Posted on: February 16th, 2025

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, Proposed minutes of the Monday, January 20, 2025, Fire Board Meeting by Acting Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Fireboard Meeting is Monday, February 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at the Firebarn

PENSION BOARD MEETING was called to order by Kent Coghill.  Leslie Finn and Jessica Brookhart were present.  Jessica reported that there was no business to address, but they did get the matching money from the State and she will transfer the approx. $2,000 to our Pension Fund.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:06.

FIREBOARD MEETING was then called to order by Kent.  Present were other board members Chris Dirolf, Boyd Brown, and Jessica Brookhart, plus Chief Rich Caudill, Donal Maloney, Caroline Ashley, Marcus Moench, Kathleen Gilgannon, Chris Finn, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Max Yeager checked in at 7:40.

MINUTES of the November meeting were approved.

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES

Operational Needs – Vector Solutions rollout – Chief reports he’ll need to figure out how to transfer stuff to the ESO system.  He’s started to get everybody invited to log in and then can move on with assignments including medical and entering all personal information.  He will enter certifications and integrate them into training – ICS, ladders, etc.

Training – They had radio training last weekend.  Val Crist  did a great job scheduling with the radio people and handling the software updates.  Thanks for that.  The new radios have paging capabilities, too.  They have 14 new BKs and are keeping old Kenwoods for now.  They have 7 or 8 of the small Kenwoods and 3 of the big box ones.  Kent asked if they got any whips, but Chief said they came with 12-14” antennas which provide good transmissability and he doesn’t think they’ll need longer ones.

Maintenance – 5404 pump intercooler has a line leak and the discharge drain gets stuck.  They have maybe $2500 for past plans for repair, so may need up to $3500 to $4000 with these additional repairs.  There is no full quote from Scott at SV – might all cost $5-6,000?   The plan is to replace the gravity drain with manual drains.  Jess reports there are adequate funds for repairs.  Scott has time in January and February – gets busy in March and April.

         Kent is good with the plan to keep 5404 fully functional as backup.  Chris is good either way – keep it fixed, or if getting rid of it, it’s good to have it in working order.  Jess adds that if repairs end up higher, she may have to transfer some funds around.

Equipment – Chief reports no further needs really right now.  He will start spending on things already in the budget like base radios for the new trucks.  He sat down with Chief Schmidt of Sunshine and walked through the needs.  Also started buying odds and ends – adapters, etc.  Kent will get together with Rich and Jess and the budget and see how everything is standing.  Portable radios were covered in the grant, but not truck radios.  National grants open in April.  We’ll hear in mid-February about the latest Firefighter grants.

         The chassis will be delivered soon and radios will be  needed during the 2^nd quarter.  Jess thinks we’ll need to wait until mid-February and the County Grant.  If we don’t get it, we’ll have to take a closer look at the budget and any extra expenses

         Chief wants to prepare for potential expenses coming up – GIS Services (geographical info) can incorporate data to electronic tablets/iPads, can upload water supplies, evacuation routes, etc.  Discussion to be had about the process for moving forward with contractor (Emma), legal issues, and $ for the hardware.  Kent supports moving forward with the mapping software for GH.  Leslie reports that if an expense is under $150,000 we don’t have to have 3 bids, so we’re good to use Emma.  So, will wait until Feb. meeting to see re grants and vote on budget, plus look at Assist/Firefighters grant.  Jess suggests that budget discussions should begin in January for the next year.  The GIS implementation is important, but could wait until ’26 if necessary.  Chris Dirolf wondered if he should sit out the vote since he is married to Emma?  Chris Finn added that GIS stuff was approved by the board many years ago.

Recruiting – Rich reports Drew now has a pager and was at the radio training.  Volunteer minimum standards are on the radar this year now that we have a cadre of officers and volunteers.  We will roll out ideas at the company meeting on Thursday to get input and document procedures and policies.

         Leslie pointed out that we have a limit on the number of firefighters getting pensions at the same time (30), so we need to keep a good roster and keep track.

         Rich will take over the email list.

New Truck – Boyd reported that Fouts liked ourc design for the Type 6 brush unit so much that they are adopting our design for manufacture and purchase.  We also have support from neighboring departments, especially Chief Schmidt. Jess wondered humorously if we’ll get a discount then.   Rich suggested we’ll get a lot of acknowledgement with this truck is delivered – Gold Hill Model 5!

Infrastructure – We have two things to pursue if we get the grants – the generator and the doors.

