Rescue vehicle inside the Rico Fire Department firehouse.

Rico Fire Protection District
Board of Directors
monthly meeting
March 11, 2020

In this report

1. Coronavirus/COVID 19 training
2. 2020 director election
3. Proposed district area expansion
4. Fire Chief's report
5. Adjacent property purchase option
6. Fourth of July schedule

by Allyn Svoboda
Publisher

1) Coronavirus/COVID 19 training

Rico Fire Protection District (RFPD) Administrator David Kunz reported to RFPD directors on Rico Fire Department's coronavisrus/COVID-19 response training, and on the status of other regional medical transport and care provider preparedness:

Rico Fire Department training - March 10

• how to protect yourself from possible coronavirus exposure when assisting a person needing medical assistance or transport.
• face mask, safety glove, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) storage locations in ambulance and other Department vehicles.
• ambulance cleaning and sanitizing procedure after transporting patient to medical facility.

Other providers

• Rico receives coronavirus/COVID-19 information and updates via daily email from State of Colorado and first-responder agencies.
• Medical facilities at Telluride and Cortez are preparing.  Southwest Memorial Hospital at Cortez conducts a daily briefing and is creating triage spaces.
• Other first-responder departments in the area are training in procedures similar to Rico.

Southwest Memorial Hospital at Cortez, Colorado.

Photo courtesy of
Southwest Health Systems

2) 2020 director election

Directors considered and approved a resolution cancelling the election and a declaration deeming the candidates elected. Incumbents Tyler Lapp, Susan Robertson and Stacy Sheridan terms of office expire May 5, 2020, and were the only Rico citizens who submitted self-nominating petitions to be candidates for election to new three-year terms.

3) Proposed district area expansion

Directors reviewed status of possible service area expansion to include West Fork and Groundhog areas south and southwest of Rico. Annual property tax revenue from the new area would be slightly more than 50% of the District's annual revenue from the existing Rico area. The new service area would be 4 to 5 times larger than the current Rico District. Annual cost to provide service to the proposed new area is unknown, and may be greater than the new property tax revenues.

4) Fire Chief's report

Todd Jones reported on "runs" since the previous Board meeting, EMT training which began earlier in 2020 and is in progress, and swiftwater/whitewater rescue training which is expected to be available for Department members during high-runoff season.

5) Adjacent property purchase option

The District is considering purchase of two Rico lots and a portion of a third. This combined area adjoins the Rico Fire Station property on the south. Directors reviewed details regarding appointment of District representatives authorized to sign real estate purchase documents.

6) Fourth of July schedule

Rico Fire Department coordinates this annual community event.

Activities

• RFPD Duck Race on the Dolores River
• Parade, Dusk Light Parade, and Fireworks Show.
• "Burgers, Dogs, Bratwurst and BBQ" at the Rico Firehouse
• "Old Timers & Community Barbecue Picnic" at Town Park.

The Rico Center sponsors both meals. Rico Women's Club conducts a craft sale.

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