Trent Harwig has been the chief of the Falcon Fire Protection District (FFPD) since January 2003. In the last two years, he has put out several fires, unrelated to firefighting.Tremendous growth in the area has created numerous challenges for the FFPD.Currently, there are three paid crews of two, all career firefighters, and approximately 30 volunteers from areas throughout El Paso County. The FFPD coverage area is 133 square miles, which is larger than any other district in the area. In comparison, the area for coverage in Cimarron Hills is only six square miles.The Falcon coverage area is roughly from County Line Road to the north, south to Highway 94, east of Marksheffel road and west of Peyton Highway. The area is divided into five districts for dispatching purposes.The chart shows the number of calls per district and the average response times for March.While the average response time for the combined districts was nine minutes, the maximum time for District 1 is 27 minutes; for District 2 – 21 minutes; District 3 – 31 minutes; District 4 – 14 minutes; and District 5 – 26 minutes. The data was gathered from the FFPD’s new software program, which tracks call volume, time, incident type and other information.Eighty percent of the calls received in the Falcon district are related to rescue and emergency medical services. All career and volunteer firefighters are emergency medical technicians and two are paramedics. Every firefighter undergoes numerous hours of training over a nine-month period, from emergency medical response to HAZMAT to wildfires.There also are two substations – one is located at Murphy Road and Meridian Road on the north side of the district, and the other is located at Jones road and Curtis road on the southeast side of the district. Both are simple garage-type structures that include a couple bays.Harwig said that Ray O’Sullivan, the developer of Santa Fe Springs, has committed to building another full fire station. However, he said the one additional station would not be enough. Harwig, who is still stymied by the November 2004 ballot failure, predicts the district will have to go back to voters again, requesting a bond to build additional stations and to purchase apparatuses and gear. “We are the only entity that can increase your taxes and save you money in the process,” he said. “Your homeowner’s insurance is rated by the ISO (Insurance Services Organization). The difference between a six rating and a 10 (10 is the worst), is $1,100 a year.” If you are outside the five-mile radius of the fire station, it’s an automatic 10, which is very costly on your homeowners insurance. There are many areas in the FFPD that are outside of the five mile radius.”Growth also is having an impact on day-to-day operations. “In this district I am the administrator as well as fire chief and fire marshal,” Harwig said. “In most districts, there is an administrator and a chief. As the fire marshal, I am required to inspect all new commercial buildings as well as the plans and sign off on them. It’s very time consuming as many do not pass the first or even the second and third time.”The FFPD’s budget is $800,000 annually. Approximately 50 percent of that budget is salaries and benefits for the nine paid employees. Twenty-five percent goes to lease-purchase agreements for equipment, and another 25 percent for equipment on the trucks. The Falcon station has two new Class A pumper trucks, two new water tenders, one brush truck, one interface engine, and a duty truck – all purchased on the lease-purchase program. “It’s a better deal for the taxpayers and us,” Harwig said. “However, with our small budget and the growth we are experiencing, our needs are growing expeditiously. We are going to have to get out there and let the voters know what our needs are and that it’s their safety that is at stake.”A few personnel conflicts have plagued the department as well.Deputy Chief Alex Donnell (a volunteer firefighter and a board member) has stepped down as deputy chief. He continues sit on the board and work as a volunteer.”It’s not unusual,” Harwig said. “The volunteers choose their own leaders, and they change from time to time.” The volunteers also come and go. “Many hope to get hired as career firefighters in Colorado Springs or another larger city,” Hartwig said. “Paid and volunteers receive the same training. We simply can’t afford to hire more full-time staff, which is unfortunate. We couldn’t exist without the volunteers.”Twelve new volunteers, including two women, will be graduating in early May. A new class will begin at the end of May. If anyone is interested, call or stop by the firehouse for more information.Stay tuned for more information on safety issues with both the fire department and the sheriff’s department.Note: The probationary firefighter graduation and promotion ceremonies will be held on May 7 at 6 p.m. at Falcon Christian Church. The public is invited.
