Dear interested Community Member,
Thank you for your interest in joining the North Routt Fire Protection District Volunteer Program. Your interest shows that you would like to take a positive step in helping your community when they need you most. Your commitment to making your community a better and safer place will consume a significant portion of your free time, but rest assured, it will be worth it.
Our organization started as the Clark Ambulance Service in 1974 out of the realization that relying on services from Steamboat Springs, or transporting critically injured neighbors in the back of pickup trucks, was not the best the community could do for one another. In 1981 a group of citizens formed the Elk River Concerned Citizens, Inc. to consider the possibility of forming the North Routt Fire Protection District. Concerns about how to provide stable funding for equipment and training for the Department prompted this action. The property owners voted for the formation of the North Routt Fire Protection District in 1983, and we are all part of that district today. In 2001, the voters of the district overwhelmingly approved a bond referendum which provided the funding to build and equip Station 2. Today, that is the location of our primary training facility, the district office, a community day-use room, and the upstairs dorm-like rooms our full-time staff while they are on shift. In 2004, voters approved a mil levy increase to fund the full-time Chief's position. A big step was taken in 2022, after seeing the call volume ratchet up, and some of the long-tenured volunteers ease gracefully into retirement. NRFPD hired its first three "full-time" members. As the landscape of volunteering has shifted, and the District has seen a steady increase in visitors, 40 hour work weeks became 48-96 shift work for the full-time staff, and there are currently four full-time paid positions across A, B, and C shifts. C shift also has a permanent part-timer, and then there is the chief. While the department has continued to shift to meet the demands of the district, the volunteer program for North Routt will always be a huge asset to the team members.
In order to become a member of the Fire Department, you must have a valid Colorado Driver's License and have a background check completed. To achieve "Active" status, you must reside in the Fire District (minimum of 90 days a year), and complete the Probationary/Orientation program. Membership in the Department is similar to employment, only, the compensation comes from the satisfaction of serving your community.
Currently, the Department has three levels of status: Probationary, Active, and Reserve. As each status is achieved, you will be issued certain equipment for your use when you respond to calls. You will be responsible for the issued equipment, and may be asked to return it if your status changes.
You shall feel better about yourself, knowing that you are providing a much needed service to your community by helping friends and neighbors, and even visitors, when they need it most. Once again, thank you for your interest. If you have any questions about how to volunteer with NRFPD, please call 970-879-6064, stop by Station 2 and chat with any full-time staff or Chief, or email the chief directly at chief@northrouttfire.org.