The Dolores Fire Protection District recently upgraded its fleet.
The district purchased a new E1 pumper truck for $480,000. A grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs covered half the cost.
Also a new Braun Northwest ambulance was purchased for $179,000. A grant from EMS Providers covered half the cost.
“We’ve been saving for a few years for these purchases,” said Dolores Fire Chief Mike Zion.
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.
“When emergency vehicles get to that age, they need to be replaced,” Zion said.
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.
Much of the Westfork neighborhood is in a kind of no-man’s land for fire protection. Dolores Fire covers northern Montezuma County, including the first four miles of the Westfork.
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.
Westfork residents are working to form a volunteer fire district and build a substation under Colorado’s Volunteer Fire Department Organization Act.
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.
In the past, Dolores Fire has responded to Westfork emergencies beyond its service boundary. But recently the district said they can’t afford to because of a limited budget and paramount responsibility to serve their own district taxpayers.
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.
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.
For more information call (970) 882-4096.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com