<\/p>\n
The Dolores Fire Protection District recently upgraded its fleet.<\/p>\n
The district purchased a new E1 pumper truck for $480,000. A grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs covered half the cost.<\/p>\n
Also a new Braun Northwest ambulance was purchased for $179,000. A grant from EMS Providers covered half the cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been saving for a few years for these purchases,\u201d said Dolores Fire Chief Mike Zion.<\/p>\n
The new pumper truck features larger pumps and a computerized, compressed-air foaming system used to smother fires and conserve water. It replaces a 30-year old truck with high maintenance costs. The new ambulance has top-notch life-saving equipment and improved off-road capacity. It replaces one that is 31 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen emergency vehicles get to that age, they need to be replaced,\u201d Zion said.<\/p>\n
The Dolores district is considering donating the used fire truck and ambulance to a proposed Westfork volunteer fire station, which is in the process of being created by local residents.<\/p>\n
Much of the Westfork neighborhood is in a kind of no-man\u2019s land for fire protection. Dolores Fire covers northern Montezuma County, including the first four miles of the Westfork.<\/p>\n
But the 85 homes and cabins, including the Dunton Resort, in the Dolores County portion of the Westfork are not within a fire district due to geographic isolation.<\/p>\n
Westfork residents are working to form a volunteer fire district and build a substation under Colorado\u2019s Volunteer Fire Department Organization Act.<\/p>\n
Dolores County has reported they would donate land for a Westfork fire station at Fish Creek. The Dunton resort is also partnering with local residents to provide neighborhood fire services for the area.<\/p>\n
In the past, Dolores Fire has responded to Westfork emergencies beyond its service boundary. But recently the district said they can\u2019t afford to because of a limited budget and paramount responsibility to serve their own district taxpayers.<\/p>\n
Dolores Fire Protection District is completely run by a crew of 30 trained volunteers certified in life-saving skills and fire fighting. They operate on a yearly budget of $320,000.<\/p>\n
The district recently dropped the minimum age for volunteers from 21 to 18 to attract more recruits. Volunteers receive free training, and can gain valuable experience for a career in fire fighting and emergency services.<\/p>\n
For more information call (970) 882-4096.<\/p>\n