Posted on: November 18th, 2014

Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board Meeting, October 15, 2014 – Minutes by Gretchen Diefenderfer in Dave Sturtz’s absence.

Next meeting will be Thursday, November 20, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

Meeting was called to order by Rick Geesaman.  Present were Rick, Paul Garabedian, Bobby Vrba, Chief Chris Finn and community member Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Chair Rich Lopez and Secretary Dave Sturtz had approved absences.

Minutes were approved as read.

Chief’s Report – Chris reported that there was a call yesterday, but it was just that the fire alarm got pulled at the school by the Fourmile crew who were making a presentation for Fire Prevention Month.

On the 6^th, there was a brush fire just up from the bottom of Lickskillet, which, thankfully, a bystander stopped and stomped it out while his girlfriend came up to Gold Hill and called it in.  Chris went down in the brush truck to find it under control.  It looked like it could have been started by a cigarette thrown out a window.  Lefthand and Fourmile showed up, too.  A fire down there has serious potential to get really bad.  Chris is trying to find the name of the bystander to thank him from all of us.

Wildland training is coming up.  We have great trainers in Boulder County and Chris encouraged anyone interested to contact him for information.

Fourmile is building a new station and losing two: the Quonset hut and Bret Gibson is selling the Lodge.  They are reorganizing and possibly will locate a truck up here.

They will be draining the brush truck for winter.  Chris is watching the forecast for when we’ll have a hard freeze.  Medical equipment and chains have been ordered for it – also 10 or 12 voice pagers are on backorder along with programming software for them so that Chris can program them himself.

Budget – The 2015 budget was the main order of business.  The Board has reviewed the proposed budget since the last meeting and Bobby moved that we approve.  Paul seconded and it passed unanimously.  The proposed budget was available to review at the Gold Hill Store and is still available by request.

IMA Meeting – Gretchen reported that Jay Stalnaker, Fire Management Officer for the Boulder County Sheriff;s Dept. will be making a presentation with maps explaining the possible locations of our next big fires at the next IMA Meeting on Oct. 23.   Several board members indicated interest and Gretchen will email them the information.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, acting secretary.