Review the Jefferson County Emergency Evacuation Levels

EVACUATION LEVELS: Jefferson County has implemented evacuation levels for use with the public. The levels are as follows:

LEVEL 1 – A Level 1 Evacuation means be ready. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area. You should make preparation and be ready to leave, and then monitor local media outlets. Residents with special needs (such as the elderly or those with a susceptibility to breathing problems) are advised to evacuate. People with livestock or pets should consider moving them out of the area. Evacuations at this time are voluntary, but if you have concerns, evacuate now.

LEVEL 2 – A Level 2 Evacuation means leave soon. There is significant potential of danger in your area, and residents should relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. You need to leave as soon as possible.

LEVEL 3 – A Level 3 Evacuation means leave immediately. Danger in your area is current and imminent. There is no time to gather belongings. Leave immediately.

If you are concerned about a wildfire in your area, prepare for and initiate your family's evacuation early.  This is especially important if you have pets and livestock.

Rapid Intervention Team

During firefighting operations in a structural fire you may notice firefighters who appear to be all suited up, yet remain outside the active area of firefighting.  These firefighters are the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).  Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue uses the RIT approach to firefighter safety on structure fires.

Rapid Intervention Team



Nationwide, more firefighters get in trouble while fighting residential house fires than in any other kind of structure, even though fires in these structures are considered to be a relatively routine “bread-and-butter” event. The presence of plastics and synthetics in today’s lightweight structures that make up many of today’s single-family residences generates greater quantities of toxic smoke and burn with higher rates of heat release. This can result in reduced visibility, earlier flashover, fire spread, and structural collapse. Commercial occupancies also present many unique hazards, including large and unfamiliar open spaces that can lead to a lost (and out-of-air) firefighter-a situation potentially compounded by the lack of on-site fire protection equipment, such as sprinklers, needed to keep a fire from rapidly growing and trapping firefighters inside.

The idea of having a group of dedicated and specially trained firefighters standing by to “rescue the rescuers” has been embraced by most fire departments for many years. 

RIT Practicing Firefighter Rescue

Emergency Call Boxes in Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District

Emergency telephones have been installed in Deer Creek Canyon, a popular bicycle route, allowing callers to dial 911 for assistance with the touch of a single button.  Calls go directly to the 911 public safety answering point (PSAP) in the  Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center.  The phones are located in areas where cell phone service is poor to non-existent.  The telephones are an innovative and low-cost method of enhancing emergency response, using existing telephone lines. 

The call boxes are located at four locations in Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District:

Station One – 7939 South Turkey Creek Road in Morrison.  Station one is located at the intersection of South Deer Creek Canyon Road and South Turkey Creek Canyon Road.

Station Two – 10591 South Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton.  Station two is located in a steep canyon with no cell phone service.
Station Four – 13877 Grizzly Drive in Littleton.  Station four is located between West Deer Creek Canyon Road and Deer Creek Canyon Park, a popular location for hikers.

Philipsburg – Located on South Deer Creek Road at West Deer Creek Canyon Road.

Emergency Call Box

The large red telephone call boxes are prominently displayed at the front of each of the three fire stations.  The caller simply opens the call box and pushes a button to place a 911 call.  The 911 call taker is presented with a screen showing the location of the caller which will speed the arrival of emergency medical services and firefighters when help is needed.

Emergency Call Box at ICFPD Station Two

Due to the lack of cell phone coverage in Deer Creek Canyon, callers had to drive out of the canyon to call for help.  This would often delay response as the caller provides their current location rather than the location of the incident.  A key advantage of these new emergency call boxes is the fact that motorists and bicyclists do not need to know their location.  Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue can respond directly to the scene, rather than searching for the incident.

The need for an emergency telephone in the Deer Creek Canyon area was identified by residents of the area and bicyclists who use the canyon.  The Jefferson County Emergency Communications Authority funded the installation and ongoing costs of the phones
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ICFR Firefighters win Barrel Stave Race

The Firefighter Barrel Stave Race was held on Saturday, February 23, at Meyers Ranch.  ICFR, Elk Creek and Platte Canyon firefighters competed for First Place, but ICFR brought home the prize.

Controlled burn Thursday March 7 at Hwy 285 and Sourdough

A controlled burn is taking place today, Thursday March 7, at Highway 285 and Sourdough.  Expect to see smoke.

Heavy Snow Possible in Foothills

While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, regardless of where they live, are likely to face some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives. Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain.
One of the primary concerns is the winter weather's ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.
The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.

To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following:

• Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit::
  • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways.
  • Sand to improve traction.
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
  • Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
• Make a Family Communication Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). Be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

*Thanks to Ready.gov

ICFR Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher Training

All Inter-Canyon wildland firefighters are required to complete annual Fireline Safety Refresher training.  This 8-hour safety training is in addition to any National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) courses the firefighters attend in preparation for the fire season.  Fireline Safety Refresher training is provided in order to recognize hazards; mitigate risk; maintain safe practices; and to reduce accidents and near misses.  The intent of Fireline Safety Refresher training is to focus suppression and prescribed fire personnel on operations and decision making issues related to incident safety.  ICFR encourages all firefighters to attend. Information is discussed during these refreshers that are valuable to all personnel.  All ICFR wildland firefighters must be prepared to function safely and effectively in the wildland fire environment. 

ICFR follows the national training requirements for wildland refresher training.

 

Annual Fireline Safety Refresher training must include the following core topics:

 

1.      Avoiding Entrapments - Use training and reference materials to study the risk management process as identified in the Incident Response Pocket Guide as appropriate to the participants, e.g., LCES, Standard Firefighting Orders, Eighteen Watch Out Situations, Wildfire Decision Support System (WFDSS) direction, and Fire Management Plan priorities.

 

2.      Current Issues - Review and discuss identified “hot topics”.  Review forecasts and assessments for the upcoming fire season and discuss implications for firefighter safety.

 

3.      Fire Shelter - Review and discuss last resort survival including escape and shelter deployment site selection. Conduct “hands-on” fire shelter inspections.  Practice shelter deployments in windy and challenging conditions.

 

4.      Other Hazards and Safety Issues - Choose additional hazard and safety subjects, which may include SAFENET, current safety alerts, site/unit specific safety issues and hazards.  A listing of specific safety issues and topics associated with trends in the Rocky Mountain region are reviewed.