Serving community - Kristin Turner recited the official Oath of Office and was sworn in as the newest director on the Timberline Fire Protection District Board at the board’s monthly meeting on August 23, 2023. PHOTO BY MINDY LEARY[/caption]

At approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) hosted an open house and held their monthly board meeting at Station 8, located at 4611 Smith Hill Road, Black Hawk.

TFPD routinely hosts open houses at their various stations so as to meet and greet the neighbors, the residents they protect. In October, there will be an open house at Station 9, in Virginia Canyon, located at 7561 Virginia Canyon Road in Central City.

President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, and Member at Large John Carder, attended the meeting, as well as Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Member at Large Mary Kate McKenna attended via phone. Highlights of the meeting included filling the board vacancy, a no-cost internet lease, and the Chief’s Report.

Ondr introduced the new Mitigation Coordinator, Andrew Steffe. Steffe has lived in the Coal Creek area for about 24 years and has volunteered at Coal Creek Fire for 13 years. He has a background in arborist work and said he is excited to begin as the new coordinator.

The Treasurer’s Report of Unaudited Financials was presented for July 2023. The board had no questions. Bushey said, “Everything looks normal.”

There were three candidates interested in filling the board vacancy for Member at Large. McKenna conducted interviews. The board asked for nominations and McKenna nominated Kristin Turner. Carder seconded and all were in favor.

Turner took the oath of office as a Director of TFPD, followed by applause. She will be able to vote on matters at the next meeting.

New business also included a review of a no-cost lease between Backcountry Broadband and TFPD Station 8. Ondr began a conversation with the growing internet service provider about a trade of services for a small rental space on the wall and the use of a fiber optic cable running to a nearby utility pole at Station 8.

The hub will act as a booster for wireless in the area in exchange for providing free internet to the Station at a value of $214/ month. The two-year lease was presented and the board decided to add language on enclosing the hub for safety, a rule not to exceed electrical consumption, disposal of equipment if abandoned, and a 30-day option to end the lease if expectations are not met.

Station 9 in Virginia Canyon has had an issue with the concrete slab that was poured recently and will need to have it redone. The expense is already budgeted but TFPD has to pay for some work associated with a change in site conditions in the amount of $7,500.

Carder moved to authorize Ondr and Wenzel to negotiate the repair of the concrete slab for up to $7,500. McKenna seconded and all were in favor.

Station 3, Observatory, needs a new roof and Ondr said he is in the process of re-applying for a grant that was previously denied. The grant committee asked for more plans and actual bids.

Bushey moved to authorize Ondr to engage with Interstate and negotiate a roof design not to exceed $6,500. Carder seconded and with no further discussion, all were in favor.

The Chief’s Report is as follows:

Operations:

• We responded to 67 calls in July. Average response times district-wide was 11 minutes 40 seconds.

• New brush trucks are in service and have been used on several calls. They are serving the district well.

• We have a resident in the cottage who will be providing 48 hours service per week at station 5 and doing mitigation work on other days.

• Station 9 will have a brush truck in the next few days. It is currently in the shop.

Wildland/Mitigation:

• Andrew Steffe started on August 14 as our new Mitigation Coordinator.

• Timberline will be providing roadside chipping in Golden Gate Park Estates beginning September 5, and in Corona Heights beginning October 2.

• Boulder CWPP is in progress.

• Final selection for the contractor to facilitate the Gilpin CWPP is almost complete.

Administration:

• Applied for a direct distribution grant through DFPC for some miscellaneous equipment. No match required.

• Met with History Colorado this morning about the roof grant and we will be re-submitting at the end of September.

• Fire alarm at Station 7 is being installed.

• We have a Certificate of Occupancy for Station 9. Still working through the concrete issue.

• Six new recruits were brought on in August. Orientation is complete, and revised onboarding academy dates are in the works.

• Recruitment ad placed in Mountain-Ear newspaper. Register Call ad to be placed in coming weeks.

Training:

• Two water supply trainings completed this month with Station 5 staff, worked on drafting and pumping with new T6 engines

• Eight members through AHJ DO Pumper cone course; another cone course session scheduled for early September.

• HazMat class begins at the end of September; seven members will be going through the course.

• Joint FF2 class with Golden FD and GGFPD planned for November. Working out details currently.

• Lts Femmer and Smith both passed the DFPC DO Pumper written exam.

The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

The next regular Board Meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Station 3, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.