Testimonial

By R and C Ciccozzi


In January of 2008 we read a notice in the post office about a meeting and potluck that was going to be held at the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall. Being new to the area, we thought it would be a good way to get to know our neighbors and learn about our community. We were impressed with what we saw and heard at that meeting, so much so that we've been a part of the auxiliary ever since and have volunteered a few hours of our time periodically over the last year


In January of this year, the auxiliary members were there for us in a big way-not only with a thoughtful fruit basket and moral support, but they also volunteered their time and drove to our house each day to feed our dogs, enabling us to stay in Pueblo while we worked through a medical crisis.


It's comforting to know that this community of volunteers can be counted on when needed. Our undying appreciation and love goes out to the kindhearted, thoughtful people of the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary.

Trainings held in 2008

The Bon Carbo Volunteer Firefighters have participated in interdepartmental (trainings with other fire departments) that included:

• Mass casualty exercise
• Truck and hydrant use
• Vehicle extrication
• Ice Rescue

In-house trainings have included:

• Using the new SCBA's
• CPR classes
• Practice with the trucks
• "Cold Weather" Operations
• Wildland-Urban Interface

What's New for the BCVFD?

Our fire department is part of the spanish Peaks/Bon Carbo Fire Protection District, and our District Board decides how allocated district tax monies are spent. With the Board's authorization of those allocated funds, along with donated funds, we've accomplished the following:

• Set up our website at www.spbcfpd.org
• Purchased three new cyclinders and six new SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) for our firefighters
• Purchased a compressor
• Purchased six dry hydrant kits, allowing us to pump water out of existing funds for quicker fire suppression
• Purchased Officer's Training DVDs
• Purchased a new radio for fire truck Unit 100
• Purchased software to reprogram radios, which will save taxpayers thousands of dollars over the coming years
• Upgraded our computer training program

Spring Clean Up is the Right Thing To Do-Do it the Right Way

Excerpt from "Interagency Fire Prevention Education Team Newsletter" dated March 23, 2009-


If you live in a wildland area, you need to use all equipment responsibly-whether creating a defensible space around your home, mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike to the side of the road. Lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe:

• Do your clearance before 10 a.m.-not in the heat of the day, or when the wind is blowing!
• Never use law mowers in dry vegetation. Use a weed trimmer to cut dry weeds and grass.
• Remove rocks in the area before you operate equipment. A hidden rock can start a fire when struck by a metal blade.
• In wildland areas, spark arresters are required on all portable gasonline-powered equipment, including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed eaters, mowers, motorcycles, and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
• Keep the exhaust system, spark arresters and mower in proper working order and free of carbon buildup. Use the recommended grade of fuel and don't fill to the top.
• Keep the engine free of oil and dust, and keep the mower free of flammable materials.
• In wildland areas, a permit may be required for grinding and welding operations, and spark shields may be required on equipment. Be sure to have 10 feet of clearance, a 46" round point shovel, and a back up pump water-type fire extinguisher ready.
• Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires you won't even see-until its too late! Don't drive a vehicle into dry grass or brush.
• Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire!

Anyone who causes a wildfire (whether intentionally or through carelessness) may be held responsible or the costs of suppressing it and for any damages the fire may cause. Once started, the amount of damage a fire may cause is literally limitless-up to and including loss of life. Spring clean up of your yard is the right thing to do, please do it the right way!

For more information on safe practices, contact the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department at 846-2399.

The Bon Carbo Fire Department Auxiliary

The Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary is a non-profit organization that operates on donations, fundraisers and occasional grants. It's main purpose is to provide meals for firefighters during large incidents; it also sponsors CPR classes for interested residents.
With donations, the auxiliary purchases food as well as equipment and supplies not covered in the district budget and also sponsors the annual Appreciation Dinner to thank our firefighters, auxiliary members and volunteers for their dedicated services. These donations are vital for our continued success, and we'd like to thank San Pablo Canyon Ranches, Randy Walk, Rob and Linda Defield, Penny Bieber, and Albert Martinez for their generous cash gifts in 2008!
To make a tax-deductible donation, please send your check payable to: The Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, PO Box 26, Bon Carbo, CO 81024.
Although cash gifts are our life blood, we'd also like to thank Jim and Chong Meyer, Brian and Kim Brickley, John and Mary Garcia and Filbert and Alice Garcia for their donations of firewood in 2008, which auxiliary members distributed to the disabled, elderly and sick in our community. (Apologies and gratitude to anyone we may have missed.) Thank you, as well, to those who have so generously donated their time and efforts to our organizaiton over the years. We can't do it without volunteers!
Fundraisers have included car washes and our annual Farmer's Market Bake Sale in mid-August, where you can pick up a loaf or two of Dave Harris' delicious homemade breads.
Auxiliary meetings are held at the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department Hall and are open to the public. Pre-meeting potlucks beign at 6 pm, followed by a business discussion that ends at approximately 8:30.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter or member of the Quick Response Team, please call the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department at 846-2399. Or maybe you'd like to assist in feeding the firefighters, and/or help with the upkeep of the fire station, and;/or participate in community service projects. To learn more, pleae call Lynn at 846-8538 or join us at the next Auxiliary meeting (notices with dates and times are put up on the bulletin board in the post office and listed here a week or two prior to the meetings). We'd love to see you there!

Special Thanks!

A great big THANK YOU goes out to Whispering Pines for their gift of $3,000. With those funds, the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary was able to purchase three new cylinders for our SCBAs (Self-Contained Breathing Apparaus). This equipment is vital for our firefighters, and they and our auxiliary members are grateful for Whispering Pines' generous donation.

Dry Hydrants

The Spanish Peaks/Bon Carbo Fire Protection District is in the process of installing "dry hydrants" in the district. A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipe system permanently installed in existing lakes, ponds, and streams that provides a means of suction supply of water to the fire trucks. It is an old concept that has been successfully used for a number of years. The biggest issue with the project in this district is finding a pond big enough and accessible year round to install the dry hydrant. There are a number of factors involved in choosing a site for the hydrant. If you have questions or think you might have apond that could qualify for the hydrant, please call Chief Herzog at 846-8538. There will be an agreement signed between the district and the owner of the pond.