Wednesday January 30, Chief Tom DeMint will update RCFC on the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA). The fire chief will discuss the size of the jurisdiction, the budget, governance, number of calls, community risk reduction, the quest for continuous improvement and more.
The PFA was formed in 1981 through an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Fort Collins and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District (PVFPD). This consolidation was implemented to provide a more prompt and effective response to fires and emergencies in the 235 square mile area served by the PFA.
Chief DeMint has been involved in emergency services for over 42 years and has been a member of the PFA over 30 years. At PFA, Chief DeMint has held the rank of captain, assistant fire marshal, strategic plan coordinator, training chief, and battalion chief before being promoted to Fire Chief in 2011. Chief DeMint has instructed fire service related classes throughout the United States and internationally, and served as a member of the development team for To Hell and Back, a nationally recognized firefighter safety training series. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, President of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs, chair of the Front Range Fire Consortium - a fire service training partnership in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming, a member of the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Age Friendly Communities and a member of numerous other fire service and community organizations. Chief DeMint is recognized as a credential Chief Fire Officer through the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. Under Chief DeMint’s leadership the Poudre Fire Authority has received accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Chief DeMint lives in Timnath with his wife Kathy and their 14 year old Welsh Corgi, Emma. Chief DeMint has three wonderful granddaughters that live close by.
In 1982 PFA responded to a little less than 3000 calls for service. In 2019, PFA will respond to 25,000 calls for service which equals nearly 40,000 fire apparatus responses. While PFA responds to all fire emergencies, fire is only a small part of our emergency needs. Today medical emergencies make up approximately 70% of PFA’s emergency response, and PFA is responsible for maintaining the contract between the community and the regional ambulance provider, UCHealth. DeMint will discuss why fire apparatus responds to medical emergencies and what they are doing to improve responses to an ever growing service demand.
DeMint will also discuss the quest for continuous improvement and benchmarking outcomes. PFA is one of only 259 accredited fire agencies worldwide. They have received the Government Finance Officers (GFOA) awards for excellence in budget presentations and comprehensive annual reports, and awards from the International City and County Managers Association (ICMA) for performance measurement. PFA holds itself accountable to provide excellent fire protection and emergency response while staying on a course of continuous improvement.
On behalf of the Community Grants committee, Kathy Nicol awarded $3,000 to the Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County. Accepting this award was Cecilia Reynolds, Program coordinator and Jim Haselmaier, Board President. The grant will be used to publish participant workbooks for Hope for Today, their adult suicide prevention program.
Committee Chair John Vogt introduced Joe Gawronski, principal of Polaris Expedition art School, who in turn introduced Colton Lee as Student of the Month. Colton is very active and respected at Polaris and was the founder of SART, the sexual assault resource team. He plays baseball for Poudre High, with hopes of playing college ball.
January 23, Kathy Hawkins outlined her background starting on Omaha Nebraska. She has studied Elementary Education, Computer Science, Accounting and has worked for Celestica and the FC/Loveland Water District. Her membership was sponsored by Kathy Nicol, and President Steve presented her with her Blue badge.
January 23, Kaycee Headrick, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County (BGCLC), presented BGCLC's current status and plans for the future. Larimer County has 8 clubs providing daily out-of-school programs (including meals and snacks) for children 6 – 18 years of age. Cost is $20 per year per child. School busses deliver kids to free-standing clubs; facilities integrated in other establishments are aimed at local kids who can walk.
BGCLC attempts to address three issues. 1) Economic disadvantage: In Larimer County, it takes $70,000 annual income for a family of 4 to meet basic needs; poverty is defined as an income less than approximately $27,000. 11% of the residents in Larimer County live in poverty and it is estimated that 16,000 of those are children. BGCLC currently serves over 3000 youth each year. 2) Mental health. Suicide is a major cause of death in the 10 – 24-year age range. 3) High school graduation rates are reduced for kids on free & reduced lunch programs.
The annual Youth of the Year Fundraising Breakfast will be at Embassy Suites on Feb. 14, 7:00 – 8:30 AM. Diverse opportunities for volunteering are available through begreatlarimer.org or 970-372-2976. Questions may be addressed to Kaycee at kheadrick@bgclarimer.org.
BGCLC emphasizes five elements for positive youth development: 1) a safe and positive environment; 2) create an environment that is fun and provides a sense of belonging; 3) build supportive relationships; 4) set high expectations and new opportunities; 5) provide formal and informal recognition. Examples include a baseball clinic with the Colorado Rockies and a week-long camping experience.
Priority outcomes include: academic success (graduate from high school); building good character and citizenship; healthy lifestyles (healthy diet and physical fitness). Kids who attend show better results than peers who do not attend.
Action plans for the future: 1) increased access. There are three new clubs in the county; there is specific outreach to the Loveland area; and a church building in Wellington has been purchased to be renovated for a new club to open this summer. 2) Increase program quality & member experience by focusing on staff development & training, program development evaluation, and community partnerships. 3) Strengthen organization & sustainability.
Rotary Club of Fort Collins was chartered August 1, 1918, and this year celebrates 100 Years of Rotary In Fort Collins.
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Meetings: Wednesday Noon
Drake Center (Lunch)
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins,
CO 80526 United States
Kelly Kessler fell and broke a hip. He is in Room 201 at Centre Rehab.
Kirvin Knox thanked all Rotarians who hosted guests from CSU last week.
Assistant District Governor Ted urged everyone to become a sponsor of Boys and Girls Club and the Peach Festival.
Martin and Mary Catherine Limbird are off to India to visit Rotary projects there.
The Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins are sponsoring a Peace Initiative Speaker Series. The first is a special presentation on race relations at CSU’s Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. See Peace Committee members for details.
Past Announcements still valid:
Rotaract's annual Breakfast Bingo is coming Feb 16th from 9 am to 12 pm at the Northside Aztlan Center. They are raising money for Africa Pads, an organization working to empower and support women in Malawi Africa. Tickets are $30. To buy tickets, donate to Africa Pads, or donate to the event (anything monetary or items for silent auction) please contact focorotaract@gmail.com.
Henry Weisser urged members to pick up an OSHER catalog.
Rob Marschke asked members to support the 2019 Peach Festival by becoming a Sponsor. Forms were distributed.
Don Eversoll asked interested members to join the newly established Peace Fellowship. Remember—peace leads to solutions.
Sally Lee urged members to give King Soopers cards as gifts. Talk to her if interested.
Bill Schaffter urges participation in Fort Collins Read Aloud. For information, go to Fortcollinsreadaloud.org.
Marty Bachman reminded all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge. Call Marty, Melanie Chamberlain, or JeanneFangman.