President of the Evergreen Fire Board & his thoughts

The following is a letter from George Kling, President of the Evergreen Fir Department Board of Directors on his views of the Recall Election:


A few of my thoughts regarding petitions for a recall election of members of the Fire Department Board of Directors:


o A recall election is estimated to cost over $70,000 of taxpayer money.

o The current plan of recalling three directors now and two in the future could possibly drive two elections - doubling this cost.

o This threat is over a single issue of improving a training facility that has been used in the current location since the mid 80’s.

o The facility will be used weekly for training just as the current inadequate facility has been used.

o Local quality training is important to maintain our exceptional volunteer firefighting force.

o Unlike administering CPR which I consider a high frequency- low risk skill, interior fire rescue and fire attack is a low frequency-high risk skill. Low frequency, high risk skills require hands on regular training to gain and maintain competency. The skills are not gained at the time of need.

o The Fire Board of Directors are on record as having acknowledged these training needs since the 90’s, but timing was driven by funding priorities.

o Opponents of this training facility have requested that NO training be performed at the station in Bergen Park. The current Board of Directors as well as the Officer Corp of the Fire Department believes the above position would over time lead to the loss of our volunteer workforce.

o In my opinion, loss of our exceptional volunteer force would increase district expenses substantially and potentially reducing service. Currently, the volunteers respond from every corner of the 125 sq. mile district. This diverse response allows for early medical care as well as quick intervention on many emergencies.

o The Board has made concessions to mitigate the impacts of the training building. Planting trees to break up the appearance, reducing the height of the facility, not burning but 12 times a year and not “renting“ the facility to outside organizations. The exterior is designed to blend in with the other adjacent buildings.

The Board in, conjunction with the volunteer firefighters, has made modifications to the building plans to greatly mitigate the impact on the surrounding area. The burn material has been changed to a low-smoke product. To compensate the training will incorporate theatrical smoke generating machines inside the burn rooms which will be inside the building.


If being "green" appeals to you. I believe all emissions from our limited training will be offset by less emissions as a result of reduced fire property loss, due to better trained firefighters. Look around your house and garage at what is released in the average house fire.


The facility is to fulfill the needs of the operational responders of the district while answering the call of the citizens.


The cost as been queried? My math: Apply your own hourly wage to round trip "down the hill" most Monday nights. Add a little for "volunteer time away from family" premium. We have about 90 volunteer firefighters. And the $500,000 structure has a 50 year warranty, I won’t speculate on the useful life.


Our operational experts, the officer corp of the firefighters, identified the need for an improved training facility in the 90's, therefore, any future board will have this same request with ample justification. Any board will need to be prepared to defend a decision of NO for life.

I believe we all agree that our department has provided a remarkably exceptional service to each of us.

Colorado Statutes have minimal requirements to initiate a recall election. Once the petition requirements are satisfied, the election is scheduled and expenses incurred. I can respect your position with respect to statutes as well as this facility. I just wanted you to know the details from my perspective. If you have chosen to sign the petition and wish your signature to be removed, this may be done by written request.

Thanks for your time and attention.

George Kling

Thanks for your thoughts.

Apparently enough don't agree and thus a recall.

Expensive yes, but sometimes it has to happen.

The Evergreen firefighters put their lives on the line with every fire they go to and most are volunteers.

It makes me very sad that the community is not supporting that they have a place to train.

The recall is stupid and will cost Evergreen money.

Just my two cents.

So glad to see some discussion.

I have family on both sides of the issue. What I appreciate and admire most is that those who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the decisions of the Evergreen Fire Board are using lawful and legal means to remove some and get others on the Board who reflect more of their thinking.

Not everyone is happy with the Board's decision, even with some good compromises. It will be the entire Evergreen Fire District who will decide if they agree with the Board or those who chose to recall.

Expensive yes, but sometimes that is the only way it becomes apparent to everyone what the Ev Fire District people want.

Yes, however less than 1% of the total population of Evergreen is forcing us to waste $70,000 to $140,000 in tax funds....money that you and I pay, just because they did not fully get their way.

Spazcat wrote: Yes, however less than 1% of the total population of Evergreen is forcing us to waste $70,000 to $140,000 in tax funds....money that you and I pay, just because they did not fully get their way.

Ok let me get this straight. A building that is going to cost many thousands of dollars and is a danger because of location is objected to by some besides other concerns and they choose the right to follow proper procedure to recall some of the board for their vote and you are complaining because it is going to be expensive? Sorry Spazcat, any chance of convincing me just went down the tubes. They have a legal right. If they get the proper number of signatures and follow all the requirements then there should be a recall and the residents of Ev fire district can vote and make their voices heard. Whether it is in the Board's favor or for those calling for the recall will then become very clear.

And just out of outright curiosity how do you know that it is only 1% of the Ev population?

How is it a danger?

Good question Photo-fish. IMO it looks as though the fire department attempted to resolve some of the issues regarding danger. However there is no guarantee that there wouldn't be live smoke ever or other issues and it being next to a school and housing community presents a danger. Another location in the fire district away from schools and housing would make more sense. But that would be something that will have to be decided by the Ev residents and their board.

The training would not be held during school hours. They already have a history of "live" fire training at this facilities location. Seems they just want to improve it.

Photo-fish wrote: The training would not be held during school hours. They already have a history of "live" fire training at this facilities location. Seems they just want to improve it.

Understood PF. I have been through the pros and cons, although not on this board so very glad we are discussing.

So it used to be only a small fire practice facility. Now they want to make it bigger. And then down the road they will want to have real fire to make it realistic or something else. It doesn't stop. If it wasn't next to a school and a lot of homes I would be very much in favor. And frankly I think it was an error for homeowners who bought in the area not to check this out before purchasing. But be that as it may, if people go through the proper procedures and want to remove Board members, some of whom I think a lot of, then so be it. The residents of the EV Fire District will decide.