Volume 16 • Winter 2016 Two become one, merger moves forward It is a union eight years in the making and finally South Metro Fire Rescue and Parker Fire District will consolidate the two districts into one. The Parker Fire Protection District, South Metro Fire Rescue, and South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA) Boards of Directors finalized the paperwork to send to the Counties that should complete the merger in January. Once the consolidation is legally completed, there will be one district called South Metro Fire Rescue and one board of directors including Ronda Scholting, Laura Simon, Rich Sokol, David Jackson, Danny Gaddy, Bill Shriver members are Gary Culig, Al Johnson, “This is indeed legacy leadership. I am and Hang Eng. At the Dec. 14 board Pat Mulhern and Jim Olmsted. very proud of the healthy and functional meeting, board members and members “Each of the Board members worked governance culture we enjoy as a result of the district honored outgoing board intentionally and diligently leading of your efforts. Thank you for leading members for their dedicated service SMFRA through a difficult transition and governing with collaboration, and diligence especially in guiding the – consolidating two fire districts into humility and integrity.” merger to completion. Outgoing board one, said Bob Baker. Firefighters work a 48/96 shift. This turns cooking and everyone on shift Why are means they work for 48 hours and typically contributes to the cost of the then they are off for 96 hours. During meals. firefighters at the the 48 hours at the station they clean, train, and eat together. Our grocery store? firefighters are always response ready, if an emergency call comes We get asked often about why in while a crew is shopping, training firefighters take fire apparatus to the or anything else, they are expected grocery store and do taxpayers buy to respond to the emergency with their groceries? their full crew and all necessary Quick Answer: They take the truck equipment. Also, our firefighters to get to your emergency fast. And buy their own food. Many stations they buy their own food. In depth: have a “Food Fund” and they take Board Approves $90 million Budget for 2016 South Metro’s budget for next year will the rebuild of Station 31 be based on revenues from a 9.25 mill and beginning the rebuild of 2016 Total Budgeted Expenditures levy. Taxpayers of the former Parker 32. The budget also $90,215,301 (includes capital transfers) District will see their tax bill reduced by includes market increases of nearly 4 mills thanks to the successful salaries for line and staff, and Insurance and Bad Debt Expense consolidation. The 2016 budget includes bringing the dispatch center Workers Comp 2 % 4% hiring at least 15 firefighters, finishing Metcom into the South Metro Treasurer’s Fire Rescue budget. Fees, 1 % The budgeted $90 million in Capital expenditures is funded mostly Outlay Salaries by property taxes, specific 20% • January 25 ownership taxes, transport 42% Board of Directors Meeting and other fees, totaling about 6 p.m. $70 million. The remaining Supplies expenditures will be funded & Expenses • January 1 - Feb. 26 from cash reserves, primarily 17% Accepting Self-nomination forms for capital projects. Benefits for May Board of Directors Election 15%

Serving the communities of Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Louviers, Parker and Unincorporated Arapahoe & Douglas Counties. years of age. Parents are asked to attend Save a for the first 90 minutes. Cost: $55.00 Heart Class Dates: 2/7/2016, 2/21/2016, South Metro Foundation Classes at the 3/6/2016, 3/20/2016, 4/3/2016, 4/17/2016 CPR/AED and First Aid Certification Sweet This program is supported by a State A one day class which includes infant, Hearts Farm grant. child, and adult CPR and AED training, Ball Adult/Senior Driving Skills plus First Aid. AHA certification valid This is a 4-hour behind-the-wheel class for two years. Cost: $60.00 Class designed to enhance driving skills for dates: 1/30/2016, 2/20/2016, 3/19/2016 February 6, 2016 adults and seniors. Skills taught include Super Sitter Babysitting Class Brown Palace Hotel skid control and recovery, emergency steering, crash avoidance techniques A one day class designed for teens 11 The life you save with CPR is most and threshold braking. Cost: $60.00 to 14 years old. Includes certification likely to be a loved one! Building Class Date: 2/13/2016 This program is in pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid. a Heart Safe Community requires supported by a State Farm grant. Cost: $60.00 Class dates: 2/13/2016, CPR/AED training for citizens, 2/28/2016, 3/12/2016 awareness and education, and the AED sales Teen Crash Avoidance Driving Skills placement of AEDs in schools of We offer AED’s for sale and provide Teen drivers receive hands-on crash children with known cardiac defects. medical authority for the end user. Call 720-989-2261 for information. Register avoidance instruction in a controlled Join South Metro Fire Rescue, for classes or car seat inspections at: environment. Skills taught in this South Metro Safety Foundation and www.southmetrofoundation.org or 303- one day class include skid control and Children’s Hospital to help 805-0228 recovery, emergency steering, crash us raise funds to build our Heart avoidance techniques and threshold Safe Community! Car Seat Inspections Make an braking. Cost: $150.00 Class appointment at: Dates: 2/6/2016, 2/20/2016, 3/5/2016, Tickets available at www.southmetrofoundation.org 3/19/2016, 4/2/2016, 4/16/2016, www.southmetrofoundation.org 4/30/2016 State Farm Scholarships 1st and 3rd Wednesday – Fire Station available. #45 - 16801 Northgate Drive, Parker meets Colorado requirements for teens Driver Awareness Program 2nd and 4th Wednesday – Fire Station seeking their permit between 15 ½ -16 The 5-hour Driver Awareness Program #34 - 8871 Maximus Drive, Lone Tree Fire Threat in Unexpected Place Remote Control toy batteries have explicit directions that must be followed to avoid fire. With the rise in popularity among remote control cars, planes and other remote control toys, South Metro has seen an increase in fires started by the ignition of some of these toy's batteries. The specific battery in each fire was a lithium polymer battery. While these batteries provide great power for remote control toys, failure to follow instructions could result in a fire. For some quick tips on safety visit our website at www.southmetro.org Register Now for Citizen Academy When: April 13 to June 1 Wednesday nights from 6-10 p.m. Fireline is produced by South Metro Fire Rescue www.southmetro.org 9195 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado 80112 Applications at Contact Becky O’Guin at [email protected]

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