Funding Our Heroes

While the Lower North Fork fire was burning, another fire sprang up in Sawmill Gulch near Genesee which threatened homes. Eight fire districts responded and this fire was thankfully put out overnight. One of the responding fire departments was Indian Hills, and unfortunately about $2,000 worth of fire hoses was destroyed during the blaze. Where does the money come from to replace equipment when it’s lost? Sometimes it comes from donors. Sometimes it comes from the firefighters own pockets.

This is the reason we have The Big Chili Cook-Off each year in Evergreen. The Big Chili raises money not only for Indian Hills, but also for the volunteer firefighters of Elk Creek, , Inter Canyon, Platte Canyon, Evergreen and  North Fork fire districts. We hope you plan on attending – you’ll have great fun, eat fantastic food and hear some rockin’ music. But please also consider donating to The Big Chili yourself. We currently have a local business that has stepped up with a matching donation. This means that if you give this month, every dollar you donate will be matched. This instantly doubles the impact of your gift. Check The Big Chili website here for more information on how to donate. Thank you to every single one of you – this event raises the money it does because of people like you!

Thank You, Heroes

This past week we’ve been reminded that we live amongst people who sacrifice every day for our good.  The Volunteer Firefighters of Elk Creek, Indian Hills, Inter Canyon, Platte Canyon and Evergreen have all joined the Volunteers from the North Fork Fire District in an effort to fight a bigger than average foe.  Wild fire has come to Colorado and our mountain area volunteers have put in many exhausting hours in the recent days and nights fighting this beast. Many homes and two lives have been lost because of extreme dryness and wind, and today we are thankful for moisture and cooler weather.

There are others in this community of volunteers who do not physically fight the fires but have chosen to sacrifice financially to support those who do. We thank business sponsors such as Aspen Park Veterinary Hospital and ESCO Construction who make supporting our Volunteer Fire Departments a priority. They are sponsoring our 2012 Chili Cook-Off which raises funds that supply equipment and training for our local volunteer fire fighters. These businesses are our heroes, too.

We are praying today for the safety and comfort of the families who have suffered loss during the Lower North Fork Wildfire, and the protection of our Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and all the others who have come across state borders to help us.  We are indebted to them and thank them for their sacrifice.  Heroes are people who do what they can whenever they’re needed regardless of the possible outcome.

Firefighter Challenge ~ for Little Ones, Too

The fun that can be had at the Big Chili Cook-off in Evergreen is endless, but one of the greatest parts of the day is the Firefighters Challenge.  This is when firefighters from each of the six local fire departments ~ Elk Creek, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Platte Canyon, Inter Canyon and North Fork ~ don their gear – coat, pants, boots, gloves, helmet, oxygen, and run an obstacle course with a rescue dummy on their back.  They have to crawl through culverts, climb ladders, chain saw through a barrier, and put out a fire, all in the heat of the day with crowds cheering at the top of their lungs.  The firefighter with the best time wins and receives a trophy to display at his fire house.  Last year Garrison Glenschork from Platte Canyon won first place and Clint Sayler, from Elk Creek came in second.  This event is sponsored by BeauJo’s Colorado Pizza, our premiere restaurant sponsor. We would also like to thank BeauJo’s for providing pizza for all our high school volunteers.

 

The fire departments run an obstacle course for the little ones prior to their own competition. This competition is for children ages two to ten, and is sure to put a smile on your face. Wendy’s sponsors the Children’s Firefighter Challenge and the fastest boy and fastest girl will receive a prize, with all others receiving a ribbon. Every child involved gets a free Frosty coupon – thanks Wendy’s!

Helmets, and Boots, and Gloves – Oh My

We all count on the fact that when we need help, and we dial 9-1-1, help will indeed come. Here in the mountains, when the crisis is a fire or medical emergency, we listen for the sirens indicating that well-trained volunteers are on their way. When these volunteers are responding to a fire, it is absolutely critical that they have the proper equipment, not only to keep them safe, but also to enable them to fight efficiently and effectively.

Here at The Big Chili, our goal is to raise the funds necessary to waylay some of the costs of protecting and equipping our firefighters. No one wants our heroes in substandard equipment, so even the most basic protection, such as gloves, must be approved by the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA approved gloves can easily cost $50-$60, but are unquestionably necessary. Depending on the firefighting conditions, boots can cost $200-$500, and a helmet that is built to withstand the heat and offer the best protection can cost another $300. When one adds to these basics all the other necessary equipment carried by a firefighter, all weighing up to eighty pounds, one quickly sees that firefighting is no easy task, and fighting safely and effectively requires funding. The Big Chili Cook-Off is about the arts, it’s about patriotism, it’s about music and food and fun. But it’s also about this – raising funds for our excellent volunteer fire departments. We consider it our privilege and our pleasure.

