Fire Chief Trent Harwig was busy at the Jan.15 meeting of the Falcon Fire Protection District Board of Directors as he swore in one new firefighter, Tim Wilkerson, and promoted eight more.The following firefighters were promoted from within the department: Cale Lohman and Brandon McKenna, who were promoted to driver/operator; Brian Deckard, Curtis Kaufman and Ben Racki were named lieutenants. The department also gained three new battalion chiefs ó Joseph Cosgrove, Corey Kirt and David Smith.Treasurer’s reportHarwig presented a positive final financial report for 2019. He said in all areas the budget was underspent by a total of $143,000. With the closing out of the 2019 budget, the beginning fund balances for 2020 will be adjusted accordingly. Chief’s reportHarwig said he had just made the final payment of $775,000 on station 4. He said with early payments the district had saved about $152,000 in interest. Jon Webb, chief of the medical services division, reported that in December the new ambulance service transported 98 patients; AMR picked up one call that FFPD could not take; FFPD picked up a Black Forest call. Webb said the ambulance crews were doing an outstanding job, handling multiple calls back to back and they saved one person from cardiac arrest. The department hired three new paramedics with two more to start on Feb. 23. By the next week they were expected to take delivery of a third ambulance. Thus far in January, the ambulance service made 44 transports.In the month of December there were 4,128 reserve standby hours.New administration buildingAs a result of a special board meeting on Dec. 18, plans were changed from building a new administration building to building a new fire station to replace station 3. Harwig said he had met with YOW Architects about the change in plans. The board decided to use the same floor plan as station 4.Volunteers to get increased stipendThe board approved the 2020 Reserve Stipend and Benefit Schedule which increased the volunteer stipend from $25 to $35 for a 12 hour shift. Harwig said the budget would not have to be adjusted to accommodate the change.Surplus fire engineThe department now has three new fire engines. They also have two 2003 fire engines. The board decided to keep one of those 2003 fire engines as a backup and designate the other as surplus, and sell it.Executive sessionThe meeting ended with an executive session to discuss personnel matters related to Harwig’s employment contract.The next board meeting will be at fire station 3 on Old Meridian Road on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection DistrictWebsite: http://www.falconfirepd.orgFacebook: Falcon Fire DepartmentTwitter: @FalconFireDeptNextDoor.com
