GILPIN COUNTY – The Timberline Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on January 14, 2025, with President Rick Wenzel, Vice Chairman John Bushey, Members at Large John Carder and Kristin Turner, Fire Chief Paul Ondr, and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman in attendance.

Member Mary Kate McKenna had an excused absence.

The Board approved the minutes from their December 2024 meeting and reviewed the treasurer's report for the same period. Hinderman noted that while deployment revenue is coming in, it's arriving slower than expected.

The discussion moved to ongoing capital projects, including updates for Station 3’s garage bays. Chief Ondr expressed that progress is steady, with four out of eight RSVPs confirmed for a mandatory meeting on January 15 regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP). Bids are due by January 30. 

Ondr also reported that Station 3’s generator is on its way, and the USDA architect has approved the latest architectural plans for the station.

December saw 45 calls, including a structure fire on January 10. The department, supported by Black Hawk Fire, responded in just eight minutes. The fire caused significant smoke damage, but the building remains structurally sound. 

U54, an old Ford Explorer, has been retired and will now serve as a training tool before recycling.

The department’s new shared mechanic with Nederland Fire starts this week.

Weather permitting, mitigation work continues.

The screening of a wildfire film drew around 50 community members, and another screening is planned for February 8.

Brush 52 and two mitigation employees joined the fight against California’s Palisades Fire, operating on a 24-hour shift rotation. 

In 2024, the department completed 208 free mitigation assessments, worked at 244 properties, and removed over 953 cubic yards of chips from 363 locations.

The 2025 audit is scheduled for mid-June. 

Two new SAFER Grants are in the works, one to staff Station 3 with six firefighters and another to retain the Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. 

A grant amendment request includes funding for a mobile LED sign to assist recruitment efforts at stations and events.

Interviews for new volunteers are underway, with 11 applicants. An all-hands meeting on January 17 will introduce a new points system and member stipends. 

The Timberline Volunteer Firefighter Foundation is hosting a Super Bowl gathering on February 9 at Station 3.

The next board meeting is set for February 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.