Posted on: August 17th, 2025

GHFPD Board Meeting, Monday, July 21, 2025

         Minutes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Meeting – Monday, August 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at the Firebarn and by Zoom

MEETING BUSINESS –

The meeting was called to order at 7:13 by President Kent Coghill.  Present were board members: Kent, Boyd Brown, Max Yeager, Jessica Brookhart, and community member Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Attending by Zoom were Chief Rich Caudill, Marcus Moench, Nicky Andrews, and Leslie Finn.

Minutes of the last meeting were accepted after 2 corrections – the company being considered for transporting our new truck for us is Acertus, and our truck 5439 (not 3902) was the one used in the dump and fill test).

FIRECHIEF’S MINUTES – Rich introduced Nicky Andrews, who has volunteered to help with communications and outreach.  She reports that she has set up an Instagram account, plans to expand Nextdoor and Twitter, to connect with other local agencies.  She took pictures on the 4^th and plans to take more.  She’s working on a press release for the new truck and will send that out.  Will also communicate with the locals and put up flyers.  Would like to make our website more accessible and promote SEO.  Feel free to reach out to her by email or text (nicolajaneandrews10@nullgmail.com  +1 (734) 730-4088.

         Rich added that we’re honored that she volunteered to work with us.  And, she’s excited to be aboard.

Operational Needs – Radio supplier reports they should be here in a couple of weeks.  Scott Whitehead will program them and ship to truck manufacturer.

         Rich has obtained 21 smoke detectors donated from Lowes, Home Depot, and Costco.  Not much interest at the 4^th of July – will do more outreach in the fall.

Will put out a feeler – any seniors without one?  Would like to get 30.

Training – Going pretty well.  Had a multi jurisdiction training on Thursday – pumping and drafting demonstrated increased skills.

Maintenance – Max reports that he has the permits from Boulder County. The gas line trench should be done by end of the week and ready for inspection.

         Garage doors – had permit meeting for the drawings, which Brandon Jeffrey sent to Yates.  Also has back up engineer – Paul Gallagher. Brandon Jeffrey has an invoice for $1400 – holding until know drawing is accepted.

         Electrical – will call Bishop again.

         Has an invoice for 4 pea gravel – needs two 55g drums to store for icy conditions.

         Jesse Farmer has all the pieces/parts for the hydrant (has been delayed because truck broke down)

Max reports still waiting on engineer drawings for garage doors – has spoken with D.H. Pace and Mark Montgomery.  Probably go with 12’, 10’6” height-wise.  Rich has also spoken with D.H. Pace about fabrication times for the doors once we have the engineer drawings and have feedback from Boulder County on the drawings.  Max will keep it all moving as well as can.

Equipment Needs – Zoom on our TV?  It doesn’t have a camera?  We can connect wirelessly or HDMI cable and plug into a computer and the mic and camera remain with the computer.  Also have new computer bought last year that could be set up.  Motion to purchase camera and mic – spend up to $300 – to get Zoom set up.  Passed.  Rich will shop.  Board and Chief should definitely know how to use.

Infrastructure – Invoice for electrical – $4800 – expensive, but more than reasonable. Now everything GFI’d.  Probably additional invoice – had to make several trips.

OPERATIONAL READINESS

Strategic Planning – Boyd reports there are still evacuation details to put into the plan.

Capital Replacement Plan – no report

Budget – no report – hasn’t put in deposit for 4^th of July

Vehicles – Some water leaking from 5439 and 5402.  They used the booster line at training and new valve on passenger side – Kent will check.  Max checked 02 on Saturday and water had stopped – will keep an eye on it.

         Rich reports that Dave Sturtz has put out check lists for post use, has purchased primer fluid, antifreeze, and proprietary blend of oil from the manufacturer – has switched to bio-degradable – they’re identified on the containers which truck they’re for.

         Inspections?  Rich asked about the board’s pleasure – annual? at the service center?  We get points for the ISO rating from Brian Nichols, but will be at a cost of $1200 to $1500 per truck.  Max had thought a one truck per year cycle, but if contributes to lower ISO, then yes.

