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PACKET Public Safety 2000-01-06
r: TOWN OF ESTES PARK PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE January 6, 2000 8:00 A.M. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Contract with EVVA, Inc. (Estes Valley Victim Advocates, Inc.) 2. Customer Surveys 3. 1999 Training of Sworn Personnel FIRE DEPARTMENT No Reports REPORTS No Reports * The committee reserves the right to consider other appropriate business not available at the time the agenda was prepared. CONTRACT FOR SERVICES TOWN OF ESTES PARK THIS CONTRACT, dated this day of , 2000, is by and between the TOWN OF ESTES PARK, STATE OF COLORADO, 170 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park, CO, a body politic and corporate (the "Town"), and ESTES VALLEY VICTIM ADVOCATES, INC. ("Contractor"). RECITALS WHEREAS, the Town plans to continue a project entitled, "ESTES VALLEY VICTIM ADVOCATES, INC.", and WHEREAS, the Town desires to retain the services of the Contractor to assist it in studies relative thereto aiid the planning and designing thereof as set forth in this agreement. AGREEMENT NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration ofthe covenants and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable considerations, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Town and the Contractor agree as follows: 1. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: the "Contract Documents" shall consist ofthe following: a. This Contract; b. The Scope of Services, attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; All of which are incorporated by reference as though set forth in full herein, whether or not attached hereto, and shall form an integral part of this contract. If there is any conflict between this Contract and the other Contract Documents, this Contract shall control. 2. THE WORK: The Contractor shall furnish the labor, equipment, materials and supervision necessary for or incident to the complete and timely performance of everything described or reasonably implied from the Contract Documents (the "Work") except as provided for herein. 3. INSPECTION: The Town reserves the right to monitor and evaluate the progress and performance of the Contractor to ensure that the terms of this agreement are being satisfactorily met in accordance with the Town and other applicable monitoring and evaluation criteria and standards. Contractor shall cooperate with Town relating to such monitoring and evaluation. 1 4. PAYMENT: Upon satisfactory completion of the Work, and provided that Contractor is not in default of the Contract, the Town shall pay the Contractor the firm fixed price of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/00 ($5,000) in quarterly fund distribution on or about January 2000, April 2000, July 2000 and October 2000, in equal increment payments of $1,250. 5. TERMINATION: The Town reserves the right to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, with or without cause upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Contractor. In the event of termination, the Contractor shall incur no additional expenses and shall perform no further services for the Town under this Contract as of the date of receipt of the notice of termination unless otherwise specified by the Town. The Town shall pay the Contractor for all services satisfactorily performed prior to receipt of the notice of termination and for other services required by the Town to be completed prior to termination and satisfactorily performed. In the event of termination for cause, the Contractor shall be liable for any and all damages, including without limitations, the cost of procuring similar supplies or services and all other costs and expenses incurred by the Town because of such failure. 6. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS, PAYMENT OF TAXES AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: In performing the Work, the Contractor acts as an independent contractor and is not acting as an agent, servant or employee of the Town. The Contractor is solelv responsible for necessarv and adequate worker's compensation insurance and shall be responsible for withholding and paying all federal and state taxes. The Contractor and its employees are not entitled to unemployment insurance benefits unless unemployment comvensation coverage is provided bv the Contractor or an entitv other than the Town. The Contractor understands and agrees that it is an independent contractor under the terms and conditions of this Agreement. As such. the Contractor is not entitled to employment or insurance benefits through the Town. Also, the Contractor understands and agrees that it is solelv responsible for all Federal and State income tax, FICA taxes and unemployment insurance taxes. The Contractor also understands and agrees that it is responsible for workers' compensation coverage and taxes for itself and anv employee. 