Fire Department Operations FAQ
Who is North East Teller County Fire Protection District
NETCO FPD is a Separate Governmental Fire Protection District that is governed by a 5 member Board of Directors and receives approximately 99.5% of its operating revenue from property taxes
Isn’t NETCO FPD the City of Woodland Park’s Fire Department
No, the City of Woodland Park is within the District’s boundaries which encompasses approximately 85 square miles from the Douglas County line on the North to Green Mtn. Falls on the South, to the El Paso County line on the East and West to almost Divide
What is ISO
Insurance Service Office…a nationwide independent agency that evaluates Fire Department Capabilities and provides that info to Insurance Companies to help set rates
Why are they so important why not just ignore the rating
They are hired by insurance companies as an independent agency to evaluate Fire Departments and we cannot ignore their findings
Why did they evaluate NETCO FPD now
When ISO feels new construction has changed local risks/exposures and conditions they will initiate a new review which they began in the spring of 2017
What are the Previous Protection Class ratings
- Within 5 miles of the firehouse and within 1000 feet of an approved water source was a 5
- Within 5 miles of the firehouse and greater than 1000 feet of an approved water source was a 8B
- Greater than 5 miles of the firehouse was a 10
What are the new Protection Class
- Within 5 miles of the firehouse and within 1000 feet of an approved water source is a 4 due to the great water supply the City of Woodland Park offers
- Within 5 miles of the firehouse and greater than 1000 feet of an approved water source is a 9
- Greater than 5 miles of the firehouse is a 10
How many firefighters does NFPA 1720 say we should have to respond to Structure fire calls
15 minimum, more on non-hydrant area.
How many firefighters do we currently have on duty at one time to respond to emergency calls
- 4 -100% of the time (fulltime staff)
- 5- 64% of the time in 2017. (utilizing part time staff)
When do the new ratings become effective
September 1, 2017
How will it affect my insurance rates
Upon renewal of Residential and Commercial Insurance a higher Protection Class will have higher insurance rates
What caused the Protection Class to mainly go up outside the City of Woodland Park
Additional new construction within the district w/o addition Property Tax Revenue to hire more personnel
What has been done with the 2012 increase of Mills
- Increased staffing by one Firefighter per shift
- Purchased a New Engine to meet the pumping capacity needed for our district
- Purchased a used ladder truck to meet the height requirements of buildings greater than 35 feet in height in our district
- Purchased a new water tender to deliver water to areas of our district that do not have an approved water source
- Increased our training budget to meet the requirements of NFPA
- Purchased new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (air packs) to replace the out of compliance units we had
Has NETCO FPD applied for personnel grants
Yes we have applied for multiple FEMA grants and were unsuccessful
What are the Fire Department’s other sources of funding
We can only collect a mil levy on property taxes
Why can’t the Fire Department levy sales tax
We are governed by Colorado Revised Statutes and can only levy a property tax
What affect does the Gallagher Amendment have
Beginning in January 2018 the assessment ratio will be reduced by 10% which will reduce our residential property tax revenue.
What does the Fire Department do?
- Structural Fire-fighting
- Vehicle Fires
- Wildland Fire-fighting
- Traffic Accidents and extrication
- Specialized rescue (swift water, ice, rope, below ground)
- Hazardous Material Response (members of the South-Central team for Teller County)
- Emergency Medical Response (ALS and BLS, wilderness/backcountry rescue)
- Community Fire Education (fire extinguisher classes)
- Community Risk Reduction
- Fire Code Compliance
- Pre-Incident Planning
- Wildland Fire Property Assessments
- Burn Permit Inspections
- Existing Building Code Compliance
- New Development/construction code compliance
How many calls does the Fire Department go on per year
- 2017-916
- 2018-1064
What is the current fulltime staffing and part time/volunteer
- 1 Fire Chief
- 12 Fulltime Firefighters
- 1 Executive Assistant
- In 2016 we had to reduce our staff by one fulltime Firefighter/Fire Inspector
- 14 Part time
- 1 Volunteer
How often are there two calls at one time which leaves the district uncovered
21% of the time we have more than call at a time
REPLACEMENT OF VALUABLE DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
| ITEM | WHO TO CONTACT |
| Drivers License | Department of Motor Vehicles—Powers Branch, 5650 Industrial Place, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO (719-520-6240) |
| Bank Accounts | Your bank as soon as possible |
| Insurance Policies | Your agent as soon as possible |
| Military and Discharge Papers | National Personnel Records Center Papers Military Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Boulevard St. Louis MO 63132-5100 www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html |
| Passports | US Postal Office 300 W. South Ave. Woodland Park, CO 80909 719-574-9279 www.passportexpress.com/lost.htm |
| Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates | State Bureau of Records in the state of birth, death, marriage, etc. |
| Divorce Papers | Circuit court where decree was issued |
| Social Security or Medicare Cards | Social Security Administration 1049 N. Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-574-9279 |
| Credit Cards | The issuing companies as soon as possible |
| Titles or deeds | Records department of city or county in which the property is located |
| Stocks and bonds | Issuing company or your broker |
| Wills | Your attorney |
| Medical Records | Your doctor |
| Warranties | Issuing companies |
| Income Tax Records | Internal Revenue Service 24 hour Recorded Tax Assistance 800-829-4477 Federal Tax Questions 800-829-1040 |
| Auto Registration and Title Cards | Department of Motor Vehicles—Powers Branch 5650 Industrial Place, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO (719-520-6240) |
| Prepaid Burial Contracts | Issuing company |
| Post Office | US Postal Office 300 W. South Avenue Woodland Park, CO 80866-9998 (719-687-6179) |
| Citizenship Papers | Immigration & Naturalization Service 1-800-814-1555 |
| Animal Registration | Society or governmental agency of registry |
| Telephone Company | QWEST, customer service 1-800-1491-0118 |
Emergency Numbers
| ITEM | WHO TO CONTACT |
| Electric Company | IREA, 800 N Hwy 67, Woodland Park, CO 80863 (719-687-9277) |
| Gas Company | Black Hills Energy, 24-hr cust. service 1-888-890-5554 |
| Propane Company | Contact your provider |
| Emergency Assistance | American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter 1040 S. Eighth Street Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719-632-3563)Salvation Army 908 Yuma Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (719-636-3891) |
| Towing Services | Fred’s Towing 687-9313 J.E.T. Service 689-2325 Alpine Towing 748-3331 Randy’s Towing 596-6067 |
| Lock Services | The Lock Shop 687-2257 County Door and Hardware 687-2863 |
IN CASE OF PERSONAL INJURY
In the event that you, a friend, or family member is injured in the emergency, you should follow certain procedures if the injury requires treatment beyond the scene of the incident. Contact your company, health insurance, or agent if it is your personal policy. You may be covered under your homeowner’s, automobile, or health insurance. This would apply in the event of short or long-term disability, also.
SALVAGE HINTS
Information concerning the salvage and restoration of such items as clothing, cooking utensils, electrical appliances, food, flooring and rugs, bedding, leather and books, locks and hinges, walls and furniture can be obtained from the U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472 or through the internet at www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/ after.htm Additional information is also available from the Fire Center of the University of Minnesota.
Teller County Office of Emergency Management
