http://www.rwbfire.org//media/press_releases Press Releases en-us kscott@rwbfire.org Copyright 2012 2012-04-11T23:30:58+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/sprinkler_heads_extinguish_kitchen_fire/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/sprinkler_heads_extinguish_kitchen_fire/ At approximately 5:30 p.m. last evening, Red, White & Blue Fire District was called to a sprinkler activation at Kenosha Steakhouse, 301 S. Main St. in Breckenridge. While en route, they received further information that there had been an “explosion”. When crews arrived on scene, they heard the fire alarm sounding and observed that patrons and staff had safely evacuated the building. While crews entered the restaurant, the staff confirmed to fire command that everyone had evacuated. Approaching the kitchen, firefighters noticed two sprinkler heads had activated and there was no current fire condition present. They searched the whole building to ensure all occupants safely evacuated and then turned off the water to the sprinkler system, minimizing water damage to the restaurant. “Through information we received from the staff, as well as the results from our investigation, we believe the fire started in the kitchen and the cause was accidental,” said Deputy Chief Jay Nelson. Nelson explained that the fire appears to have started from a can of cooking spray that heated, expanded and then exploded, causing a flash fire that then activated the sprinkler system. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire. “We cannot underestimate the value of sprinklers,” he said. “The heat generated from the fire was enough to activate two sprinkler heads that extinguished the fire and left no structural damage to the building,” said Nelson. Red, White & Blue would like to remind community members not to leave flammable items on or near the stove. In this case, the highly flammable aerosol which pushed the spray out of the can ignited from the open flame from the stove, causing what is known as a “flash fire”, a sudden, intense fire. Two employees suffered injuries and were transported by personal vehicle to the local hospital for treatment. 2012-04-11T23:30:58+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/lake_dillon_and_red_white_blue_discuss_possible_merger/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/lake_dillon_and_red_white_blue_discuss_possible_merger/ Officials with Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue and Red, White & Blue Fire Rescue have begun preliminary discussions about consolidating the two Summit County fire departments into a single entity. Motivated by possible gains in efficiency, the Boards of Directors for the two fire districts want to further enhance the already close working relationships between firefighter crews, existing joint training, shared fleet-maintenance services and some select shared staff positions. “Both organizations recognize the potential benefits of consolidation, but it’s too early in the process to determine if all of the details can be hammered out to everyone’s satisfaction,” said Larry Gilliland, president of the Lake Dillon Fire Board of Directors. Task forces comprised of staff members and select members of the public have begun meeting to identify and resolve many of the issues that would need to be addressed for a merger – everything from organizational structure and staffing of fire stations to what to call the new entity. Initially, it is quite likely that a joint fire authority would be put into place under the umbrella of an intergovernmental agreement, while maintaining separate taxing districts. The ultimate goal, however, would be a single, new fire department whose formation would require approval by voters in both districts. Opportunities for public input and information exchanges will be announced in coming months, although public comments will be accepted throughout the process either by Steve Lipsher at Lake Dillon Fire, at (970) 262-5209 or slipsher@ldfr.org, or by Deputy Chief Jay Nelson at Red, White & Blue Fire at (970) 453-2474 or jnelson@rwbfire.org. “We have not presumed anything, and we realize that there is much work to be conducted before we can say that this is the right move. But we feel the time is right to entertain these discussions,” said Randy Griffin, president of the Red, White & Blue Board of Directors. Summit County’s third fire department, operated by the Copper Mountain Consolidated Metropolitan District, has been made aware of the discussions taking place but is not actively participating at this time. The three departments continue to work together seamlessly on major incidents and in efforts such as operating the High Country Training Center. Currently, Lake Dillon Fire has 58 employees and a $7.1 million budget, covering a response area of about 421 square miles, including the towns of Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne and unincorporated areas in the Lower Blue River Valley. Red, White & Blue, based in Breckenridge, has 55 employees and a $6.9 million budget for a response area of 130 square miles of the Upper Blue River Valley, roughly from Farmer’s Korner south to Hoosier Pass and including the Town of Blue River. 2011-12-21T21:01:30+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_extinguishes_chimney_fire-1/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_extinguishes_chimney_fire-1/ Breckenridge, CO-Shortly before 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, firefighters from Red, White & Blue and Lake Dillon Fire responded to a structure fire. When they arrived on scene at 84 Reliance Drive, they saw flames coming out of the roof near the chimney. The owner told firefighters that she had called 9-1-1 and everyone had evacuated. The fire was quickly extinguished with damage limited to the fireplace area and the roof. “This fire appears to have been caused by a separated chimney pipe,” said Deputy Chief Jay Nelson. “Luckily, the homeowners were home and noticed smoke drifting by the front window,” he said. The house had working smoke detectors at the time of the incident. Red, White & Blue wants to remind homeowners or renters to have their chimneys and fireplaces professionally inspected, especially during this time of year. 