         New apparatus number?  Info to follow.

         UTV discussion – what about use at night?  It’s a great vehicle during the day, and we meet the requirements for use at night, but the lights are minimal and liability rests with the district.  Max added it means less wear and tear on the other vehicles in rough terrain. Leslie added that it’s not suitable for patient transportation because of the tank. Is visibility solvable with a better lighting system?  Rich thought so, with better emergency lighting, too. Also needs mirrors and a horn!  Boyd suggested not to use at night at this point and get Dave Sturtz or Greg to check out.  Kent added we should improve the lights and mirrors and reassess.  Jess agreed – not at night and as always evaluate as conditions require.  We do have a list of certified and trained operators – and rolling SOGs for campfire response and medical calls.

         Maltese updates? Kent still working on – deadline for decision is September.

Inventory – no report

General – ISO updates – rep Brian Nichols will be getting info to us for August.

         Need to set up of an executive board session for Chief’s 1 year mark, which was June 15.  Consensus at this meeting – he’s done a great job and we’re lucky to have him.

Administrative – Plaque for Marv’s – Kent will confer with Chris Finn and Leslie about a small gathering at the Beer Garden.

OTHER BUSINESS

Grants – Boyd reports Watershed Collective, Longmont and Boulder Conservation District, Gold Hill people, and Boyd representing the GHFPD will submit a grant on Wednesday for $800,000 for planning and mitigation.  Also conferring with Meg at Boulder County regarding being a Firewise Community, which helps with home hardening and protecting the whole community.  The Boulder and Longmont Conservation Districts are more interested in bigger pieces of land.  The grant goes from 2026 through 2030.  We’re interested in requesting 2 things – 1. Paying for the Chief’s expertise and time spent over and above what we give him and 2. Possible money for education and communication purposes for Nicky.  Also, will clarify that we’re not big enough to implement big mitigation projects and will submit a budget for $9,000 to facilitate the firewood project as part of the Firewise Community.  Wants board ok for him to represent the district – ok’d.  Implementation will be under the Watershed Collective – Patrick Crist is the new director.  Marcus contributed to the writing.  He wanted to add that this all happened on a real short timeline – they had 10 days to write a grant of this size – harbinger of the future, but they can do a lot with cutting and pasting from previous applications.

Website – Jess will give access and passwords to Nicky.  Boyd also talked to Nicky about talking up the File of Life

Vector Solutions – Boyd asked if it’s being used.  Are the volunteers using it?  Rich said we haven’t migrated anything there yet, but will be.  Big advantage is it gives cred. for structural training – minimum of 20 hours annually, plus stores credentials and has lots of continuing medical education for EMTs, etc.

 COMMUNITY EVENTS/FUNDRAISING – 4^th of July – Leslie reports the money was comparable to last year (more kids came).  We’re good with supplies.  Was mostly pretty nice flow with some backups.  Greg might be doing it next year – Leslie says she will not.  Need to re-up our QR code.  Venmo worked.  Jess suggested we need more sausage and bacon – maybe triple.  Discussion around making pancakes ahead of time and keeping warm in oven for times when line backed up – also, perhaps more grills?

Parking –  Leslie said we do need more signs (no parking this side, no parking here to corner, etc.) and people do pay attention – not a matter of getting enforcement.  Suggested we go to the County Commissioners for roadwork, drainage issues, culverts, etc. and thinks they’d be sympathetic.

NEW BUSINESS – Liability Insurance – BFIS Insurance is up for renewal and is 34 pages – she may need help

Rescue equipment – Rich is requesting up to $1500 recommended by climbing specialist.  Would like to be able to set up 5:1 uphill extrication. Also need rope and rope bag, bucket with apron for tools, prussics, pulleys, helmets.  Boyd moved we support this, Max seconded and the motion passed.

 

Jess moved we adjourn, Max seconded and we adjourned at 20:50

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.