Transition to Evergreen Fire Dispatch Center

A long-awaited plan to consolidate several area fire departments’ dispatch services is moving forward and Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District is the next agency to make the change.  The move to utilize the Evergreen Fire Dispatch Center, which is expected to take place on Monday May 5, 2014 at 9:00 A.M.for ICFPD, has been in the works for several months.  The integration of radio systems, policies, training, and information management systems has required the work of many of the ICFPD firefighters and Evergreen dispatchers.

Currently ICFPD uses the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center for all dispatching of 911 responses.  Following the transfer of dispatch services, the initial call will continue to be received at the Jefferson County Dispatch Center and then transferred to the Evergreen Dispatch Center.  This allows for the continuing coordination of both law enforcement and fire department responders.

The dispatchers at the Evergreen Fire Dispatch Center, many of whom are off-duty EMTs and firefighters, will give advice and direction to the caller prior to the arrival of EMS or fire personnel. This will provide the caller with valuable information to provide supportive care to the sick or injured person.

“We continue to seek ways to improve our response times, services to the citizens and firefighter safety.  The new Dispatch Center serving multiple fire and EMS agencies is the next step in this process.” said Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Fire Chief Randy Simpson.  Simpson also added that the combined fire and EMS dispatch center will improve coordination and response between the departments.

The changes to the dispatch function are the next logical step in improving fire and Emergency Medical Services.  Chief Simpson said ICFPD firefighters look forward to the transition.  “The new dispatch center should enhance communication between fire agencies and improve the situational awareness of our firefighters,” said Chief Simpson.

The console will be set up to allow communication at four terminals.  Each terminal will have multiple computer screens to monitor fire and EMS activity.  To start the consolidation process, the fire department began an intensive process of information transfer to the Evergreen Dispatch Center in 2013.

"This has been a lot of hard work from members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center, the Evergreen Dispatch Center, and the staff of ICFPD working collaboratively," said Simpson. "It's been a great team effort.  Thanks to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center for their decades of service to our citizens and firefighters."

Career Day at West Jefferson Middle School

Today firefighters from Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District joined Elk Creek Fire Department, as well as mountain area businesses and other Jefferson County agencies, at the West Jefferson Middle School’s annual Career Day. The event is used to educate the eighth-grade students on different career paths that are available to them, education requirements of those fields and average salaries. Students were able to get hands-on demonstrations of firefighting and EMS equipment. Students tried on firefighting bunker gear (protective clothing) and SCBA’s. 

Former ICFPD Fire Chief pleads guilty

 

This morning former Fire Chief of the ICFPD David MacBean pled guilty to two counts theft plus embezzlement. Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2014, 1500 hours.  Please see Press Release from DA:

 

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Jefferson and Gilpin Counties

Peter A. Weir, District Attorney

 

NEWS RELEASE

April 7, 2014

Pam Russell, Public Information

303-271-6905

 

 

Former Volunteer Fire Chief Pleads Guilty to Theft of over $600,000

 

David Roy MacBean, 41, appeared in Jefferson County District Court today and pled guilty to stealing over $600,000 from the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District during the time that he served as their volunteer Fire Chief.

 

MacBean pled guilty to two counts of Theft - $20,000 or more (F3) and one count of Embezzlement (F5).  

 

Between January 2010 and March 2013 MacBean madeunauthorized purchases in the amount of $647,351 using the Fire Protection District’s credit card and bank accounts. MacBean made numerous purchases through PayPal, Amazon.com, at Big R and at various other retail merchants for his personal use.

 

He was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury in October, 2013.

 

As volunteer Fire Chief, David MacBean was responsible for theoverall supervision of operations for the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, subject to the direction of the board of directors.  This included the operation of the fire department, hiring and managing of staff and assisting in preparing the annual budget.

 

The Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District is funded by mill levy property taxes.

 

Sentencing has been set forJune 24 at 3:00.  MacBean agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $647,351.59 as ordered by the court. He remains out on $40,000 bond.