Projects and Programs

            Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP):

Grand Lake Fire Protection District (GLFPD) has obtained a grant from the Bureau of Land Management which allows the fire district to contract with PMC Wildland Fire, LLC, (PMC) to update our existing Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The CWPP is a written plan developed for a specific community with input from multiple agencies and the public. It offers a positive, solution-oriented environment that addresses challenges such as local firefighting capabilities, the need for defensible space around homes and subdivisions, and where and how to prioritize land management on both federal and non-federal lands.



More than 20 residents, county personnel and agency managers attended the public held Tuesday, January 24 at the Grand Lake Fire Station. Providing information and support for the CWPP revision were: Colorado State Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; US Forest Service; National Park Service; Town of Grand Lake; Grand County Natural Resources; Mountain Parks Electric; Grand County Office of Emergency Management; and the Grand County Sheriff.

Residents worked with Grand Lake Fire Chief Mike Long and PMC Wildland Fire contractor, Paul Mintier, to identify areas and values of concern that could be negatively impacted by wildfire. Maps displaying the boundary for the planning area were used to show proposed locations for hazardous fuel reduction projects, evacuation routes, infrastructure sites and corridors and other important sites. Comments from participants were recorded and will be used for consideration in revising the CWPP.



“Community input is vital to the planning process,” said Paul Mintier, “It takes everyone working together to produce the most effective CWPP possible.” Future work to be done on the CWPP will be wildland risk assessments, compiling fire occurrence and behavior data, developing evacuation plans, and providing recommendations to homeowners on defensible space and understanding the fire environment that surrounds them. In June, Chief Long will roll out the Ready Set Go program with the finalized CWPP.


Residents are encouraged to participate in the planning process. For more information and to provide input the Community Wildfire Protection Plan email Paul Mintier at paul.mintier@gmail.com. Residents are also welcome to stop by the fire station in Grand Lake to review the maps, make comments and obtain related wildfire preparedness materials.

wildfire related websites:

 

*

Mapping:  Through BLM and RMNP grant funding, GLFPD is in the process of upgrading our maps to include GIS information.  The end result will allow us to find addresses faster, coordinate incoming resources and better protect our community.

*


Wildfire Mitigation:  By offering free defensible space site surveys and public education, GLFPD has accepted the responsibility to facilitate the mitigation of our homes and property.  This issue has become a priority with the extensive mountain pine beetle infestation within our district boundaries.

*


Countywide Incident Management Team:  Fire Chief Mike Long is coordinating a working group to explore the opportunity to create a county wide, multi hazard incident management team to more effectively deal with larger emergency responses.  Examples might include domestic terrorism, wildland interface fires or hazardous materials spills.

*


Child Injury Prevention Programs:  Through a FEMA grant we will be providing bicycle helmets to every elementary school age child in our fire district in the Spring of 2005.  Combined with this giveaway program will be a bicycle safety program coordinated through the school.

*


Fire Prevention Program:  Each October in coordination with National Fire Prevention Week, GLFPD hosts a community open house and BBQ.  Most emergency response agencies are represented with fire safety messages.  In 2004, nearly 250 folks attended and were awarded with grant purchased fire extinguishers or smoke detectors.

*


Wildland Deployment Program:  In 2004 GLFPD made a Type 6 wildland engine available on the federal callout program to assist other districts.  Staffed by Volunteers or Paid firefighters, this opportunity provides valuable experience to the firefighters along with a revenue source for the fire district.

*


Public Education Program:  In 2004 GLFPD committed to monthly trainings or information meetings for our community.  Free CPR and First Aid classes are held frequently and informational meetings regarding the mountain pine beetle and creating defensible space were held in 2004.  2005’s schedule will be available on this site at a later date.

*


Occupancy Preplans:  GLFPD has identified over 80 commercial or assembly type occupancies within our response area.  We are creating preplans for our use in the event of an emergency response to that location.  Information gathered for use by the incident commander include a plot plan sketch of the property showing access and egress points, water supply, utility shut offs, building construction, emergency contacts and hazards to firefighters.

*


Grants:  GLFPD was very successful in 2004 with Grant awards from both state and federal agencies.  Grant monies were used to purchase wildland firefighting equipment and public education giveaways.  Additionally, a mitigation sawyer crew was employed for the summer to help create shaded fuel breaks in the ColumbineLakesarea and perform mitigation work on several demonstration houses around the district.  Finally, grant monies were acquired to help us with the mapping project mentioned previously.

*


Interagency Cooperation:  GLFPD has partnered with several agencies to provide our community with the best possible service.  Some of our partners include:  
       

Rocky Mountain National Park


Colorado State Forest Service


United States Forest Service


Grand County Sheriff

Grand County Search and Rescue

Grand County EMS

Grand County Office of Natural Resources

Town of Grand Lake

Granby Fire District