High Noon Rotary

October 27, 2007

 

Guests: Tom Breed and Mike Dunnaway; Durango Fire Department Rescue Authority (Speaker)

Kathy Holmes, Wells Group

Kimberly Barnes

Marcella ?

 

Announcements:

 

  1. Trash to Treasure:  Marcella announced that the Trash to Treasure made approximately $3200 dollars.  Thanks to all those who helped set up in preparation for the event.

 

  1. So far $2851 has been collected in Marv Collentines’ name for the La Plata Youth Services Scholarship.

 

  1. Mary Barter provided handouts concerning the 9R School District Tax Bill.  The School District has sustained a 36% decrease as a consequence of cannot retain taxes left over from the prior years (NOT SURE THIS NOTE IS CORRECT).   The Vote on 3A will mean a 43cent/month increase not 43cent/year as previously stated.  They expect <8-10% /year next year.

 

  1. (WHO Presented this? )The Adaptive Sports Association is looking for volunteers to help teach skiing or snowboarding to people with disabilities.  Not experience necessary.  All training provided free of charge.  Orientations will be provided on the following dates and times at the Durango Recreation Center

 

    1. Wednesday, November 9, 2005 – 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    2. Thursday, November 10, 2005 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

For more information call 259-0374 OR 385-2163

 

The secret question of the day:  Who served as a body guard for the Secretary of Defense?  And the answer is Mark Prouty.    Way to go, not everyone gets to have such an exciting job in their lifetime.

 

David Ganevsky is PLEASE asking everyone to get their survey results in to him so he can finalize his work.  Be kind to David and help him out.  Send yours in now by fast mail, otherwise known as e-mail, or snail mail otherwise known as the post.  Or you could be really nice and hand carry it to him at our next meeting.

 

Monte Carlo night is proposed for April 22, 2006.  Bill Cartwright would like some volunteers for his committee so if you are interested please contact him.

 

 

 

Ward Holmes:   The By-Laws were offered and accepted.

 

Steve Govreau:  Ward Holmes was presented with an Outstanding Business Award for Four Corners Broadcasting from the High Noon Rotary.  Ward graciously accepted on behalf of all the individuals who make it happen on the radio.

 

Speaker was introduced by John Anderson:  The subject this week concerned the formation of the Durango Fire and Rescue Authority (DFRA). A feasibility study done in 1999 involved all the fire departments in LaPlata County, with the exception of the Los Pinos and Ingancio who chose not to be included.  It was adopted in July of 2002 and in October 2002 the Mercy Ambulance service brought that to the table and asked the DFRA to then handle all ambulance transport.

 

Prior to 2002 the Fire Department received approximately 2000 calls a year; this year, 2005, over 4000 calls have been taken so far.  Part of this increase if growth and an older population.  The DFRA currently provides coverage for 3000 square miles.

 

There are 15 stations running 24-hr shifts; 81 volunteers, 13 reserve/part-time, 48-career line staff of which they work 3 shifts of 24/7.  Additionally, there are 20 administrative staff, four of which are not uniformed and do not respond to calls.

 

They are currently working at a <8 minute response time; well below the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rate.  The ISO rates according to class, 6-10, with 10 being the lowest and relating to an area being to far from a responding station.  When the DFRA was combined they were able to drop their ISO to a 5 within jurisdiction and a 9 outside jurisdiction.

 

The DFRA has a Mutual Aid/Automatic Aide Agreement in place which translates for us into the fact that when the Missionary Ridge Fire erupted the Los Pinos and Farmington Fire Departments provided backup to both the Missionary and Valley Fire.

 

Several grants were applied for, one being under the Homeland Security Act:  All Risk/All Land.  From this the DFRA has received more and better training; one command vehicle which was ask to respond to the Rita Hurricane; protective equipment for Region 9 and a Transmitter Tower plus additional hand-held radios which all contribute to a better prepared fire department.

 

Another grant provided monies to buy a Safety Training Trailer with which to teach children how to get out of a smoke and fire filled building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the future they need to maintain and improve on what DFRA has now.  Currently blessed with and large and very well trained professional medical care.  Need to plan for the growing older population; fund capital needs and determine how to do this; there was a 5-year commitment by the entities when the authority was begun; volunteer system – how to maintain – in the future this decreases as with all fire departments; there is a Blue Ribbon Committee looking at the DFRA to see how this can move forward.  The Board of Directors is now reviewing their recommendations on the roadmap.

 

The end of Daylight Savings Time is here so

CHANGE BATTERIES IN SMOKE DETECTORS