Hi Meadow Lesson 4

Self-evident, I know; but how many districts really have pursued a relationship with those districts which border them?

For Colorado D6, we have on our borders D23, D24 (right at the tiny town of Deckers, known the world over as a premier flyfishing spot), D15, D14, D8 and more. When the Hi Meadow Fire broke out, there was confusion about coordination with D23.

Since the fire was in D6, and wholly (at first) within the Platte Canyon Fire Protection District, it was the Platte Canyon Fire Department that initially responded to the incident. Moreover, since we in D6 have no real relationship with the fire department, they didn't activate D6.

However, due to the nature of the terrain and conditions at the time, the fire blew up, and Platte Canyon called for mutual aid. This activated the fire departments within Jefferson County, who do have a good relationship with D23. Hence, when the call for mutual aid went out, D23 arrived on scene (before I got there), and started to do their thing. It all worked out fine, but there certainly was some confusion at first.

Bottom line: take care to know your surrounding districts, and, if at all possible, attend each others' meetings from time to time. Being familiar with your neighbors allows for a greater effectiveness.