Snyder Creek Fire

Many of us this week saw the smoke to the south, as another Colorado wildfire burned near Kenosha Pass. The Snyder Creek fire, in Park County about three miles south of Kenosha pass was first spotted on Sunday morning, and gained strength as it was fueled by forty-mile-per-hour winds. In addition to the wind, our firefighters have had to contend with very dry conditions as most of the state is under an extreme fire danger warning. But in spite of these challenges, day by day the fire has become more contained due to the skill and efficiency of our firefighters. Thank you for keeping our communities safe!

Mr. January

Our volunteer firefighters give selflessly, frequently putting themselves in perilous situations, to protect the mountain communities we call home.  The Big Chili Cook-Off raises money to support our six mountain fire departments. Now firefighters from Evergreen, Elk Creek, Indian Hills, Inter Canyon, Platte Canyon, and North Fork are going “above and beyond” by posing for pictures that will be featured in our new volunteer firefighter calendar! Do you personally know a volunteer firefighter? Well, he could become Mr. January, or she could be the featured firefighter in June.

These fabulous calendars will be available for sale in mid-summer, for $10.  All profits will go toward our mountain fire departments. Everything will be done locally, including photographs by Camara Photography and printing by Rising Graphics. This is not only an easy way to support our fire departments, but these calendars hanging around town will serve as a gentle reminder to never take for granted the wonderful people who help make our community the special place we call home.

Spring Watch

Spring is actually here and Colorado is showing off about it.  Azure blue skies and air that feels like it is full of promises and places to go, accompanied by daylight that is stretching into the early evening is making us all feel like we are made for outdoor living again.  Soil is being turned in the beds and mulch being purchased by the truck load in anticipation of the crystal warmth of the spring sun – still just a brush of heat rather than the prickly fingers of the summer sun.  With all the grilling activities and general fun it can be easy to get careless, but the dry conditions and the windy days make the Colorado mountains ripe for fire, nearly every day bringing a new story of wild fire and homes threatened.  The volunteer firefighters in Evergreen, Elk Creek, Indian Hills, Platte Canyon, Inter Canyon and North Fork will have their hands full this spring season.  As a community we must be vigilant in our attention to potential fire danger and serious about mitigation around our homes and businesses.  Love the outdoors – enjoy the beautiful weather, always mindful that what each one of us can make a difference for all of us.

Circle of Giving

The Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival raises funds for six mountain area volunteer fire departments – Elk Creek, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Inter Canyon, Platte Canyon, North Fork, and each one of the fire departments we represent is filled with committed individuals who voluntarily defend these mountains against wild fire.  John Porter from Evergreen Fire Rescue serves as assistant to the Deputy Chief and is one of the people who works with the Big Chili Board to see that everything is in place for the day of the cook-off.  John not only came to Board meetings and helped with all the planning, but his company, WillDan Homeland Solutions gave a sizeable donation to last year’s cook-off.  People who believe in something and are willing to put their dollars behind it are why we are able to raise the money we do for our firefighters.  It is interesting and heartening that when we are working to support our volunteer departments, it is one of our Volunteer Firefighters who give to the cause.  Life is a circle of incredible incidents and amazing people.  Thank you John!

Firefighters Challenge

The fun that can be had at the Big Chili Cook-off in Evergreen is endless, but one of the greatest parts of the day is the Firefighters Challenge.  This is when firefighters from each of the six, Elk Creek, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Platte Canyon, Inter Canyon and North Fork, different fire departments don their gear – coat, pants, boots, gloves, helmet, oxygen, and run an obstacle course with a rescue dummy on their back.  They have to crawl through culverts, climb ladders, chain saw through a barrier, and put out a fire, all in the heat of the day with crowds cheering at the top of their lungs.  The firefighter with the best time wins and receives a trophy to display at his fire house.  Last year Garrison Glenschork from Elk Creek won first place and Clint Sayler, also from Elk Creek came in second.  The fire departments run an obstacle course for the kids prior to their own competition.  There is nothing quite like a three year old in a helmet and fire jacket running between the cones spraying spectators with water to put you in the spirit of the day.  It is part of the Big Chili Cook-off that gets everyone smiling and that is what it’s all about!