NEDERLAND — The Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors met on Wednesday, May 20, to receive an update from Chief Charlie Schmidtmann on the District’s hiring opportunities, on the recent push to update local residents’ address signs, and on the medical and fire-related emergencies that have occurred in the area. 

Calls of significance 

NFPD personnel responded to 36 calls since mid-April, which included a patient suffering multiple seizures, several patients in town reporting chest pains, and the search for a lost person in the Five Points area, who was found alive and well by crew members. 

Nederland firefighters: assisted Sugarloaf Fire Protection District with extinguishing a fire on Sugarloaf Road; responded to a fire on East Street that turned out to be a roll of paper towels; and investigated an extinguished structure fire on Peakview Road. 

Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin included more details on the ongoing investigation, reporting that NFPD personnel originally responded to a small garbage fire and, once the fire was fully extinguished, requested Schmidtmann and Joslin to conduct an “origin-and-cause” investigation. 

“At this time, the fire appears to be accidental in nature and consistent with improper handling and disposal of oil-soaked rags used during contracting work at the home,” Joslin’s report reads. “The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) issued a summons for 4th degree arson to one of the workers.”

A baby was also born in the back of the NFPD’s new ambulance; Schmidtmann congratulated the fantastic work of his crew, including District Administrator Sherry Snyder, Captain Nick Faes, Fire Marshal Joslin, Firefighters Irwin-Powell and Lynch, and Deputy Cantwell.  

Departures and new beginnings 
Administrator Snyder delivered an update on the District’s campaign for volunteer engagement, as well as on the open Fire Captain and Paramedic positions.

The NFPD’s application process for prospective volunteers yielded 18 responses, with all but one being invited to attend the Open House. Following the Open House on May 19, prospective volunteers were entered into a “preparation and applicant screening” process, with formal interviews to be scheduled from May 26 to May 28.

Interviews will be conducted by a panel consisting of Chief Schmidtmann, Marshal Joslin, an on-duty Captain, and a volunteer firefighter. Those chosen as recruits will attend an Orientation on June 14. 

Due to the recent departures of several team members, the District is currently hiring for a Fire Captain and Paramedic, with interviews tentatively planned to be held the second week of June in hopes that the new Captain can start by July.

Schmidtmann gave a shout out to those who have left the team and acknowledged their years of service to the NFPD. Lieutenant’s Mandi and Scott Papich have moved to Salida, and Captain Conor Moran and Cameron Moran have also resigned. 

“We wish everyone that has recently moved on from Nederland Fire the best and thank them for all their time and dedication to our community and agency,” Schmidtmann said. 

The District has also suffered the unfortunate loss of their beloved station dog Blue Bell, whose presence at the NFPD fire station will be greatly missed. Condolences go to Joe Luna, Blue’s owner. 

Address signs 

The NFPD has been working with the Boulder Watershed Collective to provide residents within the District with approved address signs, which —as they are of regulation size and reflectivity— will greatly improve firefighters’ ability to locate backcountry homes during emergencies. 

75 free signs have been claimed, totaling 86 residents who are now easier to find by emergency personnel. All that is left is for the NFPD staff to assist these residents with installing the posts and signs, which is expected to be completed over the summer. 

The Nederland Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings can be attended online via Microsoft Teams. Their next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. 

For more information go to nfpd.org.