Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. The September 19, 2019, Timberline Fire Protection District regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., at 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk, after members of the board and Chief Odnr had completed an unofficial once over of the newly acquired fire truck outside the bay. The Chief received a green light to enter a sealed bid of $90,000 for the truck, formerly the property of West Metro Fire, at the board meeting the previous month on August 20. The truck will be used by fire station #10.

In other business covered at the August TFPD board meeting, a motion passed unanimously to re-open the ColoTrust account, and a motion adopting a resolution to authorizing online notice of public meetings passed unanimously as well. 

Board of Directors VP, Carol Tucker, reviewed the completed chief’s evaluation. Tucker also proposed quarterly executive session meetings, covering one to two topics. An executive session was called at the meeting in August, discussing the potential purchase of the fire truck, and in September, to conduct Chief Odnr’s quarterly review.

Chief Odnr reported, TFPD responded to 61 calls in July and 60 calls in August. A wildland fire was reported through 911 on Labor Day, at about 1:00 p.m. They were able to respond in just over three minutes to the call, and the fire was officially contained by 4:45 p.m. The Chief reported great collaboration with response partners including; DFPC, Nederland, Coal Creek, Golden Gate, and Central City fire departments, as well as the High Country Auxiliary, and Gilpin County Sheriffs. 

DFPC, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and control, is looking to expand their program in Gilpin County, and the Chief has met with DFPC to identify an appropriate space ad to ensure resources stay in Gilpin County. 

  Training so far this year totals over 4605 hours or 65 hours per member, which is reportedly excellent compliance. Three firefighters should be receiving Fire Instructor 1 certifications by the end of September, two members attended Fire Investigator School and six members will attend MHFC, which Chief Odnr reports is one of the best conferences nationwide. Because the conference is held in Colorado, it is more cost effective for TFPD to attend. 

Captain Williams taught on behalf of TFPD, as one of the lead instructors for officer development and fire attack, at Fire on the Plains, a statewide training seminar. Williams has been selected to present on mental resilience and mindset in the fire service, with a mental health expert, at the 2019 Colorado Fire Academy in October, as well. Captain Williams has taken a full-time position with Windsor Fire Department and is working part-time now for TFPD. 

A full-time training position was posted September 19, 2019, with an application deadline of October 14, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews for volunteers will be conducted on November 24, 2019. 

Fire restrictions for Boulder and Gilpin counties were lifted on September 12, 2019, due to increased moisture and the expectation of more rain. 

The next meeting of the TFPD board is scheduled at 7:00 p.m., October 15, 2019 at Station #7, 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk. 

(Originally published in the September 26, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)