From the Assistant Chief “702”
Aug30Written by:
8/30/2009 9:58 PM 
Time has flown by. It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. Clearly that’s the case, because local schools are back in session and my own son has gone back to college, leaving us with an empty nest again. I want to thank the department for responding to the call from my residence and for the superior care I received. Leesa and I are truly grateful.
Some FYI September things. There are 51 monthly, 31 weekly and 74 daily observations of various things during the month. A few examples of the month long observations include Atrial Fibrillation month, National Prime Beef month (my favorite), One-On-One Month (you figure it out) and Pleasure Your Mate month (have fun with this one). Weekly observations include Play Days (8th-12th), National Clean Your Hands week (20th-26th), and Chimney Safety Week (27th-Oct 3rd). Some interesting daily observations are Oatmeal Day (4th-5th), Be Late For Something Day (5th), Salami Day (6th), International Chocolate Day (13th) , for all you Navy people, Air Force Birthday (18th) and last but probably the most important day, Wife Appreciation Day (19th).
August has been a busy month for the department. I want to thank Dennis Portlance and Bruce Kowalski for helping the department usher in the new school year by placing apparatus on Hwy. 140 near the entrance to the school to remind drivers to slow down in the school zone. I’ll have more information in the near future about the reading program we’ll be initiating with the school, which will be an opportunity for us to work with the kids and provide them with incentives to increase their reading capabilities.
The pipeline training presented in August by Williams was excellent. We’re very fortunate to have resources like Ted Stahl in our district to conduct these types of trainings.
By now most of you probably know that the department has received full funding for construction of Station 5 through an energy impact grant. I want to extend sincere gratitude to JT Coyne for his work on the grant application and for his excellent presentation to the grant committee when it met in Durango. His presentation was a key factor in the department’s successful grant application.
Over the course of the Spring and Summer, the Line Officers have worked hard to respond to the survey results taken of members earlier this year. Roughly one-third of the membership responded. Through the survey you provided us with a great deal of information and clearly there were matters of concern that many share. Station maintenance was one of those issues brought forth. The Line Officers have focused on this area, and we’ve made great improvements to the appearance of station property. I want to thank the members who turned out to assist with those projects. Budget constraints have not permitted us to contract for mowing, weed whipping and other tasks, but that will certainly be a topic of discussion when we turn to the next fiscal budget. In the meantime, I would ask that every member step up and help out with station work days being planned. The tasks are much easier when there’s a good turnout of members.
Proposed by-laws changes will be presented to the membership for discussion and approval on September 22. New by-laws will shape the future of the department and it’s very important that members be part of that process. By-laws are the guide by which the department functions. As a member, you have a voice in this. Copies of the by-laws will be distributed in your Station 1 mailboxes shortly. Or, you can request a copy electronically by contacting Robin at the office. Please review them thoroughly and come to the September 22 meeting prepared with questions, comments and suggestions. If you’re truly unable to attend, please contact me with your thoughts and I’ll convey those on September 22. You have my commitment to see to it that everyone has a chance to provide input. Be safe.