7. INDEMNIFICATION: The Contractor hereby agrees to and does indemnify, defend, save and hold the Town harmless from any and all liability, loss, costs, charges, penalties, obligations, expenses, attorney' s fees, litigation, judgments, damages, claims and demands of any kind whatsoever in connection with, 2 arising out of or by any reason of any violation of the contract or of any law, ordinance or regulation by the Contractor, his agents, employees, servants, subcontractors, business invitees; or by reason of any injury or damage however occurring to any person or persons whomever (including the Contractor, his agents, employees, servants, subcontractors, or business invitees) or to property of any kind whatsoever and to whomever belonging (including the Contractor, his agents, employees, servants, subcontractors or business invitees); or from any cause or causes whatsoever arising out of the performance of services hereunder. 8. INSURANCE REOUIREMENTS: a. The Contractor and its subcontractors shall purchase and maintain such insurance in a company or companies licensed to do business in the State of Colorado as will protect them from claims which may arise out of or result from operations under the Contract, whether such operations be by themselves or by any Subcontractor or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them, or by anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. The insurance required by this Contract is set forth below: b. Comorehensive General Liability: The Contractor shall procure and keep in force during the duration of this contract a policy of Comprehensive General Liability insurance insuring the Contractor and naming the Town as an additional insured against any liability for personal injury, bodily injury, or death arising out of the performance of services hereunder and against liability for property damage with a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000. The limits of said insurance shall not be a limit to the liability of the Contractor hereunder. c. Comprehensive Automobile Liability: The Contractor shall procure and keep in force during the duration of this contract a policy of Comprehensive Automobile Liability insurance, insuring the Contractor and naming the Town as an additional insured against any liability for personal injury, bodily injury, or death arising from the use of motor vehicles and shall cover operations on or off the site of all vehicles controlled by the Contractor, whether they are owned, non-owned, or hired, with a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000. The limits of said insurance shall not, however, be a limit to the liability of Contractor hereunder. d. Other Insurance: The Contractor shall procure and keep in force during the term ofthis Contract, Worker's Compensation and such other insurance as may be required by any applicable law, ordinance or governmental regulation. If the Contractor is not required to carry Worker's Compensation, the Artist may sign a waiver to this effect. e. Terms of Insurance: Insurance required shall be with companies qualified to do business in the State of Colorado with a general policy holder's financial rating of not less than that of "A" as set forth in the most current edition of "Best's Insurance Reports", and may provide for deductible amounts as the Contractor may deem to be reasonable for completion of the Work, but in no case greater than $20,000. The Contractor shall not do nor permit to be done anything which shall invalidate the insurance polices referred to in this section, and the Contractor shall immediately advise 3 the Town in writing if a reduction in coverage or other modification of the insurance coverage occurs. Insurance policies shall be for the mutual and joint benefit and protection of the Contractor and the Town. Such policies shall be written as primary policies not contributing to and not in excess of coverage which the Town must carry. f. Proof of Insurance: Prior to the commencement of the Work, the Contractor shall furnish to the Town certificates of insurance policies evidencing the required coverage. Such certificates shall provide that cancellation ofthe policies in such insurance shall not be effective until thirty (30) days after written notice to the Town. The Contractor shall identify whether the type of coverage is "occurrence" or "claims " made . If the type o f coverage is "claims made" which at renewal, Contractor changes to "occurrence",Contractor shall carry a six-month tail. