Durham changes HCFPD hat

Lynn Volkens

06/05/2008 - With the High Country Fire Protection District (HCFPD) election now over and with Roger Durham a newly elected Director on their Board, the Fire Chief’s red hat has been officially transferred to new Chief Richard Bulich. The announcement of the change was made at HCFPD’s April 16^th meeting (though it wasn’t certain until the HCFPD meeting last week that it would stick). Durham received a standing ovation in recognition of his service. The salute recognized 34 years of service as an HCFPD member. That included two years as Deputy Chief, two years as Captain of Station Two and 24 years as HCFPD’s Fire Chief. Durham had been a Gilpin resident for only one year before signing on as a volunteer firefighter. He wanted to go on fire calls and help people, he said, and that remains his number one priority. He’ll continue to be an active firefighter.

  The former Chief can look back over two decades of accomplishments in his HCFPD service to Gilpinites. Firefighter safety, accomplished through training and practice meant no serious injuries (a few minor ones, Durham conceded) and no major vehicle accidents. As the need for equipment grew over the years, Durham helped obtain funding via grants and working with the HCFPD Board of Directors on a $450,000 bond issue. That’s been paid off and the district has money in the bank for future needs. During Durham’s tenure as Chief, HCFPD purchased tanker/engines, brush trucks, hydraulic extrication equipment, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA’s) and a compressor to fill them, bunker gear (HCFPD now purchases all Personal Protective Equipment for firefighters, Durham noted, “When I started in 1974, we had rain gear for bunkers and had to purchase our own wild land boots.”), storage racks, a thermal imager, a hose tester, radio equipment, gas/oxygen meters, computers and office furnishings, internet service, and several underground water storage tanks located throughout the county. Stations Three (across from the ball fields) and Five (Smith Hill Road) were updated to accommodate engines. Station Three was remodeled to provide current administrative office space and potential firefighter living quarters in the future. Office space at Station Two (north of Last Shot) was converted to living quarters to accommodate Gilpin Ambulance crews stationed there full-time, thanks to a mutual aid agreement that Durham, Gilpin Ambulance, Boulder and Gilpin Counties worked out. As part of his duties, Durham was responsible for making sure all of the trucks, equipment and stations were maintained and well-kept. All of this was done without raising taxes, an important achievement to Durham.  

  There were also administrative changes initiated by Durham. He started the Training Committee and also a Personnel Board for conflict management. He created an administrative position so HCFPD could hire someone to handle growing paperwork. HCFPD’s communications issues are handled by Communications Officers, another position Durham created.  Mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments and districts were all developed during this time, as were the good working relationships with police, search and rescue, state and federal forest service and health department agencies that exist today. For four years, Durham was chairman of the Chiefs group that worked on those agreements. He also worked with HCFPD’s Board in adopting the first fire codes for the district, approved by both Gilpin and Boulder counties, and keeping them up to date. Some Gilpinites will remember Durham’s input, working with the Fire Marshal, on the Justice and Community Centers, Gilpin School, Paradise Valley and numerous businesses located within HCFPD’s jurisdiction. Still more might recall seeing Durham, along with most of the district’s members, helping HCFPD’s Auxiliary at the County Fair pancake Breakfast, the Flea Market (they’ll be at the Exhibit Barn this weekend) and the annual chili dinners. Durham figured he’d attended more than 280 HCFPD Board meetings over the years – and he’s not done yet.

  There are more Board meetings ahead, now that Durham’s replaced his Chief’s hat with that of Director. He considers HCFPD Directors to be public servants and hopes the public will stay involved in decision making as they’re the ones paying the bills. His goals include relocating Station One and building Station Six at Highway 46 and Smith Hill Road. He’d like to see more community underground water storage tanks installed-that will help lower ISO (homeowner’s insurance) ratings and fully supports a merger between HCFPD and Colorado Sierra Fire Protection District. In fact, he favors a county-wide fire protection district. Safety of the firefighters remains top priority for Durham, so continuous improvement in training (Firefighter One, Hazmat, Wildland/Red Card) and purchasing operating equipment to make the job easier and safer. “I have been glad to help the community,” Durham said.