With summer starting hot and dry, the Dolores Fire Protection District is feeling the heat in more ways than one. The entirely volunteer department is seeking more responders to handle 911 calls and fire reports.
Dolores Fire will host an open house from 12 to 4 p.m. June 27 at 47 Railroad Ave.
The open house presents an opportunity to learn about volunteer firefighting and will consist of a meet and greet with current volunteers, education about the department’s operations, kids activities and a live fire demonstration if weather permits. The department will sell address signs and display their equipment while serving free hot dogs and hamburgers for attendees.
Fire Chief Kim Jones said the department has less than 20 volunteers and only a few available 24/7 for assistance. With 37 years of experience – originally as a firefighter with Rico’s volunteer fire department – Jones works most days and said he would love to recruit at lease 25 more volunteers to support the essential service.
“It's getting down to the nail, and we're needing to try to recruit some new people in our community and in our fire protection district,” Jones said.
As many volunteers have full-time jobs and are unavailable during many weekday hours, the department relies heavily upon neighboring fire districts such as Cortez Fire Protection District, which has full-time paid staff, for support.
Those interested in volunteering need to take several courses and become CPR and first-aid certified. The department sponsors certification courses and also offers training for prospective firefighters on the third and fourth Tuesdays of every month.
Volunteers respond to a wide range of emergency situations, including fire, car accidents, water rescue and ice rescue while keeping a sharp eye on the weather report.
“When people that live in communities and call 911, they expect somebody to be there to help them on what could be their worst day ever,” Jones said. “You yourself would probably hope that if you called 911 that you'd have somebody respond to help you. And in communities like these rural areas, it's so important to be able to provide that.”
Three of Dolores Fire Protection District’s new volunteers took a wildland fire class as Southwest Colorado prepares for a potentially active fire season.
On Wednesday morning while Montezuma County was under a red flag warning, Lewis-Arriola Fire Department, which is also staffed with volunteers, responded to a structure fire near the 16000 block of County Road N, which was contained to one property but resulted in the loss of the property owners’ home.
“It's pretty scary actually,” Jones said. “I think it's more a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if.’”
Jones said Dolores Fire Protection District has responded to over 200 calls so far this year. She hopes the open house will bring out people from the community interested in serving in these essential roles.
Jones recommended those interested in volunteering attend the open house and visit the fire station during their Tuesday evening meetings to ask questions about getting involved.
“It's your neighbors that are responding on a call,” Jones said. “And I think the community needs to know that.”
avanderveen@the-journal.com
