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OCN > 2304 > Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, March 22 – Local COVID emergency status ends; vehicle storage agreement approved

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, March 22 – Local COVID emergency status ends; vehicle storage agreement approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on March 22, the board terminated the local COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration, approved a vehicle storage agreement for two nonprofit organizations, and recommended funding to memorialize a firefighter. The board also received multiple district updates and scheduled a special meeting in April to approve the sub-district dissolution process and amend the budget.

Note: The Board of Directors’ election was canceled due to a lack of additional candidates.

Director Mike Forsythe was excused.

Local COVID disaster emergency terminated

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said the district had been under a local disaster emergency since March 17, 2020 due to the SARS-COVID-19 virus, and he recommended the board approve Resolution 2023-02 ordering the termination of the declaration of the local disaster emergency. See www.ocn.me/v20n4.htm#dwfpd.

The board approved the resolution, 4-0.

Vehicle storage agreements

Michelle Ferguson of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm requested the board approve the vehicle storage agreements for two nonprofit organizations: Emergency Incident Support and the American Red Cross. The organizations are using the Sun Hills property (formerly DWFPD Station 3) for vehicle storage and food and beverage preparation. See www.ocn.me/v22n10.htm#dwfpd and www.ocn.me/v22n11.htm#dwfpd.

President Mark Gunderman said the contracts had been changed from a minimum liability of $5 million insurance coverage to $1 million for both parties in accordance with the value of the property.

The board approved the rental agreements, 4-0.

Note: Both organizations will use the Sun Hills property at no cost. The district paid about $7,932 in utilities for the Sun Hills property last year.

Request to memorialize firefighter

Lt. Roger Lance requested funding up to $1,500 for a memorialization plaque in honor of Firefighter/Paramedic Doug McIntyre. Lance said that McIntyre had served the Gleneagle community for 18 years and responded to over 10,000 calls during his career, saving countless lives. For many of the medics, he was their first partner and taught the difference between what was taught in EMT school and how it really works on the street. During his career, McIntyre was recognized by the Colorado State Assembly, by the U.S. Congress and was awarded the medal of valor, but most importantly he was a mentor, a brother, a friend, and an inspiration to the crews at Wescott. McIntyre took a medical retirement in 2017 and passed away unexpectedly in 2021, and the concern is that as time passes, his story will fade, Lance said.

Lt. Kurt Leonberger said that since McIntyre had built the roof on the gazebo at Station 4, the intent is to hold a small dedication service there and install a plaque in his honor.

Gunderman said the board is fully supportive of the project and that the decision ultimately falls to Kovacs.

Kovacs said the district is happy to honor the request, and the funding source will be identified. He requested Lance and Leonberger proceed with the project, and the district will find a day and time to celebrate the life of McIntyre.

Subdistrict dissolution process update

Ferguson requested the district hold a brief special meeting on April 24 at 4:30 p.m. to approve the letter that the district’s attorney, Emily Powell, was preparing for the sub-district dissolution. The letter allows the sub-district to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD). Until the merger is completed, for legal purposes the district is still Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District and doing business as MFD. The vast majority of the DWFPD residents reside in the sub-district (northern portion of the district). After board approval, a court petition will be filed around May 1, she said. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

The board approved the special meeting, 4-0.

Board of Directors election canceled

Incumbent Director Charles Fleece, Treasurer Duane Garrett, and Secretary Larry Schwarz all submitted self-nomination forms and will begin four-year tenures in May 2023. There were no additional candidates, and all three directors will continue on the five-member board. The cancellation of the election was posted at www.monumentfire.org in early March. For more information, see www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

Financial reports

Kovacs said that after the departure of Administrative Assistant Stacey Popovich in late 2022, the district had decided to contract The Accounting Office Inc. to handle accounting. The change in accounting procedures would require the board to adopt an amended budget at the next board meeting. The district had received the bulk of property taxes in early March, and the first of the quarterly fund transfers of $782,498 to MFD was scheduled to be made in March, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

Gunderman said the December financial report would be accepted after the budget amendment had been approved at the next meeting, and the cancellation of the election would provide $32,000 in additional budgeted funds for the November election.

The board accepted the January and February financial reports as presented, 4-0.

Above: The new Pierce Type 1 engine arrives in Monument on Feb. 13. The engine will receive equipment and be placed into service at Station 4 after a “push-in” ceremony in April. Photo courtesy of MFD.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

  • An update from district employee Firefighter/Paramedic Charles Ragland, the instructor representing the district at the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s Fire Academy, confirmed the seven district firefighter recruits are performing well.
  • The district completed 824 hours of training in February.
  • Emergency Medical Services responded to three out of four requests for service from American Medical Response. The number of requests remain steady compared to the first quarter of 2022.
  • Station 5 (Highway 83/Stage Coach Road) received back-lit red signage to match Stations 1 and 4.
  • Both water heaters were replaced at Station 5, and the rooftop HVAC unit at Station 4 was replaced. The units cost $15,000 to $20,000 each.

Note: Additional information can be found in the MFD article on page < 21 >, and the monthly chief’s reports are available at www.monumentfire.org.

NEPCO meeting

Gunderman said he and Kovacs spoke at the Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) meeting on March 11. He talked to a group of about 20 representatives from various Monument and Gleneagle homeowners’ associations about the merger of the two districts, and Kovacs spoke to the group about wildland mitigation, he said. See the NEPCO article on page < 22 >.

Engine crew assist during water main break

Fleece thanked Engineer Golden Rains and his crew for assisting during a water main break in his neighborhood in February. He said that it was lucky the crew had just wrapped up training when the water main break occurred. Academy Water and Sanitation District (AWSD) estimated about 2,200 gallons per minute were headed toward the barn on his property, and Rains and his crew helped for almost an hour until AWSD staff arrived, and he appreciated the Fire Department going above and beyond, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

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Push-in ceremony

After the meeting, Kovacs announced that Local 4319 will serve a pancake breakfast and hold a community “push-in” ceremony for the new engine 514 and the squad car on Sat., April 15, 10 am at Station 4. 15415 Gleneagle Drive, 80921. Please check the district website listed below for updates.

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Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, 80132. The board will hold a special meeting on April 26 at 4:30 p.m., and the next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 24 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting attendance is open to the public in person or via Zoom. For joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

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