Wildland Update from Capt John Mandl

6-11-20

  • Our new Tactical Tender is in full service. It allows for water support for structure fires and is also equipped with wildland firefighting tools and hose for response to wildland fires. It is a great addition to our fleet.
  • ICFPD Board of Directors has approved the purchase of a new vehicle chassis for one of our brush trucks. The chassis was ordered June 10th and we hope to take delivery by the end of September. We are hoping for it to be in full service by late fall. All the tools, equipment, water tank and pump will be transferred to the new chassis after it is delivered. The new chassis is a crew cab which allows us to bring more personnel to a fire vs our current standard cab brush truck. It also allows for safer social distancing while responding.
  • I have been coordinating with the Jefferson County Sheriff to get use of the county chipper. Everything is going well, and we hope to have the chipper by mid-July. With that, Inter-Canyon will develop a plan to offer free chipping to our residents. As we roll out a program, the chips can be scattered or piled, as the homeowner wishes. Check back for further updates on this program.
  • Don’t let the green grass fool you. It will all dry out soon enough and we will be back to high fire danger. Take the time now to clean up and mitigate around your home. Also take note of growth along the road you are on. Would you want to drive that road while the vegetation on the roadside is on fire? Do your part to increase the safety for yourself, your community and even the firefighters that would respond to a fire in the area.

10-28-19

Since starting on full time in April I have been tasked with many responsibilities both for the fire department as well as the community. Here are some highlights of what is being focused upon:

As Training Captain

  • Coordinate all in house trainings – usually 4/month
  • Identify outside training opportunities that will enhance the quality of service ICFPD provides
  • Track firefighter certifications in all disciplines except EMS (Our EMS Captain oversees EMS)
  • Oversee ICFPD recruits while they complete their Firefighter I certification with the Mountain Fire Academy
  • Facilitate the HAZMAT Awareness/Operations portion of the Mountain Fire Academy

As Wildland Coordinator

  • Offer training opportunities for firefighters who respond to wildland fires
  • Oversee the readiness of apparatus and tools for wildland firefighting
  • Coordinate some of ICFPDs wildland response in district as well as mutual aide
  • Developing tactical mapping for in district wildfire response
  • Oversee the updating of the ICFPD CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan)
  • Assist communities with the development of CWPIPs (Community Wildfire Protection Implementation Plans)
  • Assist homeowners with wildfire mitigation assessments and plans
  • Maintaining old and establishing new relationships with neighboring agencies to provide a more robust plan to lesson the hazards of wildfire in our district and surrounding areas
  • Working toward establishing a community support program consisting of but not limited to grants for community education and personnel/equipment for community mitigation