Boulder Fire & Rescue

Some years ago a provision was added to the Boulder Municipal Code declaring Boulder to be a nuclear free zone. The City Council followed that up with a mayors-for-peace initiative to exempt Boulder (and other cities) as a nuclear target. Whew, with that threat now reduced, we can move on to other matters.

While only the City Council can protect us from nuclear war, Boulder’s Fire and Rescue department reflects the best of how local government can actually address the other dangers. Member Monday (3/19) will feature Kim Scott as she provides an overview of the Citizens’ Fire and Rescue Academy, a series of five free sessions in the evening and one Saturday. You will find the overview session itself to be extremely informative and interactive. 

May your appetite then be whetted to consider the actual Academy. It is both  experiential and physical. You will (if you want): don a hazmat suit and work a labyrinth of pipes in a toxic release simulation; spend the Saturday session at the Boulder Reservoir and learn how to triangulate on a drowning victim, work hoses, extricate the injured from an auto accident, and practice a fast-water rescue procedure; become up close and personal with all aspects of fighting wildfires (including the deployment of the individual panic survival tent); visit most fire stations and see the operations from the inside. 

Some things just have to be experienced to be appreciated. Both David Bright and I, Academy alumnae, will be pleased to provide lots of color commentary.

- Steve Smith.