Posted on: May 20th, 2025

GHFPD Board Meeting, Monday, May 19, 2025

         Minutes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

The meeting was called to order by President Kent Cogill at 7:10.  Present were board members Kent, Max Yeager, Chris Dirolf, Jess Brookhart, and Boyd Brown, community members Leslie Finn and Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Attending by Zoom were Val Crist, Chief Rich Caudill, and Steffi Wilson.

MINUTES – The last meeting was recorded and Jess is looking into getting that into AI minutes

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES –  Chief Rich Caudill

Operational needs – Rich reports that he met with a representative from Lumen (CenturyLink) to look at our options for setting up battery back up for our communications when our electricity goes down.

 

Training – Great one with Sunshine last Saturday.  Asst Chief Greg Buis practiced managing the attack on a wildland fire.

 

Maintenance –

Rich and Max are evaluating generator pads – concrete? steel?  Needs to be 24” x 48” and approx. 2’ above grade on gravel for drainage.

            Jeff Bishop of Bishop Electric will be doing a big upgrade of the whole station to get it up to snuff – including going from 100 amps to 200 – and Max is getting him the paperwork/permits.

            Garage Door – Max reports unmanageable communications dealing with Primos and is looking elsewhere – likely Northern Overhead.

           

Equipment Needs –

            Few items needed for the brush truck – tire chains are huge and will probably cost $500-600/pair.  Max recommends Tire Chains R Us – sell delivered.  Seat covers – Leslie suggested Carhart.  Rich will be checking.

 

Recruitment –

            Still working on minimum standards and considering different levels of volunteering – not decided yet.

            Aiden Bicknell will be on the roster for the summer and then back to Alaska.  Red /Card, EMT, Wildland Fire certified.  Will be available when in town.  When finishes school, coming back to CO.   Boyd had a long conversation with Chief O’Brien about out of district on the roster,  O’Brien will get with Rich to discuss.

            Kent askes if roster and radio numbers are up to date – mostly – some changes may still occur.  Rich is 5460, Greg 5461, Dave Sturtz 5462.  Dispatch tracks the 60s.

 

Infrastructure –

            Max reports we have the new fireplug for the cistern west of town and he needs to hear from Jesse Farmer about timing for installation.  He will take the old timbers to the Town Clean Up dumpsters if we won’t use them.

            Replacement tank in back of barn – would be potable water.   Rich thinks we can fit between 750-850 gal. tank – looking at grants – probably cost $1500 – $2000.  State Health and Safety grants ran out last year, but Federal grants should open up this year.

 

OPERATIONAL READINESS

Capital Replacement Plan –

New Station – Planning committee on hold until late fall when more projects completed.  Max reports that he’s spoken With Amber at Land Use and they want to help.  The 35 acre minimum lot size seems firm.  (Max corrected the New Station report and the State Mandated 35 acre minimum lot size.  Land Use could peel off a smaller parcel (i.e., for a new station), but not if it makes the larger parcel less than 35 acres.

Budget – Jess reports signatures for audit exemption form are done.  Bank wants a different form to get Rich on the account – maybe this week.  She’s just waiting on the Tax ID number clarification.

Vehicles – Max reports that after our expenditure of $6000, 5404 should be good for years.

            New truck – estimated delivery is November.  Max will continue with Ace Services  (CORRECTED TO ACERTUS) on delivery. 

They will want logo by end of July.  Jess will send out mock ups of the Maltese ‘Cross incorporating our old truck logo for consideration by volunteers.  Kent will follow up.

            Radios will be ordered tomorrow thanks to Val and Dave Sturtz’s hard work.  Should cost $5000 to $5500.  Will use the new VHF radio in the station in that truck.  Plus, we have old Motorolas and will need new programable ones if we ever choose to send that truck out on missions

Inventory – nothing new

General –

            Evacuation Plan updates – all done per Boyd.

            Ashram and community fire wood opportunities – Boyd’s been working with Ben Markle and the wood at Tone’s will be cut in lengths.  Ashram wood probably be available in the spring.

            Clarification on ISO rating – Rich reports Indian Peaks, Sunshine, Fourmile all will be getting together with the ISO adjuster regarding an upgrade within 1000’ of a hydrant.  Will revisit the criteria and will have test with relay.  There has also been improvement with all the wildfire risk reduction work to consider, too.

            Looking into Smoke and CO detectors to disburse – maybe partner with GHTM for some direct purchase discount.  Maybe coordinate with new truck delivery.

Administrative – We want to express our appreciation to the people at Marv’s, especially Brandon Rheinsmith for being so helpful to us – getting us vehicles to practice extrication and putting out fires as well responding up here in difficult situations (Lickskillet) with a plaque.  Leslie will take the lead – maybe at the Inn.

OTHER BUSINESS –

Grants – Kris Gibson is working on a Subway grant for GIS.

Signage – Rich is meeting with the Sheriff regarding signage for fire restrictions in the district.

Collaboration – CWPP – Chris Dirolf reports that GHFPD, Sunshine, and Fourmile have applied to the National Forest Foundation for a grant of $121,625.00 for new standardized signage, an Emergency Call Box, as well as a lot of other stuff.

Website – Jess reports it needs some work keeping it updated.

Community Events/Fundraising

            Mitigation Festival – Boyd reports that it starts June 14,15th and includes handing out the File of Life as well as Teens, Inc. coming up for a couple of weeks to help with home hardening, weed whacking, Wildfire Partners providing information, and includes the Sunset Run on the 22^nd, the proceeds of which benefit the town.  The big goal is to start the process of figuring out how to keep our mitigation work current.

            Fourth of July – Leslie volunteered to run it. There are always lots of volunteers to help. Joanne Cole has already gone to work getting a bunch of donations.

Swearing In of New (old) Members – Chris Dirolf and Boyd Brown were officially sworn in as Board Members.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Acting Secretary