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of these insurance requirements in all subcontracts. Furthermore, the Town will hold the Contractor responsible in the event the subcontractor fails to have adequate insurance. g. The Town reserves the right to approve variations in the above requirements upon request ofthe Contractor, in the Town's sole discretion. 9. AMENDMENT: a. This Contract contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and, except as provided, this Contract may not be modified or amended except by written agreement ofthe parties. b. The Town reserves the right to omit any of the tasks identified in the Scope of Services upon written notice to the Contractor. 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS: Governing Law and Venue: This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado and venue shall be in the County ofLarimer, State of Colorado. Assignability: This Contract is voidable by the Town if assigned by the Contractor without the prior written consent ofthe Town. Survival Clause: The indemnification provision of this Contract shall survive the completion of the Work and the termination ofthis Contract. Compliance with the Laws: The Contractor shall observe and comply with all applicable laws, includihg but not limited to federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules or ordinances that effect those employed or engaged by it, the materials or equipment used for the conduct of the Work, and shall procure any and all necessary approvals, licenses and permits, all at its own expense. 4 Severability: If any provision in this Contract shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any other part or provision hereof. Renewal: This contract is subject to renewal annually upon review and agreement of the Contractor and the Town. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract. ATTEST: TOWN OF ESTES PARK (SEAL) STATE OF COLORADO BY: BY: Gregg Filsinger RandolfRepola APPROVED AS TO FORM: DATE: BY: Town Attorney ATTEST: (SEAL) ESTES VALLEY VICTIM ADVOCATES, INC. BY: BY: Secretary DATE: DATE: 5 STATE OF COLORADO ) SS. COUNTY OF LARIMER ) Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 2000 by Witness my hand and official seal. My Commission expires: Notary Public STATE OF COLORADO ) ) SS. COUNTY OF LARIMER ) Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 2000, by Witness my hand and official seal. My Commission expires: Notary Public 6 EXHIBIT A SCOPE OF SERVICES 1. Term of Service: The term of this agreement shall be from January 01, 2000, through December 31, 2000, unless earlier termination pursuant to the Contract. This Contract shall be renewed and/or modified as necessary before the beginning of a new grant term, and prior to the termination date of the Contract. 2. Remuneration for Services: The Town shall pay Contractor the amount of $5,000 for immediate victim assistance as set forth in paragraph three ("Services Provided") herein. Providing services to victims of crime ($4,000) and crisis intervention ($1,000) in non-criminal incidents. The Town's obligation to Contractor shall not exceed a total of $5,000 for the entire term of this Contract. The Town shall also provide "in kind" contributions such as temporary use of a telephone and/or office while in the service of victims at the Police Department. The Town will also continue to provide pagers for the advocates not to exceed the total cost of $35 per month. 3. Services Provided: Contractor shall provide Representatives to respond by phone or in person for immediate crisis intervention and counseling. Contractor shall provide twenty-four (24) hour phone referral services and/or other assistance to victims of all crimes to which victim's rights attach according to the laws of the State of Colorado. This is a broadening of the services provided by Contractor beyond the basic services of counseling and referral for sexual assault and domestic violence victims for whom Contractor receives no specific remuneration from the Town other than "in kind" contributions. 