The Cortez Fire Protection District Board has unanimously approved the purchase of fire shelters.
The purchase had been discussed at the March board meeting.
During a public comment period at the April 11 meeting, former Fire Chief Les Rogers, a candidate for the Cortez Fire Protection District Board, brought up the issue.
“If we do not have a shelter issued to everybody, you guys are negligent,” Rogers said. “I personally would hold you responsible as a taxpayer and one who has children on fire departments in Cortez. Find the money, protect these guys.”
During the discussion, Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Bittle and board members said they were seeking grants to purchase the gear.
Rodney Branson brought the issue up under new business and requested that the gear order be finalized by the following afternoon. “It is like sending them to fires without a fire hose,” he said.
Kent Lindsay asked Cortez firefighters in attendance to go through the chain of command with their request, but if the issue was not addressed, to take it to the board.
Wendy Mimiaga, administrative assistant with the district, also announced that the fire department has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Montezuma County Hospital District in the May 8 election, under the encouragement of the state.
The election will now be held at the Montezuma County Annex, at 107 N. Chestnut St., on May 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Three director positions are open, each with four-year terms. The names of the candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order: Sherri Wright (incumbent), Jan Nelson, Bradly Lynn Ray, James Bridgewater, Buck Woodman (incumbent) and Les Rogers.
