Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. Timberline Fire Department held a graduation ceremony at 5:30pm on June 16, 2019 at Station #7 on Highway 46. A total of ten graduates, seven from TFPD and three from Central City Fire Department, completed the academy with a combined class average of 96%. 

According to Mark Williams, training officer for TFPD, the students persevered through rigorous training including; live fire training at the Boulder Regional Training Facility in Boulder, Hazmat Operations, Firefighter 1, and Health and Wellness. A specific training for rural mountain community service is part of the TFPD academy training as well. 

Central City Firefighter Shelby Allen was awarded valedictorian, highest GPA, of the class and Top Axe. Training Officer Williams explained the Top Axe, chosen based on student and instructor votes, acknowledges the individual who has earned the most respect through the three and a half months in academy. 

Firefighter Rob Savoye shared when he went through firefighter training, most recruits completed the 200-300 hours over the course of about two years. “I did,” he said. He went on to report these trainees completed an intensive approach with the same hours over a much shorter period of time. 

Savoye also stated that upon completion of the required hours these trainees went on to take the state EMT, Hazmat and firefighter tests. The June 16 graduating class, having passed the state exams, are fully qualified firefighters, not firefighter trainees.  

Board President Charles Smith administered the Oath of Office to the newly certified firefighters from TFPD and CCFD in front of an audience of about seventy five people, including Sheriff Armstrong. The oath was followed by speeches welcoming the graduates from Chief Paul Ondr from Timberline and Lt. Cody Allen, standing in for Chief Gary Allen, from Central City.

Following graduation Mark Williams reported the June 2019 class will be integrated into the response force. He said, “The class consists of out-of-district shifters, who shift at the station, and several in-district firefighters who will respond from home.” He also stated TFPD has not changed its recruitment efforts, and continues to accept new members throughout the year.

When asked what the work of a local firefighter entails, Firefighter Rob Savoye said they seem to primarily respond to assist Gilpin EMS with medical calls and accidents. Additionally, they answer many calls to track down smoke sightings, put out unattended campfires, and occasional structure and backcountry rescues. He added smiling, “It’s not always exciting, but it’s true community service, which is our purpose.”

Asked what he thought motivated new recruits Savoye shared, “ I think the main thing is helping people. The skills we learn through the fire service help us do better at that.” 

To learn more about Timberline or Central City Fire Departments, visit their websites at www.timberlinefire.com or www.centralcityfire.com.  

Originally published in the July 11, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear. You can buy a low resolution, downloadable pdf of this paper at https://themtnear.com/product/2019-07-11/