner awards were given to the 13 members who met or exceeded the training requirement of 36 hours. These individuals received custom embroidered jackets with the department logo and the firefighter’s name. After the seriousness, three bloopers were awarded. Chris Anderson received the Roughneck blooper for striking oil during truck inspections. Along with his certificate he was presented a quart of oil and a roll of paper towels. Firefighter Trainee Anderson was also promoted from rookie status to firefighter status. Greg Swartz was bestowed the Magnetic attraction award of WT 24. Chief Ryan Roberts received the towing award for attempting to purchase stock in the local towing companies. Chief Roberts received his very own Tonka™ tow truck.

  In 2005 the department will continue to pursue grants, an extensive training program and, most of all they will continue to do their best to protect and serve the community. New recruits are always welcome; gear and training is provided. For information call 303-582-5786.