4. "ADA" INDEMNIFICATION: By accepting referrals from the Town to Estes Valley Victim Advocates, Inc., Contractor hereby agrees to fully comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). Contractor agrees to be fully responsible and liable for making counseling and support programs available for use by disabled participants. 7 Contractor agrees to and does indemnify and hold the Town and its agents and employees harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, injuries, costs and expenses, including attorney's fees relating to or arising out of Contractor's failure to comply with the ADA. 5. POLICE RECORDS RELEASES: By accepting copies of official and confidential Police Reports, Contractor agrees to not release these reports, or any information contained therein, to anyone except its own agents/representatives who are acting in the capacity of providing the aforementioned services to the Town. Contractor assumes full responsibility for any and all breaches of confidentiality or security of records; and agrees to and does indemnify the Town for any and all liability, loss, damage, costs, expenses and attorney's fees resulting from said breach by Contractor, its agents, servants, and employees. 6. BI-ANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS: Contractor shall provide the Town with bi-annual reports on the type and total number of crimes responded to through the Project. These statistics shall include whether the victim was initially contacted at the time the crime occurred, noting if response was either in person, at the scene, or by phone at the scene. If initial victim contact transpires at a later time, the statistics shall indicate whether the victim was contacted in person, by phone, or by mail. Contractor shall provide the Town with bi-annual reports and adequate documentation referencing any paid positions within their organization maintained in whole or in part by grant monies obtained by the Town. Depending upon the term and conditions of the grant, Contractor shall also provide the Town with the total final statistics that, in turn will be submitted to the grantor for any required reporting period. 8 ESTES PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEYS 4th QUARTER - 1999 SURVEY QUESTIONS AVERAGE- AVERAGE- PATROL SUPPORT SVCES Did the employee behave in a professional 4.6 4.8 manner? Was the employee helpful? 4.7 4.8 Was the employee knowledgeable? 4.6 4.9 Did the employee show concern for your 4.6 4.8 situation? Did the employee's actions assist you in 4.6 4.9 resolving the problem? Overall, how would you rate your contact with 4.6 4.8 our department? Was your request handled in a timely manner? 4.5 4.8 5 - Outstanding 4 - Commendable 3 - Effective 2 - Needs Improvement 1 - Unsatisfactory 4, 4. 1 .TOWN OF ESTES PARK Estes Park Police Department b Y £44 4.9 POLICE DEPARTMENT Nature of Survey - Customer Service Skills 1,%42,0 66(*WAS#3#E~n.Wae,<bil :s¢~-gr- -»2goe7<gfi94':~ . It is our mission to provide quality public safety and emergency services within our ·+6 #2*0$1-5~-: : -··~·.UNk 0'18412It,]4&. -4 -ki. community. Your input is important to us. Would you please take a moment to 5.9,4214< .AS~ 0-€.'1,1.4.jll:kidS). complete the information requested, then detach and return the form to us at your ..,gl .»=Jr ,-24% . earliest convenience. Thank you. Date: Incident Type: Incident No.: Employee: Ratings: O - Outstanding C - Commendable E - Effective N - Needs Improvement U - Unsatisfactory Did the employee behave in a professional manner? Did the employee's actions assist you in resolving the problem? Was the employee helpful? Overall, how would you rate your contact with our Department? Was the employee knowledgeable? Was your request handled in a timely manner? Did the employee show concern for your situation? Additional Comments: Optional Information: Name: Phone Number: I, , have been assigned to investigate the crime or incident that you have reported to the Estes Park Police Department. Based on the investigation the status of your case is presently ~»~gravt?32~,~*,0 -- /·42·Ar·hinajwkw- - - ~· .·- -' JZ'1-2*k--9~k y>44«ifi33***b,ursuing 19 91..iINACTIVE: Casih@41)endinggfurther leads 3- 1441526- .~1 R 513PVE]14,04€ is closed ,.e 1,0.k... Please feel free to contact liielf.6("8161~&'&*4ue:4214~ild~t~6,nal information about this case. My phone number is 970-586-4364 Ateniton --$<pe ·- A .