Operational Readiness/Strategic Planning – Boyd reports that he and Donal have been working on the evacuation update and a buddy system for communication in emergencies – particularly wildfires.  They are in communication with Nederland and ODM (Office of Disaster Management).  Wondering how many of our community members are signed up with Everbridge (the County 9-1-1 system).  They’re thinking of doing a FD event some time and focus on getting everyone signed up.  (Go to website  https://boulderodm.gov  to sign up)

         Leslie is working on getting forms for people to put on their refrigerators to let First Responders know any medical issues/ meds, etc.

         Marcus is also talking about a mitigation education event.

Capital Improvements – We need to create a committee to look at a plan (probably 5 year plan or 5+) for a new station.  Will send an email out to request people to be on the committee to start planning.   Max has contacted Land Use re any requirements (and breaks we might get as a FD). We know we need a new station and that it will be a long term thing, so we should begin our research.  Lots of partnership possibilities with the GHTM.

Budget – Jess reports that we’re used to a smaller budget so now that it’s much bigger, we do need to start the conversation on 2026 at the first of the year.

Vehicle needs for 5402, 39, UTV, Kent asked? Nothing right now.  He reports that the new truck will be decaled by Fauts and asked about what logo we want –The current one is great, or could be incorporated into the Maltese cross?  Will bring up at company meeting.

Inventory – Rich wondered about t-shirts moving forward – Fire Department name on back?  Also, with new technology it’s easy to create individual t-shirts with name and title – does cost more.  Kent thinks we need to double check the budget, but thinks that especially captains, chief, and assistant chief should get navy blue button down shirts.  Will discuss at company meeting and put on agenda for Feb. meeting.

General – Boyd reports we need an Election Official/DEO for the election in May.  He has approached Liz – she’s considering.  Board members up for election are willing to continue, but if other people are interested in running the election will be held.   

Mitigation – Boyd reports he’s met with Dan and Marcus and Julian with WSC (Watershed Coalition) to figure out how to finish carrying out the plans.  There is some leftover money and they’re looking for how to use that.  East St. is done. The acre near Maloney’s that’s already done has been walked.  Joey and Sheila want to see how that looks before proceeding with more.  The last 30 acres at the Ashram are done and there’s a ton of wood for them and the community once it all cures .  Caroline Ashley reports there is still a lot of wood on her land as well which will be removed in the next month or so.   And she has many piles to burn, too.  High winds blow down isolated trees so, clumps are better.  All is good and she’s happy with what’s been accomplished.  Boyd reports that clumps and grouping and patchwork have been taken into consideration to avoid blowdown as well as leaving more trees, removing ladder fuels and clear cutting along roads.  They’re also looking at the mitigation done the last 7-10 years and taking out the undergrowth, etc. again that’s regenerated.  They will be doing some prescribed burns, but they involve a lot of people and apparatus.

         Marcus adds that they are looking at a Community Fire Mitigation Festival to keep everyone informed and encouraged and to start that maintenance.

CWPP – Chris Dirolf reports there will be more information after the next meeting.

Website – With Vector Solutions coming up it may be possible to transfer stuff from our website to VS – there’s lots of storage available.  Our website is our community resource for information, but big internal stuff could go to VS

Donation – We got a nice donation from Larry – usually Jess does the thank yous.

Parking – no report

Signage – Rich suggested that we move forward with signs – Steffi?  The County got back to Joanne and they would not do signs for FD property.  Kent reported that we did agree to incur the cost for signs.  The County hasn’t been helpful, so maybe $150-200?  Thinks possibly we should include fire ban signs.  Kent will get with Rich and find a company.

 

NEW BUSINESS –

Credit Card – Rich found the credit card assigned to Leslie.  Right now, Leslie has one and Jess has one.  Kent will get with Jess and see what needs to be done to get Rich one.  Chris Finn added that the board needs a resolution so that Rich can sign at the bank.  Kent will confirm with Jess what needs to be done with the bank.

Emergency Information – Leslie has looked into Medical Cards/big magnets that will stick to refrigerators and list Name, DOB, Meds, allergies and they want to get them for everybody.  If we get them in packs of 25, they’re $2 each.  Boyd would like Rich and Leslie to choose and the board to allocate the money to take care of this.  Agenda for Feb. – get a picture of how many and the cost.  Boyd moved that we allocate $200 so they can get started, Max seconded and it passed.

Boyd moved we adjourn, Max seconded and we ended the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary