By Jon Huang
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting Feb. 19 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building on 7030 Old Meridian Road. Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, assistant secretary; Ray Hawkins, treasurer; James Reid, president; Dan Kupferer, vice president; Steve Podoll, secretary; Trent Harwig, chief, attended.
January minutes
The board unanimously approved January minutes.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the numbers through January 2025, representing 8.3% of the fiscal year. The General Fund was at 1% of anticipated revenues. Total expenses were at 7% of expected. The Ambulance Transport Fund was at 4% of the expected revenues. Total expenses were at 7% of expected. The Capital Project Fund had received 1% of expected revenues. Total expenses were at 9% of expected. The Rural Water Fund had no new activity.
The board unanimously passed the report.
Staff report
Chief Jeff Petersma presented the operations report for December 2024.
There were 350 total calls in December. Year-to-date totals were 4,116 calls for the year, with 3,330 for the Falcon district. Response times across all districts for December remain stable. For the year, the average response time across all districts was six minutes and 41 seconds. Petersma told the board to expect additional responses to the Black Forest area because of the recent agreement between the two departments to have the closest unit respond for ambulances, which took effect Dec. 9.
Petersma presented the EMS report. There were 147 transports in January, with an average cash per trip of $750.89; the 24-month average was $634.49 cash per trip. With the supplemental Medicaid reimbursement, cash per trip was $854.65.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report. Through January, there were 16 building inspections, 18 follow-up inspections, six fire finals, two partial inspections, one medical gas, one underground fuel systems, two pre-construction meetings and five electronic development application reviews. Kauffman told the board he will be doing an inspection fee schedule comparison across other local fire departments and will present this to the board for consideration. Harwig said it’s been 20 years since the last change in fees.
Harwig reported that the state is planning on passing a new wildland-urban interface code, but currently the implementation timeframe and financial implications of this for the district are yet to be determined.
Attorney’s report
Fritsche informed the board the district’s liability insurance had agreed to settle over a 2021 accident involving district personnel and a brush truck that had been responding to a fire. The insurance company had agreed to settle for the statutory cap under the government immunity for a maximum of $387,000. The district would not be admitting fault.
This settlement was considered because given the expected duration of proceedings, the anticipated legal costs of going to trial would likely reach or exceed the settlement amount regardless of whether the district ultimately won the case. Fritsche noted that the plaintiff’s damages were over $5 million.
Maintenance building update
Harwig presented four change orders. Change Order No. 6 was a charge for an access control system for $3,074. Change Order No. 7 was for a credit for permit fees that the district paid directly for $17,500. Change Order No. 8 was for cold weather-associated costs for $7,053. Change Order No. 9 was for utility costs for $845.18.
Regarding Change Order No. 8, Kerby told Hammers Construction’s Joe Butler the district would contest these charges because the district had not been notified at the time costs were incurred. Butler agreed to waive these charges.
The board unanimously approved No. 6, No. 7 and No. 9. The board also approved Hammers Construction Pay Application No. 10 for $98,979.77. The board anticipates receiving the final contract close out schedule later this week.
Sheriff’s Office substation update
Kerby received paperwork from the Sheriff’s Office to lay down asphalt on the driveway, despite his previous requests to consider concrete. Because of the heavier weight of the fire trucks that would be driving over it, he reiterated that concrete would be a more durable and cost-effective solution for both sides, especially since any future maintenance cost would be split between the two departments. He said he would follow up in person with the Sheriff’s Office about this.
Falcon Fire Department 50th anniversary
The board proposed Saturday, May 10, for the 50th anniversary event and will confirm at the next meeting.
New business
The board unanimously passed Resolution 2-19-2025-1 to appoint Mandi Kirk as designated election official. The board also passed a proposal to perform a 2024 audit costing $19,600, which was within the district’s budget of $20,000.
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
- Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
- Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
- Twitter: @FalconFireDept
- NextDoor.com