-Myif®frvisor iS · i! 1. 0,£,r: i.; 1 . at extension .:.4 -'151 .\=.1.4*2.7.; .gla. 27 You may also wish to consult th*#St,43.,~,lidyNietimr*diiocates at 970-586-4000 for help or community resources regarding yeaifiA€idaiI<F«ty> 9*8244*45·?-551.i·,6:. 1 The report number assigned to your case'is....:.4 . Thank you for your continuing assistance. Sincerely, Training - 1999 Sworn Personnel Arrest Control 156 Constitutional Law 17 Firearms Training 292 Supervision/Management 527 Emergency/I,C.S. 88 CPR 90 Evidence Collection/Investigation 114 FTO 960 FTO - Trainer 120 Policy/Procedure 46 Clandestine Labs 14 Mobile Field Force 180 DUI-HGN 16 Bio-hazards Training 14 Gang Training 24 School Violence 16 Evaluations 24 Animal Control 24 Public Information Training 24 PPCT Instructor Recertification 16 D.A.R.E. 80 Bicycle Patrol Certification 40 Physical Testing 16 TOTAL: 2898 hours TOWN OF ESTES PARK ~'~~~ PULBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE DECEMBER 2, 1999 8:00 A.M. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Remodel Bid 2. Policy Revision, Section 11.2, "Bullet Resistant Vests" 3. Personnel Update - Telecommunicator - Sworn Personnel FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Firemen's Pension Resolution 2. Larimer County Wildfire Website: www.co.larimer.co.us/wildfire/ 3. Update on Mansaver Bar 4. Annual Pump Tests 5. Correspondence REPORTS No Reports • The committee reserves the right to consider other appropriate business not available at the time the agenda was prepared 00 ! 4 F TOWN OF ESTES PARK I ;Mys- ip 4 Police Department - /»fet /~-3"Ge.,~4219-.1 9.39,8,4 17> 1/N\, k-J *:r-VE.~,4,-1*tt &- 497 <423 51>~fetibb~fi3$#fi4*L. -=W}Af ritie€~+791- 93***%41)41 2«01 31 MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable Mayor Dekker and Town Trustees FROM: Deputy Chief Filsingg~ind Facilities Manager Sievers ~ DATE: December 7, 1999 SUBJECT: POLICE DEPARTMENT REMODEL BACKGROUND: On June 3, 1999 the Public Safety Committee approved staff to bid out the Remodel Construction Project for the Police Department. Three Contractors were contacted and we received only one response to our requests to bid the project. Contractor Ray Duggan did respond and reviewed the remodel project with us. It was the Mr. Duggans opinion that utilizing a design/build method he could complete the majority of our project within the funds allocated for this project in the 1999 and 2000 budgets. Mr. Duggan constructed the new Rodeo Grounds restrooms for the Town of Estes Park utilizing the design/build method and completed the project in full within budget. BUDGET/COST: 1. The 1999 budget contains $30,000 for remodeling, an additional $5,000 for improvements to the Secretaries area and another $5,000 for air conditioning. 2. The 2000 budget contains $45,000 for a continuation of the same remodel project. 3. Total Budget-$85,000 RECOMMENDATION: We request to combine these two budgets for one project that begins this year and continues into the year 2000. We request authorization to initiate this project utilizing the design/build method. Mr. Duggan is willing to undertake this multi-phased construction project to meet most, if not all of our needs utilizing the available budgeted funds. Staff therefore requests approval to begin the construction/remodel of the Police Department with Ray Duggan as the Contractor. (9701 586-4465 • RO. BOX 1287 • ESTES PARK, CO 80517 • FAX (970) 586-4496 ESTES PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY ** SUBJECT DATE ISSUED Bullet Resistant Vests 12/06/99 PROCEDURE By: Chief Repola REFERENCE Review Date RULE Uniforms 12/06/2001 Standard Reference INDEX 11.2 11.2 Bullet Resistant Vests ~ A. A bullet resistant vest will be supplied to each officer at the cost of the Department. They will be manufactured of Kevlar, nylon cloth or any combination thereof as technology and the industry standards change. AA- · B. Bullet resistant vests are the property of the Police Department and will remain with the Department when the wearer's employment ends unless other arrangements are made to purchase the same from the Town. U C. Wearing ofthe ballistic vest is mandatory whenever an officer is scheduled to work a patrol shift or as directed by a supervisor. D. All officers are cautioned that they will potentially face a loss ofup to 50% of workmen's compensation benefits if injury results from an officer not wearing a bullet resistant vest. This is pursuant to