CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM THE COLORADO FIRE COMMISSION
INTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Jul 2, 2024
Location Old State Library
Presentation from the Colorado Fire Commission - Committee Discussion Only
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01:04:25 PM |
Chief Mike Morgan,
representing the Colorado Fire Commission, presented to the committee and
a copy of the presentation was distributed to the committee (Attachment
G).
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01:06:53 PM |
Chief Mark Novak,
representing the Colorado Fire Commission, reviewed the mission and goals
of the Colorado Fire Commission. He reviewed the key areas of focus for
the commission, including prescribed fires, retention and recruitment,
training and certification, and funding for emergency services. Chief Novak
highlighted the need to build a capable and sustainable firefighting workforce,
which includes more career pathways, more funding, and more innovation.
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01:13:43 PM |
Chief Novak reviewed
information about prescribed fires and the impacts of prescribed fires
on Colorado, which include the impacts on communities, residents, landowners,
policy makers, and emergency services. He discussed the benefits of prescribed
fires, which include wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem health, and wildlife
habitat improvement. Chief Novak spoke about the challenges of prescribed
fires, including regulatory and legal barriers, environmental and safety
concerns, public perception and acceptance, logistical challenges, and
ecological concerns.
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01:21:58 PM |
Chief T.J. Steck,
representing the Colorado Fire Commission, discussed the challenges of
firefighter retention and recruitment. He reviewed information about the
2022 Needs Assessment that indicated that the Colorado Fire Service needs
an additional 1,085 career and 1,327 volunteer firefighters over the next
two years to meet the growing service demand. Chief Steck reviewed what
is needed to address retention and recruitment, which includes developing
a recruiting website, using social media, and increasing funding for rural
agencies.
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01:36:15 PM |
Captain Bryce Boyer,
representing the Colorado Fire Commission, discussed the Training and Certification
Subcommittee of the Commission. He stated there is currently no requirements
to be a firefighter in Colorado and certification is voluntary. He reviewed
the challenges with training, which include better definitions around training,
sustainable funding, and inclusion of non-fire service partners.
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01:46:36 PM |
The committee asked
questions of the panelists regarding the current status of fire in Pueblo,
responsibilities of volunteer firefighters, funding sources and challenges,
property tax changes, cooperation on prescribed fires, and insurance complications.
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