Nederland’s new fire chief Chief Michael Scott settles into his new role as the head of Nederland’s Fire Protection District. PHOTO BY ERIC ABRAMSON[/caption]

New Nederland Fire Chief Michael Scott has been on the job for more than a week, starting on Monday, January 3, 2022. He said has been enjoying the experience so far, and the community has been very welcoming.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Scott said his uncle was a firefighter, so that’s what he always wanted to do. At 14 years old, Scott participated as a junior firefighter in the Explorer Program. Then he worked on an ambulance crew when he was 17 years old, and the next year qualified as an Emergency Medical Technician.

He moved to Colorado in 2000 and earned an associate’s degree in video production from the Art Institute of Colorado. He was also involved with the American Medical Response program.

Scott earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Purdue University in fire science and emergency management. He was division chief of EMS, firefighter and training coordinator for the Crested Butte Fire Protection District from 2012 to 2017.

Scott was division chief for the Colorado River Fire Rescue from April 2017 to 2020. Most recently, he was professional qualification and training section chief for the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control from March 2020,

In the national search by the Nederland Fire Department, 27 applications were received which were pre-screened to 14 possible candidates. The quality of applications was incredibly high.

In a special executive session on November 17, 2021, the search board, consisting of the Nederland Fire Protection District Board, Nederland town administrator Miranda Fisher, Acting Chief Charlie Schmidtmann and two volunteer representatives, Lieutenant Andrew Joslin and firefighter Alex Olivas, selected six candidates to move forward to an oral interview stage.

Two candidates withdrew prior to the oral interviews. Oral interviews and candidate considerations were conducted in two special executive sessions and a single finalist was selected from the process.

Chief Scott said he applied for the job because he has always wanted to be a chief. He can utilize his background and goals.

He said it is a passion of his, which led him into the mountain community. After five years with Crested Butte, he has the experience to work in the community.

After a week on the job, Chief Scott said it has been wonderful so far. The people and the community have been very welcoming, and he is learning a lot.

Stepping into the job with a Stage 1 Fire Ban in Boulder County, Scott said the Sheriff’s Department oversees the fire ban, but it helps the Fire District to prepare for what could happen, especially with the recent Marshall Fire in Boulder County. The Fire Department is gearing up for the next fire season.

Scott has a home in Littleton with a wife, three children and an Australian Shepherd. He also has a duplex in Central City where he is staying during the week.

Scott said he is looking forward to being a part of the community and to provide the best possible service for the community.

For the full resume and job application, go to https://www.nfpd.org/2021-12-07- board-selects-chief-finalist.