JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — Three fire departments in the Jefferson County foothills are joining forces to create a new, unified agency aimed at improving response times and efficiency in a region known for its challenging terrain.
North Fork, Elk Creek and Inter-Canyon fire protection districts have received approval to merge by the end of the year, forming a new Conifer Fire Department.
North Fork Chief Curt Rogers, who will lead the new organization, says the merger will allow the combined department to save money, hire more full-time firefighters and reduce their reliance on volunteers. The result will be quicker response times for emergencies in the mountainous region.
"This is a very dangerous situation that we have in the mountain areas here," Rogers said. “Any large event that we go to, we are dependent on each other. If we go to a structure fire or a large wildland fire, it's almost a given that we're going to have to call each other for help.”
Under the current system, the three departments frequently rely on mutual aid agreements to assist each other, which can cause delays in dispatching and coordinating resources.
The merger is expected to streamline operations, allowing for faster deployment of resources.
Inter-Canyon Chief Skip Shirlaw says the majority of people in the community have supported the merger, but he says change isn’t always easy.
“Change is scary, and we get that,” Shirlaw said. “It's sometimes scary for us as well, but we understand that and truly believe this is what's best for our community.”
"Most people don't really care what's on the side of the truck as long as we can provide the service," Rogers said.
The consolidation is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024, with operational changes beginning in 2025.