C.R.S. 8-42-112(1) (a) which states: 1. The compensation provided for in Articles 40 to 47 ofthis title shall be reduced fifty percent: a. Where injury is caused by the willful failure of the employee to use safety devices provided by the employer. E. If an officer not assigned to a uniformed patrol shift opts to not wear a bullet resistant vest during his/her tour of duty, the officer's bullet resistant vest shall be kept in the officer's assigned police vehicle/office throughout the tour of duty and positioned for quick access. RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, Section 31-30-1132, C.R.S., provides that the Board of Trustees of the Town may by resolution determine that the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department is in need of additional Volunteer Firefighters; and WHEREAS, if such need exists, retired Volunteer Fire Department members shall become eligible to serve as an active volunteer firefighter of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has detennined that such a need does exist for additional Volunteer Firefighters. NOW, THEREFORE, BE n RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Parks Colorado: 1. There is a need within the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department for additional Volunteer Firefighters. 2. Any retired Volunteer Fire Department member shall be eligible to serve as an active Volunteer Firefighter of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department. 3. Any retired Volunteer Fire Department member who wishes to return to service as an active Volunteer Firefighter shall meet all the requirements of the Constitution, By-laws and rules and regulations of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department. 4. Any retired Volunteer Firefighter who returns to service as an active Volunteer Firefighter shall continue to receive all pension benefits during the period of time in which the Firefighter is an active Volunteer Firefighter of the Department. However, during the period the Volunteer Firefighter is receiving a pension and is acting as an active Volunteer Firefighter, the Firefighter shall not receive service credit for purpose ofincreasing such pension. Mayor Town Clerk Ab Larimer County Colorado Htome S.num Doartmri,b I #<14 Hot Topic, H.Ap | S«ch Is Wildfire Really a Problem in Larimer County? - Is Wildfire Really a Problem in Larimer County? How Hazardous is Larimer County? Larimer County has been ranked by a recent study as the most hazardous county in Colorado with respect to wildfire hazards. An earlier report ranked Larimer County second. Both studies indicate the potential of wildfire to bum structures and threaten lives in the County is high and will only continue to grow as more and more people move to the mountains. :*2433?101:.: 22.,44.byl.4.to: k~..'62:51:.:<:13% :~,2 2 i*93%444.5-3 2. : ·.<:·45.4.1~1· # EF.:2: ~ :~ : ·m·,Ur·· ~~ -4·2 t -4·€ J.5 i · I ff··~.:·1. .. - 2 "4:,-0.:·.:·U*·24··:.5:+55:2940*72*924k€.4~At·:.6346·.1- 'Rky·y. i·:··<·. -1 - -32{Ettitti€39243%234?34~~19{i,i.j.8.5 }.1.~ - ... CS·X:" 3·t·-2 f 5.443 " %:6: . Cl y. K··A 4t ·- , ·e=?+F. : .: R.B,Ut::193 11;3 : 4 ·ty:-43 23.1.i.44*R**32%,32% 114}3%43:·fi·.it*f :;19=leS.4~8~rff~3-1,&*f.:i ~t~~~*~.I: f.::41·ii:22:..·:··:. 29· i,·438 :Rell#11 . . .0 -i.¥:2AZ,2..mi.'t.~ .4 i'»N --4»»-·>·te:.4.,Ack··,~ RkS@?11-3-212.2.i:4 .2 29793..12~¥ UP A.'42/47 W# i':.3..11 '·..t·j··.:: til.f·$13:fi?It.%';:·>..ti,j;hk)-f,10~., ::142<4.·25·t:E.':*f:di ·X»» - n*···>'2»~ ¥NSA 7 9•y~€«•. 1.*129- >8'*,4.¥001*.©Fly .r-. 7.41·, i %*i.ii-*ti:·if~m*43.?::€j·*4i24;;33¤3*13 3%14%..K Hi :3:t-<ttt:<<%-SCRS<·t<t--:60··939.-D<-tlet<t<··:St·}GR:i-%26·:t:·ttitek.<·........· Night shift on a 366 acre Tire -near brake, CO 1993. A survey completed in 1995 by the Colorado State Forest Service estimates that 57% of subdivisions and other development in western Larimer County have a high fire loss potential. Fire loss potential combines the potential to burn (hazard) with the potential for ignition and average fire size to estimate the likelihood of a devastating wildfire occurring in a community. Using historical data, state and private lands within Larimer County can expect 20 fires greater than 100 acres in size during the next ten years. Exactly when and were these fires occur is anyone's guess. On average, over the past twenty years or so, 161 wildfires bum over 2200 acres each year in Larimer County. In "slow" years, such as 1996, wildfires