HCFPD aims to move forward
Physically and philosophically
High Country Fire Protection District (HCFPD) Board of Directors met the evening of May 21, 2009. The District has been updating vehicles and equipment and is now looking to relocate Station 1.
Time to Move
A recurring landslide behind Station 1, currently located on Highway 92 near Pinecliffe, threatens the structure and causes drainage problems. The station is built so close to the rock cliff behind it, that access to the landslide and the ground above it is treacherous. As the hillside is likely above an old fault line, one firefighter (whose “real” job is geologist) said the ground would keep fragmenting and slipping down to the station’s back wall. Large rocks could also dislodge and tumble onto the roof or into the walls. A fix could cost as much as $120,000. That’s the nature-made problem at Station 1; there’s a man-made problem, as well. Firefighting equipment has gotten much larger in size since Station 1 was built. Now, Said Richard Bulich, HCFPD Chief, the three vehicles housed at Station 1 must be parked so close together there are barely inches between the sides and the station’s doorframe-so close firefighters can’t even get into one truck from the driver’s side. It’s time to move or abandon the station, the Board decided. They’ve directed Chief Bulich to look for another location, preferably close by Station 1’s current spot. HCFPD tries to space stations about five miles apart to provide the best fire protection to all areas of the Gilpin/Boulder County district.
Station 6
Excavation is underway for the water storage tank that will be placed near Highway 46 and Smith Hill Road, the location for a planned new station, Station 6. The driveway and culvert are already in. Trees will need to be cut before construction can begin.
Personnel Issues
More than ninety minutes of the meeting was spent on public comment regarding a personnel issue. One firefighter opted for a public versus executive session to discuss his suspension. Firefighters from his station, Station 3, had expressed concerns for their own safety in working with the suspended firefighter, although their complaints actually came out during a disciplinary appeal of another firefighter. The suspended firefighter said he was unaware of their complaints and believed some of them to be erroneous. After hearing from the public and the parties involved, the Board and Chief Bulich determined there may have been some miscommunication or misinterpretation and more investigation is needed. The HCFPD Personnel Board is to revisit the case and inform the Board of Directors of their results. Meanwhile, the firefighter remains suspended with the possible exception of attending training sessions.
800 Pound Gorilla
One firefighter referred to a north/south split within the department, calling it the 800 pound gorilla the department “has been dancing around for two years.” Another firefighter said that split is “new vs. old.” HCFPD’s coverage area spans Gilpin County and extends into Boulder County at the north end. In May, 2008, a new Board of Directors was elected by taxpayers within the district and a new chief was elected by firefighters. There have been disagreements, mainly between some firefighters and the Board, on several occasions. “Are we done yet?” the firefighter asked, “We’ve been fighting for how long?” “We’re embarrassing ourselves,” he concluded. A suggestion to pick sides, pick delegates and have them work it out evolved into all agreeing they eed to pick the side of the community and move forward. “It just takes good will,” said Fire Inspector Dean Davis.
Fire Inspector
Dean Davis is HCFPD’s Fire Inspector. He asked how quickly HCFPD can change to the new building codes. The County uses new international codes, he said, and the older codes being used by HCFPD conflict. The codes will be needed for the church that is to be constructed near the ball fields, said Davis. He is responsible for inspecting public buildings such as the school, Justice Center, Recreation Center, campgrounds, commercial businesses, etc. Davis is developing a spreadsheet for the buildings and how often they need to be inspected.
New Deputy Chief
Galen Koepke was appointed Deputy Chief, replacing Gibb Mohan who is now handling maintenance. Mohan was thanked for his years of service as a firefighter and Deputy Chief. Either Koepke or Chief Bulich will present the Chief’s report at monthly meetings.
Training
HCFPD and CSFPD firefighters have done some joint training with HCFPD paying 2/3 and CSFPD 1/3 of training costs. Because of differences in training standards, the two districts will conduct separate trainings for the time being. HCFPD pays a contractor $35 per hour to train firefighters on new procedures as well as refresher courses.
New Trucks
HCFPD made the second payment of $164,000 on their new all-wheel-drive “Monster Truck.” The 2009 tanker holds 3,000 gallons of water and weighs 57,000 pounds when full. The truck’s size (the first step to get up into the truck is 30 inches from the ground) means special training will be needed to learn how to drive the top-heavy vehicle and operate its electronic pump and other equipment. The truck arrived in Gilpin last week and will be housed in Station 3.
Station 2’s new truck was scheduled to be in service this week.
Old Trucks
Several old vehicles, including an engine, brush truck, rescue truck and tender, will be put up for bid.
A variety of other old equipment, including manual hydraulic extrication equipment, pump, computer printers, etc. will be recycled if possible or otherwise disposed of to clear clutter and improve safety.
Still Merging
HCFPD’s $2,500 contribution to the Timberline Fire Authority (TFA) account had been made, said Treasurer Dale Sternlicht. John Rittenhouse updated the HCFPD Board on progress of the merge with Colorado Sierra Fire Protection District (CSFPD). The board directing that merge operates under the TFA name, although the actual fire departments remain separate. TFA has hired a facilitator, said Rittenhouse, to guide them to the point of an election when, ultimately, the voters of both districts will decide if the two can merge. There is no date final on when that election will be. The TFA Board, comprised of members from both districts, will be looking at Standard Operating Guidelines being developed for the merger.
CWPP
With the Board’s approval, Chief Bulich will sign the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CSPP) recently completed by Gilpin County. In signing, HCFPD is agreeing to the concepts of the Plan but is not entering into any contractual agreement. The CWPP does provide some grant funding opportunities, Bulich noted.
Executive Session
Following the public session, the Board met in Executive Session with their attorney, Marc Cohen, to discuss open session and personnel issues. HCFPD’s Board meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Station 2.