NEDERLAND - The Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors met on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, to discuss the prospect of extending emergency preparedness services for the Town’s older adults.

These services include a “File of Life,” which is a card, or refrigerator magnet, that provides medical responders with the homeowners’ medical information.

Board President Guy Falsetti presented the idea of the district possibly leading and funding a program like the File of Life Foundation’s, after having discussed the matter with the Nederland Area Seniors (NAS).

The cards, or magnets, will act as another layer of protection in addition to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management’s BoCo Alerts system for residents who are high-risk. Falsetti added that community outreach for such a program can be hosted during the NAS’s weekly meetings at the Nederland Community Center, or at the Nederland Community Library.

Falsetti also stated that, if the district were to pursue that kind of program, integration should be implemented with their own reporting software, First Due. 

The Board was mostly in favor of the prospect, as was NFPD Fire Chief Charlie Schmidtmann, though he expressed concerns about confidentiality in terms of citizens’ medical information, as well as concerns about managing the updating of that information. 

Schmidtmann added that the NFPD is currently in discussions with representatives of Gold Hill to commit to funding a File of Life program for the creation of 50 magnets, with the cost ranging from $0.62 and $1.12 per magnet. 

Chief’s report  

Schmidtmann delivered his monthly report to the Board and detailed the calls of significance that occurred since late April. 

Firefighters and medical personnel responded to a patient suffering a drug overdose, to a patient who broke their leg after falling in Town, to a vehicle rollover accident in Boulder Canyon, and to two illegal campfires at the West Magnolia campsite. 

Crews assisted other firefighting districts in several mutual aid calls, including Coal Creek firefighters for a structure fire, and Timberline Fire Protection District for a patient suffering from hypoglycemia. Assistance was also provided for a person who was injured falling from a horse. 

NFPD firefighters also responded to a triggered fire alarm within a vacant house, supervised a situation involving a gas main in the Old Town neighborhood, and attended to a malfunctioning hot water heater which had nearly caused a fire at the Visitors Center.  

Schmidtmann’s report to the Board listed the work being conducted to improve operations at the fire station and to maintain the district’s vehicles and equipment. 

New lighting was installed in the fire station kitchen, with more lights ordered for installation in the training and bunker gear rooms. Workout equipment was moved to make room for more gear, and a new door closer was put onto the fire station’s rear door.  

In addition to reporting the minor repairs and preventive maintenance being conducted on the district’s current vehicles, Schmidtmann also provided updates on the progress of several new vehicles.

Final inspection on a new fire engine is scheduled for the first week of June; two other new vehicles are nearly complete and are awaiting finishing touches, like graphics; and final inspection of the new ambulance is also scheduled for early June.

Schmidtmann was proud to report to the Board that three of the district’s Lieutenant Candidates had finished their necessary requirements and were promoted. Congratulations were given to Lieutenants Mandi Papich, Scott Papich, and Bobby Swanson. 

Included in the documented 921 hours of training that had been completed so far in 2025, district personnel also completed aerial operations training, taught pediatric trauma training, led structure fire drills, and attended an engine operator classes. 

The Board was also informed that Schmidtmann had finished a 160-hour Chief Officer Training Class in Loveland on May 6 that had been hosted across the state over the past two years.

Schmidtmann’s report detailed the efforts of Captain Conor Moran and the NFPD’s Emergency Medical Services department, including the procurement of free Narcan through a private organization, and registering with the pediatric healthcare technology company HandTevy. 

Assistance was also provided to a high-risk community member who required some minor repairs around their home in order to ensure “independent living and safety,” as well as ease of access for food deliveries. 

Fire Marshal’s report

NFPD Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin delivered his monthly report to the Board, which stated that he is working with Town staff and with the Town’s engineering firm JVA on planning new fire hydrants to be installed at the Nederland Community Center. 

A first draft of the Town’s new Fire Code has been completed, which involves incorporating the 2024 International Fire Code. A committee of Town officials will review the draft; Joslin expects a final draft to come before the NFPD Board by July. 

Joslin provided an update regarding the district’s testing of local private cisterns, noting that work is nearing completion.

Of the 30 documented private cisterns within the district, the majority have been found to have no issues, though two were found to have been damaged, most likely from plowing operations over the winter. 

In other business related to private cisterns, Board members unanimously approved an Emergency Water Supply Agreement between the NFPD and homeowners within the district. The agreement details the rules for cistern installation, for grant of access, and for expected maintenance and repairs. 

The Board was also updated that Joslin had completed the Fire & Life Safety Educator I course and passed the state exam.

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 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. 

For more information go to: https://www.nfpd.org.