Chief Paul Ondr, Timberline Fire. With our lack of public events this summer, I felt compelled to reach out to the community with an update on YOUR fire department. 

It is not a surprise that we have been faced with some unique challenges this year including COVID-19, interesting financial challenges, very dry conditions, increased visitors, as well as monitoring the wellbeing of our employees and volunteers during these challenging times.  

At the beginning of the year, Timberline hired its first paid shift personnel. These three individuals work 48 hours on-shift and 96 hours off-duty, which is common in the fire service.    This schedule provides 24-hour a day coverage, seven days a week. These individuals have a huge list of responsibilities and job duties but first and foremost, as with all of our employees, our primary responsibility is to assist your volunteers. Without your volunteers we would not be able to provide the services the community needs.

Between our paid staff, resident firefighters, shift firefighters and in-district responders, we are able to respond quickly to your needs with sufficient personnel to handle most emergencies safely and efficiently.

COVID-19 has created interesting challenges, and like everyone we have had to adapt to new mandates and social changes almost daily. As you can imagine in this line of work, social distancing is not realistic (that would be like asking you to socially distance from your family).  What we have been able to do is decrease the number of our personnel in contact with sick patients, provide additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our responder (masks, gowns, goggles, and hand sanitizer). We have also implemented COVID screening procedures when people enter our buildings for shifts and calls. We have temporarily asked the public not to enter our building, but feel free to stop by and we will address your concerns by stepping outside.

I am often asked if we have enough PPE. Thankfully, the answer today is yes. Through our relationship with Gilpin County Office of Emergency Management, the Mountain Mask Project and our vendors we have plenty at the moment. Through Gilpin OEM, we were also able to offer antibody testing to our responders about a month ago.

As most of you are aware, the county is going through some financial struggles.  As of today, we are happy to state that Timberline is financially sound. While we did see a small decrease in our revenues, this was primarily due to inability for people to renew their license plates but for now this has leveled off. Timberline revenues are completely separate from both Gilpin and Boulder County, and almost entirely generated from property taxes. We receive no revenues from sales tax or gaming. The Board of Directors and I feel comfortable that the measures we have taken to stabilize our revenues, as well as wise spending practices and building of reserves, we are in the best position possible to weather this storm.

Wildland fire season is in full swing and it is very dry. We are currently under a Stage 2 fire BAN issued by the Sheriff, and also the statewide fire ban mandate issued by the Governor. This means no burning of wood, outdoor welding, tiki torches, or charcoal use. Propane/Natural gas barbeques or fire pit as long as they are surrounded by three feet of non-combustible material are acceptable. It has been incredibly smoky due to the fires to our west, but if you see fire, or see people doing things they should not be, or have any other reason for concern please do not delay and call 911 immediately. When things are as dry as they are today time is of the essence.   

If you have ever considered volunteering, now is a great time.  No experience is necessary, and it is a great way to challenge yourself, meet new people, and help protect your community. If you’re interested, just visit www.timberlinefire.com and click on “volunteer today’ for more information.

Thank you, and stay safe!