New communication tower site
The Inter-Canyon Fire Department likely has found a new home for its communications tower.
District officials have found a new site, so the district won’t be building the tower in Hilldale Pines, Chief Skip Shirlaw said at the Feb. 8 fire board meeting. He promised Hilldale Pines residents who attended the meeting that the department heard their concerns about a potential tower in their neighborhood, which is why this site is at the top of the list.
This spot was not in consideration because of other locations, he said.
Shirlaw declined to say where the site was because the department was still negotiating a rental price with the owners, but he said it was a commercial tower site with only the property owner’s home nearby. He added that the department likely would erect a separate 40-foot tower at the location.
The fire board still needs to vote on where the communication equipment will be placed and the costs involved.
Neighbors of Inter-Canyon’s Station 5 in Hilldale Pines were concerned a proposed 80-foot tower at the station would cause health impacts of radio frequency exposure; fire risk if lightning struck the tower; visual impacts since the tower would be nearly 40 feet above nearby trees; issues if the tower fell over because of strong winds; and decreasing home values.
“We had a good meeting with owners of the tower property last week,” Shirlaw said. “It was very favorable, and they are happy to have us there.”
Community paramedicine program starts
Inter-Canyon’s community paramedicine program has officially started.
The goal of the program is to help fulfill smaller medical needs such as checking blood pressure, giving EKGs and taking blood samples so the person — usually a senior citizen — doesn’t need a doctor visit or an ambulance. Community paramedics look for clues and ask questions to make sure the senior is healthy.
Battalion Chief Dan Hatlestad said he expected the department to get requests from the community, doctors and hospitals to help residents in the district. To learn more, call Inter-Canyon at 303-697-4413.
Sign up for chipping starting Feb. 20
Elk Creek and Inter-Canyon fire departments will open their chipping program registrations on Feb. 20 for those living in the fire districts.
Last year, the chipping crews for the two departments worked at 480 address locations, and all of those people signed up on the first day.
This year, residents living in areas with community ambassadors will get the first shot at signing up. If you aren’t sure if you have a community ambassador, check Community Ambassador Page on the Wildland tab of either fire district’s website to find your planning unit and who represents you.
Fifteen of the 46 neighborhoods still need community ambassadors. If you are interested, contact Capt. John Mandl at Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, jmandl@icfpd.net.
No new fire station for now
Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District is holding off on building a new fire station on U.S. 285 until it learns whether it will consolidate with Elk Creek and North Fork fire departments.
Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw said if the departments move forward with consolidation and voters approve it in November, decisions on the scope and size of the station should be decided by the new large department.
If consolidation doesn’t take place, Inter-Canyon will continue with its original plan to build a new station where its current Station 3 is located at a cost of about $5 million.