John Scarffe, Nederland. The Nederland Fire Protection District Board of Directors approved purchasing a tablet and software for fire inspections during a regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The Board also discussed policies for wildland deployment and concealed weapons and the 2021 budget.

The Fire Marshal requested the purchase of a tablet and software for fire inspections at a cost of $448 for the first year, and $99 second and subsequent years. Board Chair Iain Irwin-Powell said it is the most common software for fire inspection. 

The software and tablet replace another package that costs $1,000 per year. It’s basically a drawing package, and you can put a plan on the tablet and take it to the site. You can go into the field and see the plan. The plan and site review process is a revenue stream.

Board Member Henry Zurbrugg said that by the time a project is over, so many changes have been made to plans, if it isn’t downloaded to the tablet, it won’t match. “If this is going to make him more effective and will get some money back, I have no problem with this expenditure. It does generate some revenue and will pay for itself.” 

The Board approved the purchase. 

Irwin-Powell introduced the need for a wildland deployments CCW Policy for staff. If someone wanted to go on a wildland deployment and wanted to go right then, they have to have details more than 45 minutes before deployment.

During the operational report, the Board heard that the department has three firefighters out on deployment in California and Oregon, and getting a lot of good experience.

Irwin-Powell said the Board has to discuss making sure they have the backfill. “We don’t have a current backfill arrangement to replace staff on deployment” he said. 

Board members said they ideally don’t believe in sending more than two volunteers to a working fire. Something should be pulled together. It’s great training, but we need to be sure we have enough people here. Irwin-Powell said the policy should come from the Board and then discuss it with the officers.

Irwin-Powell suggested the Board consider a concealed weapons policy. According to the Colorado Statute, you can impose restrictions on concealed weapons in a private building, which in the fire department is everything from the atrium in. 

Board members said it doesn’t make sense to carry on a call. As soon as you have a fire and put on bunker gear, you are going to lose your weapon. During a wildfire or running on a medical call, you shouldn’t have that with you. 

No volunteers should bring a firearm. Irwin-Powell said he will work with an attorney on this. 

During the operational report, the Board learned a $6,000 grant was approved for structure fire hoods and they are reapplying for two COVID relief grants. Fire Department members assisted with a hiker in trouble at Bob and Betty Lakes and an injured skier at Skyscraper reservoir. New recruits are starting to attend trainings. 

Irwin-Powell asked about the awards dinner this year with COVID concerns. Board members agreed they can’t pull that off and suggested a virtual awards ceremony. 

Irwin-Powell said interviews about the Alpine Drive complaint regarding Chief Rick Dirr were complete, transcribed and sent to the other Board members. The Board will conduct a public meeting at 7 p.m., October 8, 2020, to come to a conclusion with Chief Dirr. 

During discussion of the 2021 lights on budget, the Board agreed the district should have a proper shirt. The District still has $12,000 in incentives in this year’s budget that could be used for uniforms or towards awards dinner. 

The Treasurer will flesh out the line items in the next month with the tanker at the top of line for maintenance and budgeting five members going to the fire academy.

The Board conducted a special meeting on October 8, 2020, at which they terminated Chief Dirr’s contract but agreed to work with him on a plan to continue with the district as an at-will employee. The Board scheduled an operational meeting for October 14, 2020, but it was canceled due to the lack of a quorum, and conducted an operational meeting on October 21, 2020. The next operational meeting will be on October 28, 2020.

The next regular meeting of the Fire District Board will be on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 7 p.m.