The Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) in Gilpin and Boulder Counties rely upon those individuals who have a calling to serve our community in times of need.

“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

On September 18, 2021, from 12 to 4 p.m. we invite you to attend an open house to say thank you and good bye to Galen Koepke and John Carder who have announced their retirements. These volunteers have a combined service record of 51 years.

The open house will take place at TFPD Station 1 located at 6927 Magnolia Road.

Assistant Chief Galen Koepke is a calm and kind man. He always had a calm voice on scene. His skills as a firefighter are exceptional. For much of his tenure, Galen has taught hundreds of department members map reading, communications, and has given thousands of hours to the department with programming radios.

Galen could pretty much show up all of the younger members in the annual department pack test. The pack test consists of hiking three miles with a 45 pound pack in 45 minutes. Many have tried to keep up but very few accomplished the feat.

Galen joined High Country Fire in the summer of 1989. High Country merged with Colorado Sierra to become Timberline Fire Protection District.

Lieutenant John Carder joined High Country Fire in 2002. John’s many abilities include a mechanical background and he served the department with those skills.

John also will go down in TFPD lore by the making of his delicious banana nut bread. John also was one of the firefighters who always made time to talk and listen to those friends in need as well as taking extra measures to help those in his neighborhood.

In terms of John’s pack test abilities. You could hear him coming, thump thump thump. He was not the fastest but John could carry another firefighter when doing his test. He is as strong as a moose.

The number of hours these two men have contributed to our community simply can not be added up. The training, the time on scene, the countless number of calls each have accomplished, have given them invaluable experience over the years.

This experience is something that can not be easily replaced. They have both been superb role models for younger firefighters.

Not all heroes wear capes.

To find out more about volunteering for the safety and protection of your community, check out https:// timberlinefpd.colorado.gov/volunteer/become-a-volunteer-firefighter.