2011-12-05T02:18:50+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_sets_mill_for_long-range_planning/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_sets_mill_for_long-range_planning/ The Board of Directors of the Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District (“District”) voted unanimously last Tuesday to certify the District’s mill levy to 9.0 mills in light of the 17.6% decrease in the 2012 property assessment valuation as well as to establish a long term capital reserve. The District’s mill levy is currently at 8.5, and has been at that level since a voter-approved increase was passed in 2006. The ballot question gave the District the authority to increase the mill levy to a maximum of 9.0, in anticipation of future capital needs. The 0.5 mill will result in an approximate $4.00 increase per $100,000 of residential market value. “Red, White & Blue has a fiscally conservative budget and board,” said Board President Randy Griffin. “This 0.5 mill will be specifically dedicated to the long term capital reserve,” he said. The long term capital reserve has been established to allow the District Board to plan ahead for replacement of aging apparatus, back-up generators and outdated technology equipment. “The establishment of this long term capital reserve will allow us to maintain a general reserve fund consistent with the District’s fiscal policy and provide measures to purchase critical capital items for the next five years while limiting additional debt,” said Fire Chief Lori Miller. “Through the international accreditation process, a needs assessment and the strategic plan, we have been able to define what is needed for this fire district to maintain current service levels,” she said. “Notwithstanding the 17.6% decrease in property assessment valuation that resulted in a $1.3 million reduction, the District’s operating budget remains balanced without resorting to the use of the general operating reserve,” said Board President Randy Griffin. 2011-11-29T20:36:31+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_to_hold_annual_pinning_and_awards_ceremony/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_to_hold_annual_pinning_and_awards_ceremony/ The Red, White & Blue Fire District will honor their own this Saturday at a formal recognition ceremony to be held at Breckenridge Town Hall. Staff, board members and their families will gather to celebrate new hires, promotions, service time and special awards. Longevity awards for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25-years of service will be recognized as well. Staff members will also be acknowledged for their contributions to Red, White & Blue Fire District and the community through awards such as: Chief’s Leadership Award, Courage, Commitment, Caring Award, the Barrie Niebergall Peer Leadership Award, Firefighter of the Year Award, and Support Staff Member of the Year Award. “It’s important to this organization that our staff is reminded how valuable they are to us,” said Fire Chief Lori Miller. “We are very fortunate to have the employees we do, and they make meaningful contributions to this community every day,” she said. The ceremony will commence at 10:00 a.m. with the Red, White & Blue Fire District’s Honor Guard presenting the colors. The public is welcome to attend. 2011-09-29T21:48:18+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_2011_mda_fill_the_boot_fundraising_campaign_a_success/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_district_2011_mda_fill_the_boot_fundraising_campaign_a_success/ The Red, White & Blue Fire District (RWB) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local #4325 raised an amazing $8,631.26 this year for the MDA “Fill the Boot” campaign. This year’s total surpasses the 2010 amount by over $4,000 and exceeds the firefighters’ goal by $1,000. “The generosity of the residents and businesses of Breckenridge, as well as the visitors to Summit County never ceases to amaze me,” stated MDA coordinator for RWB, John Zeising. “Seeing a young child take her allowance for the week and donate it to an organization that helps other children and adults in need of medical research and support is just one of the many moments that struck our firefighters during the campaign” he added. “The Red, White & Blue Fire District is proud of our firefighters and MDA, but especially our community who helped us achieve and surpass our goals,” said Fire Chief Lori Miller. “To double our donations in these economic times is very humbling. All of the proceeds collected from “Fill the Boot” campaign stay in Colorado, and help make a difference for those the Muscular Dystrophy Association serves.” RWB and IAFF Local #4325 extends special thanks to local businesses: Harvest Catering, Subway, La Montana Linda and Giampietro’s, who donated lunches for RWB crews each day; City Market, who supported RWB collection efforts, and to Alpine Bank that assisted with the accounting of all funds collected. 2011-09-09T23:02:39+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/911_anniversary_to_be_honored_locally-public_encouraged_to_attend/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/911_anniversary_to_be_honored_locally-public_encouraged_to_attend/ On the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, local emergency agencies will honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. The High Country Training Center (HCTC) in Frisco will hold a dedication and remembrance at the training grounds, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. The public is invited to share in this remembrance. Special to this ceremony, will be a dedication to HCTC of a steel artifact from one of the World Trade Center towers. Donated by the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, the piece will be enshrined as a lasting reminder of that fateful day. “We invite the public to join us in remembering all of the emergency personnel, as well as civilians, who lost their lives that day,” said Red, White & Blue Fire Chief Lori Miller. “We can continue to honor their spirits by staying focused, working hand in hand with the public and training diligently,” she said. The public is asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. Flight for Life will fly over at 8:55 a.m., and the event will commence at 9:00 a.m. The remembrance will feature the National Anthem, speeches from local emergency and military personnel as well as an opportunity for the public to reflect. A reception will follow at the HCTC grounds immediately afterwards. The High Country Training Center is located at 225 Summit County Rd. 1003 (west of the Summit County Commons), in Frisco. For more information about the event, please contact: 970.668.4330. 