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7F0022C273015DDB8725888C005FDB2A Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGES

INTERIM COMMITTEE  WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Jul 27, 2022      
Location Old Supreme Court



Volunteer Firefighter Challenges - Committee Discussion Only


11:27:04 AM  
Chief Collin Isenhart,
Big Elk Volunteer Fire Department, presented regarding volunteer fire departments
and explained that they are funded through donations and grants. The presentation
may be accessed here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/volunteer_ff_challenges_wfmrc.pdf.
He discussed the challenges with applying for grants, the lack of resources
for recruitment or retention, and difficulty certifying volunteer firefighters.
 Chief Isenhart responded to questions regarding forming a fire protection
district and a 2022 volunteer firefighter program.  Senator Coram
discussed a committee letter to the Department of Public Safety.
11:42:10 AM  
Chief David Wolf,
Estes Valley Fire Protection District, explained the area that the district
serves and the history of fires in the areas. He discsussed the challenges
the district faces, including increased number of response calls, the increased
cost of living in the area, and keeping current with volunteer standards.
Chief Wolf requested the state incentive volunteer firefighting, remove
barriers to accessing funding, and increase resources for fire prevention
across the state.  
11:54:12 AM  
Chief Brad White,
Grand Fire Protection District (GFPD), described the GFPD area and staff,
and provided data on number of departments, firefighters, and equipment
in the state. He discussed the challenges that fire departments reported
across the state, including number of volunteers, call volume, and engine
and equipment needs.  Chief White discussed the status of grant funding
from the Department of Public Safety.  
12:05:35 PM  
Committee members
commented on the fire department presentations.  The presenters responded
to committee questions.  






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