are relatively small and, though many homes may be threatened, no homes bum. At the other extreme is a year like 1994 when 340 fires, including the Hourglass Fire which destroyed 13 buildings at Pingree Park, burned through Larimer County. From 1985 to 1996 fires burned a low of 1 56 acres in 1992 to over 11,000 acres in 1988. In any case, historical records show that, historically, 2% ofall wildfires reach 100 acres or more in size. Extrapolating this data to state and private land, Larimer County can expect 19 to 20 wildfires 100 acres or greater in size during every ten years. Where these fires occur, or how many will threaten, damage or destroy homes is only speculation; however, must we wait until disaster strikes before something is done? Past Wildfires Disastrous wildfires are not uncommon along Colorado's Front Range. A wildfire in 1950 in El 1.1.84 1.44 086.-.1 LI ~ Paso County killed nine firefighters and destroyed 33 homes. The Murphy Gulch Fire threatened , - six homes in Jefferson County in 1978. In 1989 the Black Tiger Fire demolished 44 homes and ' threatened at least 100 more in the Sugarloaf area of Boulder County. Tmgedy again struck Boulder County in 1990 when 10 homes were destroyed just north of the city of Boulder. "Our foothills and canyons are a beautiful and often perilous place to live. Many people who chose to do so take prudent steps to protect their property. Others, as officials working the Sugarloaf fire pointed out, have not done so, making efforts to save their homes virtually futile." Daily Camera, a Boulder newspaper, shortly afterthe Black Tiger Fire destroyed 44 homes in 1989. .. Numerous wildfires threatened structures up and down the Front Range in 1994. In May of 1996, 12 homes burned in the Buffalo Creek Fire southwest of Denver. Fortunately, major residential home loss from wildfire has not occurred to date in Larimer County. It should be noted, however, that wildfires are now 1hreaten structures every year. In addition to destroying 13 buildings at Pingree Park, the Hourglass Fire threatened twelve summer homes in the Poudre Springs area. The Snowtop Fire, in July 1993, threatened at least 5 homes in Cedar Park. In 1995, a relatively wet year, the Bonner Peaks Fire threatened eight homes west of Highway 287. During the summer of 1996, several fires ranging in size from one acre to 180 acres, threatened 50 to 60 homes throughout Lan-mer County. "Please do not wait to act...until after the inevitable calamity." Homeowner in a letter to the editor, the Trai/-Gazette, Estes Park, Colorado, December 15,1995. As so many fire ecologists, firefighters and others have said, the question is no longer if a major wildfire is likely to occur, but when and where will the fire bum. Fire Ecology Wildfire, along with climate and topography, has been a dominant disturbance fador in determining the structure and compositions of Rocky Mountain forests. Fire frequency and severity are critical in determining which plant species grow on a particular site. For this reason, species such as aspen may be favored by shorter fire frequencies, but lost from sites during unusually long fire-free periods. Very short fire frequencies may result in the loss of conifer species unable to establish a seed pool. Without question, fire will continue to play a major role in the plant succession of our western forests. S : Remains of a structure following the wildhres ot 1994 in Larimer County Wildfire has returned to our forested ecosystems at fairly frequent and somewhat predictable intervals, with estimates of the historical fire frequency varying with forest type. Fire frequency of r pondbrosa pine in Rocky Mountain National Park has been estimated at 30 years, while other , st,klies indicate fire frequency ranging from 12 to 46 years in ponderosa pine along Colorado's 9 Front Range. Fires in Rocky Mountain National Park lodgepole forests have been estimated to occur every 50 years. Evidence indicates the Pingree Park area in central Larimer County burned about 120 ..