Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. The regular meeting of the Timberline Fire Protection District was called to order by President Smith at 7 p.m. regular monthly meeting at a new location, Station #5, on January 14, 2020. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Smith asked for a moment of silence for fallen emergency responders. Carol Tucker, Vice President, added a request that we all keep our country in our prayers, as we navigate difficult times. The moments of silence were followed by roll call, all board members and Chief Odnr were in attendance. Chief Odnr requested a discussion regarding the radios be added to old business. 

President Smith moved to approve the meeting minutes from the regular meeting on December 12, 2019. The motion was approved unanimously without public comment. 

The treasurer’s report for January through December 2019 was submitted revealing TFPD completed the year over $126,000.00 under budget. The board appeared to attribute this to Chief Odnr’s diligence protecting the department from overspending. Jennifer Hinderman, secretary to the board, reported the budget would be audited again in May to ensure accuracy, by an entity outside the department.

There was no new business on the agenda for the January 14, 2020, regular meeting, and no new business was added by the board members or the chief. 

In old business, the chief’s completed contract for 2020 was submitted to the board for approval. Among the items changed from 2019, according to the chief, were; compensation and benefits, and clarification regarding the return of the vehicle Chief Odnr is provided while employed with TFPD. The vehicle is to be returned “on or before termination of employment”. The employment contract was approved by the board unanimously and signed by President Smith at the meeting. 

As reported previously, transitioning the current radio system used by TFPD is not optional. TFPD must transition with the rest of the state. According to the discussion in this meeting, it is clear the questions of when and how remain undecided. The chief and the board continue to look at different options but have not come to a firm decision. If need be, emergency reserves could be used for the transition to 800 radios, but this would significantly drain TFPD reserve funds. For now, the chief continues to research grant options, and mobile and stationary radio combinations to use TFPD funds appropriately for the project. The chief will continue to report his findings to the board. 

The chief’s report for the month of December revealed TFPD responded to 39 calls in December, including a structure fire on South Beaver Rd., that was contained with minimal damage or property loss. Three lieutenants, Jones, Delamarian and Femmer, started with TFPD on Monday, January 6, 2020. Shift lieutenants will start regular shifts on January 21, 2020, and Chief Schimanskey, Operations Chief, will supervise the new lieutenants and the Duty Officer Program.

In administration the chief reported the new insurance service office, ISO, rating was approved and will take effect on April 1, 2020. The ISO includes a mapping change and decreases the ISO from 10 to 5 properties within 5 miles of station 10. 

The 2019 fire code has been purchased and will be submitted to the board at next month’s regular meeting, pending amendment additions. The fee study will be complete and submitted next month as well. 

Chief Odnr reported receiving 53 volunteer applications. Of these applicants between 10 and 12 will be interviewed, and six to seven volunteer firefighters will be brought on board in February 2020. 

According to the submitted training report, an Ice Rescue Trainor, Johnny May, has completed training successfully. TFPD continues to work on various trainings with neighboring districts, including a joint training with Clear Creek on a structure burn scheduled for January 18, 2020. 

Plans are currently in the works for a CPR certification booth at the Gilpin County Fair in July. Exact plans regarding how and where the CPR training will be conducted are still being decided. 

The next regular meeting of the TFPD Board of Directors is scheduled for 7 p.m., February 12, 2020, at Station #5, 14908 Highway 119, in Black Hawk. 

(Originally published in the January 23, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)