The Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors met on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 7 p.m. to select a finalist from the pool of candidates interviewed for the open position of Nederland Fire Chief.

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

The district has purchased and received a $7,000 used SCBA compressor from Castle Rock. The compressor has been delivered, though a site visit by an electrician has uncovered unexpected costs, including a new $2,000 breaker required for the electric panel at the Fire Department.

A $2,500 three-phase power converter is also required for the installation of the compressor. However, the department hopes to acquire one that has been found in Rollinsville.

Nederland firefighters and EMS responded to several calls in late July and early August, including assisting an older adult with Alzheimer’s who was found lying in the middle of the road. Thanks to the efforts of Nick Faes, Mandi Papich, Scott Papich, and Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin, the man was brought home safely.

A patient suffering injuries from a motorcycle crash on Boulder Canyon Drive was stabilized at the scene and transferred to American Medical Response of Boulder. A paramedic crew also responded to a stabbing near Old Town and remained safe while awaiting law enforcement to arrive.

With assistance from multiple agencies, Nederland firefighters were able to locate and extinguish a house fire at 19 West 1st Street at 2 a.m. on August 8. No other neighboring structures were threatened by the fire, though the two-story cabin was destroyed and the body of a dog was later found in the wreckage.

The Chief’s Report indicated that several properties were found to be listed as being in Sugarloaf’s district when they should be a part of the NFPD. These properties currently do not pay into the NFPD, and the process for adding properties into the district, or transferring properties from one district to another, is currently being researched.

Nederland EMS will be distributing Narcan, an emergency narcotic antidote used to combat opioid overdose symptoms, as well as education on how to properly handle the drug. EMS is also in the process of creating effective response measures alongside mental health and substance abuse crisis providers, in order to best serve those experiencing such crises.

Fire Marshal Joslin reported that he has been assisting the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Multi-Agency Fire Investigation Team (MAFIT) in investigating the structure fire that occurred on August 8.

Joslin’s report indicated that modifications to the standard operating procedures for fire investigations are being made in order to ensure efficient and effective management. Joslin also received an invitation to apply for MAFIT, which will bolster his experience in conducting fire investigations.

After a four-month search for a new Fire Chief, the NFPD interviewed three candidates for the position on August 11. On August 16 the board determined Charlie Schmidtmann, who has been acting as interim Fire Chief since March, to be the finalist for the position.

A public Meet & Greet with Schmidtmann has been scheduled for Friday, August 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nederland Fire Department, 650 West 4th Street.

The Nederland Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of every month and can be attended online on Microsoft Teams. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7 p.m.

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