Rattlesnake Fire Protection District

The Rattlesnake Fire Department (RFD) was established in 1983 and provides fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of North West Elbert County, Colorado. The Rattlesnake Fire Protection District covers 66 square miles with 2 full time staff / 7 part time and 45 volunteers with 4 stations and training facility. Rattlesnake Fire is also very proud to say that we qualify for an ISO 5 designation, saving its citizens on fire insurance.

Elbert County Press Release

Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap and the Elbert County Fire Chiefs Association recommended and supported the decrease from Stage III to a Stage II burn restriction with the new moisture in our local area.

Elbert County, CO — May 9, 2012 Elbert County Commissioners listened to the recommendation from Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap and the Elbert County Fire Chiefs Association from the Office of Emergency Management at the regularly scheduled hearing of the Board of County Commissioners today. The official recommendation was to reduce the current burn restriction from Stage III to Stage II effective immediately.

The recommendation followed a report issued to Emergency Management from Fire Marshal Gerczynski, with the Elizabeth Fire Protection District, showing positive increase from the Remote Automated Weather Station or RAWS. The report shows an increase in humidity, moisture levels, and a decrease in fire related energy release. Officials will continue to monitor fire data regularly and make appropriate advisories on the current conditions as warranted for needed changes to the County burn restrictions.

Officials remind the community that with today′s reduction, Elbert County is not removed from the potential for fire danger. Residents must obtain the proper fire permitting with your local Fire Protection District to burn at your home or business. Stage II prohibit burning without approved permitting, use or sale of fireworks, and educational rockets. The restriction does allow for charcoal grills, approved portable outdoor fireplaces, welding and hot work.. Contact Elbert County Emergency Management or your local Fire Department with related questions on Ordinance 06-01 or Burn Ban. For more information on what is allowed and what is banned go to www.elbertcounty-co.gov/dept_emergency.php

Safety crews remind everyone that we must be careful during dangerous wildfire days and use added precaution moving into spring and summer. The mixture for dangerous fire weather includes high temperatures, low humidity, and heavy winds. Be sure to sign up for reverse notification on Code Red to receive critical messages to your home telephone, cellular telephone and email or text in the event you are ever needed to evacuate during wildfires. You can find the link at www.elbertcounty-co.gov titled "Code Red" located on the left side of the screen. Be sure to follow Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter for links and information to all the available information outlets.

Need a tax deduction, or just want to see your car cut to pieces and lit on fire? WE ARE LOOKING FOR CARS FOR DONATION!! If you have a vehicle you don't want (running or not) we will use it for training. All submitted vehicles need to have the title. If interested in donating a vehicle, please call the station for more information.

Our Mission

The mission of the Rattlesnake Fire Protection District is to mitigate our customers' fire and medical emergencies with competence and compassion; and to educate our residents through comprehensive prevention programs.

Letter from the Chiefs

The members of the Rattlesnake Fire Protection District proudly serve the citizens of North West Elbert County with dedication and professionalism. Day or night, in good weather or in bad, the volunteers who comprise your Rattlesnake Fire Department are always ready to respond rapidly to a variety of emergencies whether it be fire, medical, traffic accidents, hazardous materials, or a citizen in need of assistance. The members of the Rattlesnake Fire do an average of 16 hours a month in training to train the new recruits and to keep the rest sharp and ready for the next emergency call. We are very proud of their efforts, and as the Fire Chiefs we will do our best to ensure that this agency continues to meet and exceed expectations.

This web site will allow you, the citizen's of North West Elbert County, access to information such as fire season warnings, upcoming activities, community education, and volunteer recruitment information. Anyone interested in volunteering with Rattlesnake Fire and giving back to your community please feel free to contact us or stop by and pay us a visit. We appreciate your continued interest & support is Rattlesnake Fire. If you have any questions or comments about our organization and / or services feel free to give us a call at 303-841-8111.

Sincerely,
Chief Bryan Bowen
Operations Chief Cass Kilduff