- , ..... ,- years ago. An average of 161 wildfires occur each year in western Larimer County. Historically, the occurrence of lodgepole pine is largely controlled by fire frequency and severity. Lodgepole seeds in recent bums to form dense, "dog-hair" stands that often remain until .. destroyed by another wildfire. When homes are built in lodgepole pine forests, the results can be disastrous. How much wildfire changes forest structure and species composition depends on current forest conditions, weather, topography and fire intensity. Many decades of fire suppression have significantly altered the historical fire regimes in Larimer County. Years of fuel accumulation caused by successful fire suppression, lack of forest management, a general public misunderstanding of forestry and fire ecology, and the increasing number of homes and communities in our forests, have created a significant wildfire problem. Each year that passes without addressing wildland fuels simply increases the potential for disaster. The Fire Environment Wildfire is defined as any fire occurring on wildlands that requires suppression response. If left unchecked, it is likely these fires will threaten lives and properly. In 1994, 340 wildfires occurred in Larimer County. Over 11,000 acres burned in 1988. Wildfire behavior and spread are affected by fuels, topography and weather. Fuels, typically thought of as grass, brush, trees, and dead vegetation, now include homes and other structures. Ironically, improved fire protection combined with decreased forest management has contributed to increased fuels. Toi»graphy helps determine fire spread. Because heat rises, fire spread increases as slopes become steeper. Homes built in canyons or on ridge tops frequently have less chance of surviving wildfire. Steeper slopes also hamper suppression efforts. Historically, fire occurrence is greater on south and southwest facing slopes due to lower amounts of fuel, higher temperatures, lower humidity, and lower fuel moisture. Weather, the most critical and the most unpredictable element of fire behavior, is constantly changing and often determines fire size. Hot, windy days with low humidities create favorable conditions for wildfire. In Colorado these conditions can occur anytime throughout the year. Most large fires are wind driven events. Wildfire cannot be eliminated from forested ecosystems. In fact, incidences of catastrophic wildfire appear to be on the rise in Colorado! Where hazardous fuels, difficult terrain, and extreme weather exist, all that is needed for a wildfire to occur is an ignition source. Fire Ignition Sources Lightning strikes the earth an average of 100 times each second totaling over 3 billion strikes each year. Though lightning is typically responsible for 30-45% of all fires on federal lands in Larimer County, only 11%of all wildfires on state and privates are lightning caused. The 1=*FRECT™a LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE .*m 14% P.XN , WI; ly#/7 11\ 1.\>,cr~»j v j.7 1 Jim Alderden, Sheriff ~ 1 ' HEADQUARTERS · ~~r Street: 200 West Oak Fort Collins, CO 80521 November 12, 1999 -. 970 498-5100 970 498-9203 (FAX) Mailing: P.O. Box 1190 Fort Collins. CO 80522 970 498-5100 970 498-9203 (FAX) Scott Dorman Fire Chief Estes Park V.F.D. P.O. BOX 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 DETENTION CENTER 2405 Midpoint Drive Dear Scott, Fort Collins. CO 80525 970 498-5200 970 407-9034 (FAX) This is a belated letter of thanks. On behalf of the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, I wish to thank you and Estes Park Fire for your assistance in the recovery efforts of a missing kayaker in Poudre Falls last September. ESTES PARK 970 586-4465 In the spirit of cooperation and mutual aid you allowed us use of your department's equipment including a 30' fiberglass pole that allowed us to reach and probe areas WINDSOR previously unobtainable. This maneuver aided us in the retrieval of the body of 970 686-7439 missing kayaker, Dan Stotz, without placing our divers at risk. Due to your help, we were successful in resolving this matter and providing closure for the grieving family and friends involved. LONGMONT 303651-0151 For the use of your equipment and your willingness to cooperate in matters of mutual aid, we sincerely thank you. Sincerely, DIVISION COMMANDERS «-3 Administration: ' Captain Carl Cooper 1 <m Alderden, Detention: | Sheriff Captain Gary Darling 1 1 - tnvestigations: i Captain Em Hudson ~ Operations: Captain Phil Wilson /*14;\ 51'PEH SUPER 8 MOTEL - ESTES PARK 8. MoTEL 1040 Big Thompson • Estes Park, CO 80517 • PHONE AND FAX: 970-586-5338 \«el® To the Estes Park Fire Dept. Scott and John, we just wanted to thank you and tell you that we appreciate you taking the time to come and teach us about fire prevention. The information that you gave us are good and benefical things to know. 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