Posted on: October 20th, 2025

GHFPD Board Meeting, Monday, September 15, 2025  

Minutes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Meeting – Monday, November 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at the Firebarn and by Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 19:06 by President Kent Coghill.  Attending in person were Kent, board members Boyd Brown Jessica Brookhart, Chris Dirolf, and Max Yeager.  Attending by Zoom were Stefani Wilson, and Chief Rich Caudiill.

Minutes – Boyd moved the minutes of the September meeting be accepted, Chris seconded and the minutes were approved.

Fire Chief’s Minutes – Rich reports

Lumen/CenturyLink – Things are in the works, especially for emergency communications – has some mainstream media interest in the problem.  Our community needs 9-1-1!  (Addendum: Channel 4 did a news report!)

Responses out of District –There was some confusion on a recent call down Sunshine because a report came through that we were called off, but that was for a different call.  Plenty of units responded, but we should always roll for calls in our District.  SOP – we will always respond to all calls in our jurisdiction.  Will do refresher on areas in borders of our district. All agreed.  Max has asked assessor for a list of taxpayers paying taxes to us.  Rich will confirm with dispatch on who was toned for this call.

Generator – Max reports electrical is hooked up, propane to come (Addendum: All up and running now for back up electricity in case of power outage).

Garage Doors – Still awaiting Engineer’s drawings.  Max met with Jeffrey and Mark Montgomery – the plan is to add 2.5” in width and 6” in height.  BoCo awaiting drawings to issue permit.

Equipment – Rich bought several short sections of hose.

New Truck – Will be delivered after the new year.  What about buying chains – this year or next?  Jess will have preliminary budget by October – needs to make sure.

Old 1500g cistern – Max is thinking we should remove it, backfill and it would give us a straight shot out of the barn.  Would still have 12,000g cistern and would need to change the gutter system.  We have an electrical outlet out there. 

Capital Replacement Plan

New Station – will be a 5-10 year conversation and, in the meantime, we need to keep this one as functional as we can.  Can’t do new slab where parking area is per Max – drainage/creek problem.  The tree he buried there helps with directing water away from barn, but only to a point.

Conex – We’re still using that and it’s ok, although we thought it would only be for 1 year. Max recommends, if we’re keeping it, that we paint and roof it to have something more in keeping with the look of our station.

Grant Cycle – Rich has list including bunker gear, SCBA bottles (some going out of date 2027) Porta Pond (aged out and getting brittle).  Would like potable water system – new poly tank with new superstructure underneath, plumbing and possible pump to upstairs?  There is a tier system in BCFFA 1. Operational needs, 2. Larger items, like rescue equipment, 3. Infrastructure.  Awards from previous years are taken into consideration.  His priority is that cement apron in front before the others. Has contacted 3 contractors for bids

Budget – Jess will get preliminary to everyone before next meeting.  Chris thinks maybe money ($60,000?) left over in BWSC left over. – some available to us?  Boyd thinks they need ~$4500 to upgrade equipment to deal with wood from mitigation work.  Should be available til August of 2026.  Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant is a state grand – could potentially look at for matching funds.  Need to talk to Marcus and Boyd.

Apparatus – We have updated BoCo on delayed status of the new engine/grant.  Will send update and letter of documentation to show progress – also with door project – probably 2026 also.

Maltese Cross – Clarification?  Rich did put out a survey for preferences – trucks, t-shirts, etc.  50/50.  Many don’t want to change from old logo.  Will survey FFs again. New truck people need graphics toward end of production – end of November.

ISO – Meeting is scheduled and if results are favorable on initial testing, they will move forward with further evaluation.  Could take a couple of months.  Will get together with Sunshine and Fourmile and do deep dive evaluation for all at the same time.

Other Business

Grants – Boyd reports the Climate Equity Grant was submitted today.  Will focus on communication, alternative energy sources, large focus on older people or people who need resources.  ISET is Maya’s new group.  Also looking at Firewise status with Meg Holford at BoCo.  Still lots of wood available – some next year.

CWPP – Chris reports no report yet.

Website, Vector Solutions – no report

Parking/Tourism/Town Congestion – Kelly Veit has started a committee to address concerns/possible solutions with the businesses and the community regarding parking, noise, etc.  Kent has joined.  The aftermath is starting to escalate (trash, drunks, and so on) and the fire department has responsibility to address  safety/ emergency access issues.  There was a long discussion and a big concern that where will be an actual disaster eventually if we don’t find better solutions.  Possibly need to meet with the Sherrif’s office.  We had the meeting with BoCo Roads people, Josh Trickey, last year, but signage was the only outcome.  There is also a big problem with erosion narrowing the roads.  Boyd said there are pins buried in the middle of the roads indicating where the middle is and it is supposed to be 35” wide?  We also have the everyday issue of people speeding through town.  We’ve heard Jamestown actually puts barrels in the street with speed indicator signs. 

With that, the meeting adjourned at 8:37

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.