Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. The Timberline Fire Protection District, TFPD, regular board meeting was called to order at 7 p.m., on October 15, 2019. The board met at Station #7, located at 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk, and all board members were in attendance.

President Smith led the meeting with the pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence in support of all emergency workers, including a special moment for men and women in harm’s way in Syria.    

President Smith announced that the 911 Authority Board is looking for a coordinator, as the current coordinator is no longer available to fill this role. The position requires a 20-hour time commitment per quarter, or every four months. The Black Helmet presentation scheduled for the evening was canceled and the minutes from the TFPD meeting held September 16, 2019, were approved unanimously, with one abstention, due to absence.  

The treasurer’s report draft financials for September were submitted and reviewed, followed by the review and approval of the 2020 draft budget, in new business. 

A resolution was approved unanimously to change the name of the TFPD station #8 at 4611 Smith Hill Road Station. The station will now be known as Tony Stone Fire Department, in respect and appreciation on behalf of the members of the department for Tony Stone’s years of service. A dedication ceremony at the fire station was scheduled for October 20, 2019. 

Chief Odnr presented a bid to update security for the district by way of new doors, locks and cameras, totaling $23,370 for a lock system and $9000 for cameras. The system would allow all volunteers and employees to enter different locations with a key card, code or with their ID.

Conversely, upon dismissal from the department, codes can be discontinued immediately through office computers. In the event there is a long-term power outage, a back-up system will be in place including hard keys. 

The board discussed the lock system codes and cameras separately, looking at the specific needs of each station, whether cameras were a necessity at all stations, where cameras would be placed, and how useful they may or may not be as a deterrent for theft and ensuring safety for personnel. Initially, it was decided to table the discussion until next month’s meeting, pending additional information. The board came back to the conversation at the end of the meeting at President Smith’s request, and approved a motion for $32,400 to cover doors, locks and cameras, with a vote of 4-1. Treasurer Michael Tucker voted against the motion. 

In old business, Chief Odnr reported the impact study for the district is in the preliminary planning stages, as they decide what method to use to complete the study most effectively. Communication with Roosevelt Ridge regarding cistern requirements is ongoing, but not yet resolved.  

The department responded to 57 calls in September, according to fire Chief Odnr ‘s monthly report of operations. Additionally, the chief stated DFPC is officially moving to the sheriff’s annex.

The chief has met with a third-party radio consultant twice and a third meeting with Gilpin County Commissioners is scheduled for November 19, 2019. Slated for discussion is cost and needs for radios in 2020, whether grants will be sought to cover expenses, what expenses will be and when the money to cover radios will be budgeted. 

Regarding training this month, all instructors who attended the Mile-High Fire Conference successfully completed their modules and each instructor received 24 hours of lessons and training in Denver. TFPD now has five certified fire instructors, including the fire chief, following Lt. Arendt Firefighter Veseley’s certification last month. TFPD members have been working on HAZMAT and VEIS training through this month and will attend a facility training in Boulder County on October 27, 2019. On November 2 and 3, 2019, several members will complete an officer development course to position themselves for the Duty Officer Program. In the third quarter of 2019 a total of 5180 training hours were completed, averaging 126 hours per member, up from 106 hours in 2018’s third quarter. 

On September 20, 2019 TFPD responded to assist with the Bald Mountain Fire in Clear Creek. They were requested the following day but could not attend without an engine boss. 

Regarding equipment and facilities, ladder testing was completed and the firetruck acquired last month is currently getting lettered and outfitted with a radio. These changes will be completed by December this year. Concrete work was completed this month at station #1. 

The maintenance technician and training coordinator application periods have closed and interviews were conducted the week of October 21, 2019. A job posting was announced for three shift lieutenants on October 16, 2019 and will remain open until November 4, 2019. 

The next meeting of the TFPB Board of Directors is scheduled for November 12, 2019, at Station 7, 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk at 7 p.m. 

(Originally published in the October 24, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)