Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. The regular meeting of the TFPD Board of Directors met April 16, 2019 at station #7, 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m., followed by the pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence for rescue workers and their families and roll call. Two members of the board were absent.

Board President Chip Smith moved to call an executive session of the board to meet with Linda Glesne of Collins, Cockrel and Cole. The board reported Glesne provided counsel for Colorado Sierra Fire Protection District’s prior resolutions regarding Roosevelt Ridge subdivision and Commercial Building Impact Fees, or, 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S. The motion passed unanimously, and executive session commenced from 7:03 p.m. until 8:06 p.m.

After unanimously approving the minutes from the previous meeting on March 19, the board moved on to new business, announcing Lyssa Grey will be taking on the administration function for the 911 Board of Directors.

In old business, further discussion and/or a decision regarding the question of firefighters serving as TFPD Board members was tabled until next month’s meeting. Approval on a final draft of the chief’s evaluation was tabled until next month as well.

Chief Odnr reported that TFPD responded to 42 calls in March. Negotiations with Central City Fire Department regarding updating the existing agreement for structure fires continues.

The total current number of volunteer firefighters is at 52, which is lower than usual. A working interview for all new applicants is scheduled for June 9, 2019. Applications will.be accepted until May 17, 2019.

On April 27, 2019, the burn trailer will be used at Gilpin County Fairground for a public demonstration. More information will be available on the TFPD Facebook page.

The first mutual aid training with Black Hawk and Central City Fire Departments was completed this month. Additional upcoming training includes IDHL training in April and training at the NFA in Loveland from May 4-10.

A new brush truck is on the replacement schedule for 2021, and the process of selecting a vendor is underway.

Mountain Broadband internet has been approved to be installed at stations 1,2,4,6 and 8 at a cost totaling $1028 for equipment and $191 monthly for the service.

A meeting is scheduled for next month with Eldora Ski Resort to discuss their expansion into Gilpin County.

Wildland fire season is approaching. A 15-acre fire near Lyons and Allenspark was contained on April 8, 2019. No evacuations were necessary, and no structures were lost.

The meeting of the TFPD Board of Directors adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2019 at station #7, 660 Highway 46, Black Hawk at 7 p.m.

Firefighters Honored

Firefighter of the Year: Chris Bondus
Special project award: Rob Savoye (mapping for tablets)
Above and Beyond: John Arendt
Rookie of the Year: Rox Astemborski
Most calls for an officer: Chris Schimanskey
Most calls for a FF: Ney Neto
Highest Resident hours: Caleb Skeen
Highest training hours: Aaron Jones
5 year: Todd Barron
30 years: Galen Koepke
40 Years: Chris Schimanskey

(Originally published in the May 2, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)