Editor’s note:Because part of the Evergreen Fire Protection District lies in Clear Creek County, both sides of the current controversy over construction of a fire training building in Bergen Park have asked that opinions on the issue, and on the current effort to recall the district’s board members, appear in the Courant.
Those opposed to training building
in Bergen Park are selfish, misguided
Editor:
Things have certainly changed a lot from the Evergreen I knew and grew up in since 1946. We knew and supported our neighbors and helped them in their efforts to make our community a better and safer place to live. I can remember when Evergreen had no organized or trained fire department and the only equipment available was a 1-ton truck, hauling about 200 gallons of water and 200 feet of hose. The truck was owned by a private security organization known as the Mountain Protective Association and operated by volunteers.
As a boy, in the summer of 1948, I remember helping to put out a grass fire at a home several miles up Upper Bear Creek Road — that was the inspiration for the formation of the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department. A group of local businessmen and residents took the lead and formed the volunteer department and later the Evergreen Fire Protection District. After the formation of the district, money for support could be raised through real estate taxes.
During the late ’40s and ’50s when funding was tight or nonexistent, community volunteers spent countless hours converting trucks into firefighting vehicles. Money was raised through various fund-raisers, including bake sales on Main Street and voluntary donations. Many small-business owners (later I was one) answered the fire siren at no small cost to our businesses, to do what had to be done immediately to protect our homes and community. Then, as is still the case, many a night’s sleep was lost working a fire. The next day we still had to go to work to keep our businesses open. Then, as now, after fighting a fire for hours, additional hours are required to refuel equipment, refill water tanks, wash trucks, repack hose and clean tools to be prepared for the next emergency.
In consideration of the sacrifices and countless risks to life and limb, innumerable volunteer hours are put in by members of our fine fire department. I find it incomprehensible that some, mostly newcomers (who reside in homes built after Station 2, which always included an active training area, and live approximately 600 feet or more away) are so selfish as to blatantly refuse to make even the smallest sacrifices, to tolerate seeing the top of a training building, and some noise or lights emitting occasionally from training activities. I know that the fire department would not intentionally release any smoke or air pollution that would be a significant health hazard. The proposed emissions have been verified as safe by the Jefferson County health department and other agencies.
Be thankful that our volunteer department — one of the best in Colorado — volunteers the time and effort to improve training to offer superior protection for ourselves, our homes and properties. Our department is our only line of defense against total destruction of our community, as has been made clearly evident by recent disasters in our state. There is no doubt that the 80-plus volunteers living throughout our large district offer much quicker and better response than a paid department ever could, even at an additional cost to taxpayers of millions of dollars per year. Kudos to our district board for the stand they have taken in considering the district and community as a whole instead of the unproven complaints and selfish concerns of a few. The board has gone far and above in their efforts to mitigate the real or imagined concerns regarding the training facility, and they deserve our support.
Bill Sandifer
retired captain (20 years service)
Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department
Burn-building plans are spreading
a fire of agitation through Evergreen
To Fire Chief Mike Weege:
We received your letter that addresses the highly contested construction of an active chemical and fire training facility next to a school and a residential neighborhood.
Now that you and the Evergreen Fire Protection District have pleaded your case before Evergreen, expect blowback from residents who have remained silent.
The drama is conspiracy against the entire community, and the district has insulated itself from the community under the cover of job safety. Your defiant stand against neighborhoods impacted by your decision has spread a fire of agitation throughout Evergreen.
Fire protection is a serious business, but equally serious is a danger that now threatens the district’s credibility on matters of public policy and capital spending. You have escalated public criticism of your leadership, and you have damaged your public image.
I daresay there is not a homeowner in Evergreen that would not protest this facility in their backyard. When you fail to seriously account for the community’s opinion, then the community must take account of your motivations.
EFPD fire stations are located on cookie-cutter plots hedged against schools, neighborhoods and retail shopping. Evergreen does not have industrial or light manufacturing zones to afford you a proper, spacious facility for industrial uses. Hence, that is why you go down the mountain to train. And, finding alternative sites in Evergreen is not a solution because it will raise the same argument with different people.
Your public relations are a disaster, and you have done a terrible disservice to yourselves and to Evergreen. You need reminding that we pay you to protect us; we do not pay you to protect yourself from us.
If and when you petition the public again, just remember how much political capital and financial capital you gobbled up in this go around.
George Lung
Evergreen