The Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors met on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7 p.m. to hear an update on grant funding for a new ambulance and to swear in Charlie Schmidtmann to the position of Nederland Fire Chief.

The NFPD reviewed the Chief’s Report, authored by Schmidtmann, which detailed the calls of significance and updates on operations for late August into early September.

The report began with a follow-up concerning the used SCBA compressor that the district purchased from Castle Rock for $7,000. A site visit by an electrician determined certain unexpected costs were required to update the fire department’s electric panel. Thanks were given to Ryan Keeler for providing materials needed for the electrical work.

A three-phase power converter is also required for the installation of the compressor, previously listed to cost $2,500. The department continues to search for the needed equipment as it had hoped to acquire a power converter from Rollinsville which was ultimately determined to be too expensive.

According to the Chief’s Report, Nederland firefighters and EMS responded to several calls of significance, including mitigating traffic and assisting those impacted by an overheated vehicle in the canyon, the emergency transport of a child with epilepsy, and the emergency transport to the hospital from one of the area’s camping sites of a patient suffering a stroke.

Schmidtmann’s report also included a breakdown of vehicle and equipment issues being worked on. These included all of the department’s radios being updated, the flatbed truck having suffered a broken transmission cooler, the rescue truck having a new on-board charger installed, the main water tender having its exhaust repaired, and the plow truck having both an axle leak and a transfer case leak repaired.

The report also noted that firefighters Rick Henrickson and Eric Abramson have been deployed to the SRF Complex fire in Northern California, with their deployment having been extended for 21 days.

The department listed their upcoming activities and events, including preparing for Fire Prevention Week on October 8 through 14, as well as a visit to the fire station from New Explorers kids, community outreach concerning the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, participating in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, September 30, and also attending the town’s Trunk-or-Treat event on October 27.

The NFPD discussed using the $108,837.15 Emergency Medical and Trauma Services grant awarded to the district for the purchase of a new ambulance. The board previously discussed the prospect during their meeting on July 19; at that time the district was awaiting final quotes from equipment companies for a Braun Ambulance.

The conditions of the grant specify that the NFPD purchase one Type I 4x4 ambulance. The specifications include that it must be a 4-wheel drive truck chassis with ambulance box; that it include one vehicle data recorder (including the cost of installation), and that the vehicle have a built-in SAE J3027-compliant-cot retention system and a stair chair.

The Board must verify that the equipment is operational, must complete three quarterly grant progress reports and one final report, and must verify that the manufacturer of the ambulance is registered on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s manufacturer’s information database as a “final stage manufacturer,” meaning they perform operations to make an incomplete vehicle complete.

A quote was received from Danko Emergency Equipment Company for one Braun Liberty Type I Ambulance for $333,943, with delivery of the ambulance expected within 730 days. Because of unexpected fluctuations in the market and cost of raw materials, the price of the ambulance and expected time for delivery are subject to change.

The board voted to approve using the EMTS grant to partially pay for the cost of the ambulance from Danko.

With a room full of friends, family, firefighters, and community members, Schmidtmann was officially sworn in as Chief of the Nederland Fire Department.

Those in attendance shared powerful words about their admiration for Schmidtmann and the trust in him gained from his years of service and sacrifice to the department.

“The Chief shows their strength by inspiring, supporting, teaching their team every day and tonight we are fortunate, proud, and very honored to be swearing in an individual that has already inspired our confidence: current Captain, paramedic, and interim Chief Charlie Scmidtmann,” one colleague said.

The Nederland Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings can be attended online on Microsoft Teams. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 7 p.m.

For more information go to: https:// www.nfpd.org.