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
.