The Golden Gate Fire Protection District (GGFPD) Board agreed to form an executive committee during a regular meeting on Thursday, April 25, at the Grange. President Deb Curlee, Niffy Ovuworie, Vice president, and Treasurer/Secretary Marith Reheis were present, so the Board had a quorum.

The Board approved an official statement regarding conflict of interest with Fire Chief Benson. The Board of Directors of the District has determined to accept the MOU between the Golden Gate Fire Protection District and Timberline Sawyers LLC dba Forestwerx. The sole owner of Timberline Sawyers is Kyle Kociemba-Benson, Fire Chief of GGFPD.

The MOU included the following wording: “To ensure absolute clarity regarding avoidance of conflict of interest between Timberline Sawyers LLC dba Forestwerx, of which the sole owner is Kyle Kociemba-Benson, and the Golden Gate Fire Protection District, of which Kyle Kociemba-Benson is the Fire Chief, I hereby declare that Timberline Sawyers LLC and any of its subsidiaries, shall not participate in any work for financial compensation within the Golden Gate Fire Protection District boundaries as defined by the District’s Title 32 filing.”

Ovuworie proposed that the district should form an executive committee to foster official communication. This would be composed of the president and treasurer and would meet outside of Board meetings. The executive committee cannot give directions except from the Board so will have no new power and cannot give direction to the fire chief. A newly seated Board can dissolve the committee. The Board approved.

The full text of the motion regarding formation of the Executive Committee follows.

Purpose:

In order to foster a consistent, effective, and efficient line of communication for the conduct of Official Business of the District, the Executive Committee shall be established.

Composition:

Per recommendation from legal counsel, the membership of the Executive Committee shall include the President and Treasurer.

Authority:

The Executive Committee shall have the authority to communicate with the District’s Fire Chief, agents, employees, volunteers, engineers, accountants, advisors, consultants, and attorneys concerning the Official Business of the District outside of Regular and Special Board Meetings.

The Executive Committee shall not have the authority to give directions to the District’s Fire Chief, agents, employees, volunteers, engineers, accountants, advisors, consultants, or attorneys except as specifically authorized by the affirmative majority vote of the Board.

Individual Board members shall not have the authority to contact, communicate with, or give directions to the District’s Fire Chief, agents, employees, volunteers, engineers, accountants, advisors, consultants, or attorneys except:

• As specifically authorized by the affirmative majority vote of the Board.

• During Regular and Special Board Meetings and shall be limited to discussion of the conduct of Official Business of the District.

Term:

The Executive Committee shall cease to exist upon the regular Election of Officers for the Board.

The Board approved the motion.

Ovuworie made a motion to censure Board member Steve Green for using his personal email and then tabled it to allow the executive committee to handle the issue in order to prevent a lawsuit against the Board.

Fire Chief Benson reported that the mountain chiefs group met on Monday with Jefferson County regarding the Wildland Fire and All Hazards agreement. The documents went through a final review with all parties, and they will be available for district signature in May.

Jeffcom has now absorbed all emergency dispatching for Clear Creek County and will also be absorbing dispatching for Platte Canyon Fire in Park county. Jeffcom is fully staffed and has ensured that they are able to absorb the extra call volume, but staff increases may be considered in 2025 if they reach a tipping point.

Chief Benson has joined a new advisory group for Jeffcom that was created in the last month to address the specific communication needs of the mountain agencies. On the state level, GGFPD continues to monitor several bills that may have an impact on the district, including SB24-194 and HB24-1300. These bills have not been voted on but are both under consideration by state legislature.

Administration ESO implementation has moved forward into the education phase. However, progress was slowed last month due to extended staff illnesses on the implementation team. The District is continuing to move forward with this transition, ensuring that all current data is represented in the new system.

The gym and prop projects at station 82 are continuing to move along well. The gym is on track to be completed in May.

One of the training projects at station 82 is fully complete and another is under construction. GGFPD participated in two wildland fire mitigation educational events at the Grange over the past month.

The District continues with the expected seasonal lull, with 21 calls to date as of the submission of the report. The District’s resources and personnel are being prepared for call volumes to increase in May, as the seasonal uptick in calls is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

Earlier this month, GGFPD firefighters and Stadium medical responded to a citizen in a very rare, and most often fatal, cardiac event. “I am without doubt that the swift actions of all responders from GGFPD and Stadium medical are the direct reason that this citizen is still alive today,” the Chief reported.

Currently, there are 23 operational members and 4 support services members on the roster. All GGFPD firefighters and recruits are now fully qualified wildland firefighters.

Station 81 continues to progress very well, Benson continued. The bathroom remodel is now complete, as well as the re-texturing and repainting of the entire interior.

The flooring for the station has taken longer to arrive than anticipated but it is now at the warehouse in Denver. As soon as it arrives at the station, the crew will begin the flooring installation, as well as ordering the kitchen cabinets and furniture.

The next regular Board Meeting will be on May 23, 7 p.m., at the Grange, 25231 Golden Gate Canyon Road, Golden. For more information go to https//Golden Gate Fire Protection District.