The Peyton Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Sept. 6 and decided to pursue high-tech equipment acquisitions.Computer equipmentThe board unanimously approved a proposal to buy $10,865.52 worth of new computer equipment from Rob Nordeman, owner of Black Forest Computer Solutions and a volunteer lieutenant for the district.Nordeman said he had been working with board Vice President Jim Fraas for the past three months to scope out equipment that will be faster and more reliable than the laptop and two work stations the district already owns.The purchase will include three Dell work stations, which Nordeman said work with the district’s three current computers, plus Windows Small Business Server, Office 2010 and anti-virus software.Nordeman said using charity licenses saves money on software costs, and he has agreed to cut his installation rate in half and provide ongoing maintenance at no charge.The board unanimously approved a resolution allowing Fraas to sign a contract with Nordeman.”I want to cover both you (Nordeman) and us,” Fraas said.Board president Leon Gomes said the district is not required by Colorado Revised Statutes to put the purchase out for bid because the dollar amount is less than $50,000.The purchase is for long-term use, so funding will come from the district’s capital reserve, Gomes said.GrantsCapt. Michael Deckard had been asked to research grants for items the district needs.Deckard presented a list totaling $77,926:
- A thermal imaging camera, such as the 3M Eagle, for about $8,188
- A four-gas meter for about $550 to supplement the two-gas meters the district already owns; four-gas meters can detect hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas), oxygen gas, carbon monoxide and lower explosive limit (a measure of combustible gas concentration)
- Ten sets of bunker gear for about $20,000
- Extrication gear for about $49,188
The TNT-brand extrication package he researched would include everything the district could possibly need – from a brake cutter to an 80-inch ram – and would allow two tools to be used at the same time, which their current extrication gear can’t do, Deckard said.Deckard said he was ready to submit the district’s application for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters grant Sept. 14, but he needed to know how much the board was willing to provide in matching funds.”We qualify for a 5-percent match or we can do a 10-percent match, but I was told by some pretty reliable people that if you increase your match, it gives you a far better chance to get the grant,” Deckard said.The board authorized Deckard to submit a FEMA AFG application for the items on his $77,926 list, using a 15-percent match not to exceed $12,000. If the district gets the grant, the matching funds will come from its capital reserve.”This is excellent leverage of $12,000,” Gomes said.FEMA will award the grants next May after two elimination rounds, one at the end of this year and another in early March, Deckard said.He said the district can also apply for grants from Target and Wal-Mart.The board discussed other items the district needs, including 800 megahertz radios, an emergency backup generator and stabilizing jacks for righting overturned vehicles.”We’ve got ditches – that’s where I’m concerned,” Fraas said.Deckard is also tracking down used vehicles through the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office. He is looking for inside contacts at Fort Carson and the U.S. Air Force Academy who can let him know when vehicles are available because they go fast.After 9/11, the U.S. Department of Defense set up the DRMO program so local fire and police departments get first call on vehicles the military is retiring. The vehicles are free.
Fleet cardsThe district’s treasurer, David Stoddard, asked the board’s approval to obtain fleet cards from Farmers State Bank for district vehicles. Each card will have the vehicle’s identification number, and the cards will be linked to a credit card, Stoddard said.”The advantage of a fleet card is that we’ll be able to get fuel for the vehicles if vehicles go out of the district,” Stoddard said.Stoddard’s resolution unanimously passed.
Chief’s reportInterim fire Chief Sharon Brown said she returned five sets of bunker gear that were delivered without identification lettering. “They wanted us to pay for everything to be sent back. It was all a big run-around,” she said.The fire department has been asked to be on standby for football games and homecoming events, including a bonfire, this year, Brown said.The fire department responded to 21 calls in August but firefighters still need to complete reports on 13 of the calls.Brown said she is also tracking down certification paperwork on three of the district’s emergency medical technicians.
Status on hiring a new chiefThe deadline for applying for the vacant fire chief position has passed, and the board received five applications, said board director Pat Palacol.Interviews of at least three candidates were scheduled Sept. 17 at Peyton High School. Scheduling conflicts could mean that two candidates will be interviewed another day.
Other businessThe board unanimously voted to return volunteer Troy Anderson to full-member status.By a unanimous vote, the board decided to sell vehicle No. 3671 for $800 to Jason Bratkowsky, who wants the truck, valued at $250 to $350, for its tires, Fraas said.Four board members (Gomes, Fraas, Stoddard and William Beary) said they had planned to attend the Special District Association of Colorado 2011 Conference in Breckenridge, Colo., in mid-September.The board then entered executive session to discuss personnel matters.
