7F0022C273015DDB8725888C005FDB2A Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2022A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGESINTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEEDate Jul 27, 2022 Location Old Supreme Court Volunteer Firefighter Challenges - Committee Discussion Only 11:27:04 AM Chief Collin Isenhart, Big Elk Volunteer Fire Department, presented regarding volunteer fire departments and explained that they are funded through donations and grants. The presentation may be accessed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/volunteer_ff_challenges_wfmrc.pdf. He discussed the challenges with applying for grants, the lack of resources for recruitment or retention, and difficulty certifying volunteer firefighters. Chief Isenhart responded to questions regarding forming a fire protection district and a 2022 volunteer firefighter program. Senator Coram discussed a committee letter to the Department of Public Safety. 11:42:10 AM Chief David Wolf, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, explained the area that the district serves and the history of fires in the areas. He discsussed the challenges the district faces, including increased number of response calls, the increased cost of living in the area, and keeping current with volunteer standards. Chief Wolf requested the state incentive volunteer firefighting, remove barriers to accessing funding, and increase resources for fire prevention across the state. 11:54:12 AM Chief Brad White, Grand Fire Protection District (GFPD), described the GFPD area and staff, and provided data on number of departments, firefighters, and equipment in the state. He discussed the challenges that fire departments reported across the state, including number of volunteers, call volume, and engine and equipment needs. Chief White discussed the status of grant funding from the Department of Public Safety. 12:05:35 PM Committee members commented on the fire department presentations. The presenters responded to committee questions.