2011-09-07T22:51:10+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/mesa_cortina_resident_saves_home_dogs_from_fire/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/mesa_cortina_resident_saves_home_dogs_from_fire/ The beeping of a neighbor’s smoke detector awoke Marcus Mathieu Mirazo from his slumber Tuesday afternoon, but his quick thinking and quick actions showed no signs of drowsiness. Mirazo, who works a night shift among his three jobs, was napping when the smoke detectors upstairs at the two-unit rental home at 041 King’s Court awoke him, and he went outside to investigate. It was on his second trip around the Mesa Cortina house that he saw smoke pouring from the upstairs eaves. He quickly hooked up a garden hose and started spraying the flames that had begun slipping out the cracking the kitchen window. Then, he hauled the hose up an external stairway, broke up a door window with a rock and hosed down the rolling flames that by that time had nearly engulfed the small kitchen. Then, Mirazo opened another door to the upstairs unit and called for the residents’ dogs, convincing one – a black Labrador Retriever named Deuce – to dart out through the billowing black smoke. “It was kind of scary, but I knew I had to do something, for the guys, for the dogs and for my home,” Mirazo said. Firefighters from Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue and Red, White & Blue Fire arrived after another neighbor called 9-1-1, but by then, Mirazo had almost singlehandedly extinguished the fire. Worried that one resident might have been home, firefighters conducted a hasty search, finding only the second dog, a German Shepherd mix named Cleo, cowering beneath a computer stand but otherwise all right. The damage was limited to the kitchen and estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. Fire officials believe it was caused by a pizza box left on an electric range. “It could have been so much worse,” said LDFR Deputy Chief Jeff Berino. “That whole place could have burned down. He saved thousands of dollars of damage. He did everything right.” Firefighters noted that the presence of working smoke detectors undoubtedly saved the building and possibly lives. Upstairs residents Peter Bullard, David Gross and Spencer Comfort all were at work when the fire broke out, and they offered praise and heartfelt appreciation for Mirazo’s quick work. “We didn’t know what to expect. I was expecting just a pile of sticks,” Gross said. “When I got home, “I asked (Mirazo): ‘How did they put the fire out?’ He said: ‘I used the hose.’ I was like, are you serious?” 2011-09-06T20:23:22+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/summit_wildfire_crews_dispatched_to_oklahoma/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/summit_wildfire_crews_dispatched_to_oklahoma/ The Lake Dillon and Red, White & Blue Fire Districts each have sent three-member wildfire crews to the Ferguson Fire in Oklahoma, one of several large fires burning in the Southwest. At the request of federal wildfire dispatchers, Lake Dillon Fire sent Lieutenant/Engine Boss Jonathan Bradley, Lt. Kevin Skaer and Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Lawrence in Wildland Engine 2, and Red, White & Blue Fire sent Captain/Engine Boss Derek Goossen, Firefighter Clint Maas and Firefighter Aaron Schlacter in Wildland Engine 609 to the blaze in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Comanche County of southwestern Oklahoma. Both apparatus are small, four-wheel-drive Type 6 engines capable of fighting fires in remote areas. The Ferguson blaze broke out Sept. 1 and is estimated at 34,938 acres, or about 55 square miles, and was about 30 percent contained as of Tuesday morning. Approximately 283 firefighters and apparatus including 31 engines and 3 helicopters were working the fire, which is burning in rugged, steep terrain. Major fires also are burning throughout Texas. “With our neighbors experiencing extreme drought, these wildfires are overwhelming local resources, and we are glad to help them in their time of need,” said Lake Dillon Fire Chief Dave Parmley. In other fire news, Lake Dillon Deputy Chief Jeff Berino worked as incident commander for the 187-acre Collard Green fire about 7 miles west of Gypsum at the mouth of Glenwood Canyon. Lightning ignited the fire on Saturday above Bair Ranch on Bureau of Land Management and private land. Assistant Chief Bruce Farrell also served as the field observer for that fire, which was contained on Sunday with the help of hotshot crews and air-tanker water drops. 2011-09-05T20:28:15+00:00 http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_districts_captain_amongst_the_elite/ http://www.rwbfire.org/index.php/media/press_releases/red_white_blue_fire_districts_captain_amongst_the_elite/ Red, White & Blue Fire District Captain Ryan Roberts was recognized last week for achieving “Fire Officer” designation at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Atlanta. In a packed room of approximately 350 fire chiefs from around the world, Captain Roberts and four other officers from Colorado were praised by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) for their dedication to their profession and the people they serve. CPSE is a non-profit organization that helps local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities. “We are extremely proud of Captain Roberts,” said Fire Chief Lori Miller. “He has achieved the ‘gold standard’ for fire officers, demonstrating his commitment to continued career improvement and development,” she said. Captain Roberts is one of 68 Fire Officer Designees nationwide, with only five in Colorado. The other four designees are from Elizabeth, West Metro, Eagle River and Castle Rock Fire Districts. Originally from Iowa, Captain Roberts has been in the fire service most of his life and follows a long family tradition. He has been with Red, White & Blue Fire DIstrict for 10 years and lives in Breckenridge with his wife, Kelsey and young daughter. 2011-09-01T19:56:20+00:00