RFL firefighters celebrate 50 years

By Stephen Clearheart Johnson
North Forty News

Fighting fires is a tradition for the Robinson family in Red Feather Lakes. So is hosting the annual Fire Day event, coming this year on Sept. 5 with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the volunteer fire department.

Fire Chief Steve Robinson follows the footsteps of his father, Rick, who was chief during the early '70s, and his mother Audrey, who was on the force for 13 years and another 13 in the auxiliary. Together the three of them count 86 years with the department.

The family roots in the area go so far back that the cabin built by Steve's great-grandfather on the Elkhorn in the 1800s is on display in Red Feather as a museum. Audrey is also a descendant of the pioneer Flowers family.

The volunteer fire department formed in 1959, followed within months by a fire district voted in by the taxpayers. Part of the impetus for forming the group was that a new ignition source had come to town. The village got electricity in 1951 and by 1959 it had spread throughout the village. In September 1959, the volunteers rolled out to their first call, a grass fire near the old tennis courts.

In 1979 the volunteers threw a celebration of the 20th anniversary, which proved so popular that they have repeated it each year. A quaint note in the minutes in 1965 holds the first mention of fundraising. It was decided to hold a chili supper with "everyone to bring two pies."

This year the daylong celebration and fundraising will include fire truck rides, very popular with kids, a barbecue, silent auction, bake sale and a "buck-a-swing" demolition of an old car. The day will finish with a special barn dance featuring several square-dance clubs that will recreate the 1950s ambience. Awards for Citizen of the Year and Firefighter of the Year will be announced. One wag called the annual event "as much fun as you can legally have in Red Feather."

Much has changed in 50 years, but some things have not changed at all. The very first meeting recorded in its minutes the need to meet certain standards to lower community fire insurance costs. Today, Chief Robinson is counting on a new fire engine to achieve another reduction in rates.

The engine is being custom-made to Red Feather's order, and will include a forward-mount upper turret. "Great for grass fires," said Robinson.

He hopes to have the new engine on display for the coming Fire Day, but worries that delivery may be delayed. The new engine replaces one that is 30 years old.

Notes of the first meeting recorded the pending purchase of two war-surplus jeeps with trailers for $75 each from the General Services Administration. GSA would sweeten the deal by throwing in some used gas cans. Today, the new fire engine is coming with a cost of $250,000.

One major change over the years is the increased danger from fumes, paints and chemicals in materials. Robinson points out that the "level of protection is much greater than just 20 years ago." He said the most common fire problem is a failed stovepipe or electrical connection.

Although the fire department did not get its first ambulance until 1973, Robinson noted that 80 percent of the emergency calls are now for medical services. Out of 13 firefighters on the roster, five are EMTs and three are trained first-responders.

The first meeting recorded the receipt of dues from volunteers, and firefighters still pay dues to volunteer. The proceeds are used to purchase insurance in case the volunteer is injured or killed. The RFL VFD has never lost a firefighter on the job.

One major change over the years happened subtly. In 1980 the department listed its first female member, and in 1981 voted to remove the word male from the list of qualifications. Today, eight out of 13 on the roster are female.

This change also transformed the auxiliary. Originally known as the Fire Belles and composed of firefighters' wives, the group languished during the '90s but was revived as a mixed-gender group. Now under the leadership of Eunice Michalka and Shelby VanBuskirk, the volunteers work behind the scenes to clean equipment, run communications, do equipment maintenance and even plant flowers. They also hold fundraisers, including a Wildflower Cabin tour.

The revival included a new program for fire cadets, training teenagers in both firefighting and community service. The first graduate of the program to join the roster was Tess Meeks, daughter of Assistant Fire Chief Chris Meeks.

The most visible change has been in the buildings and equipment. At first they operated out of a borrowed garage. In July 1960 the department purchased a 100-by-125 lot for $750. They built a one-bay garage. To hold a meeting or training session, the vehicles had to be moved outside.

Over the years the building was remodeled and expanded to two bays, then six bays. For years the building was left unlocked, but in 1975 it was decided to secure the building to reduce pilferage. In 2004 the original building was torn down to build the current 10-bay station.

"We've seen many good things and lives saved," Audrey Robinson said in reflection. "It's been a real blessing to have been part of it."

She laughed as she recalled one winter morning when the siren went off at dawn. The firefighters hurried from the station to a cloud of smoke on Prairie Divide road, the site of a large restaurant and lodge closed for the season. When they arrived they were greeted by cooling ashes and lingering smoke; the lodge had burned to the ground overnight without a witness.

In the meantime, the brakes on the fire engine had failed. Truck and crew continued a stately roll down Prairie Divide, across 74E and into the timber.

She also takes joy in the contact with patients and families, saying, "I met a lot of really neat people."

She recalls an incident involving a vehicle rollover. They found the driver dazed and wandering around, but insisting he was alone. As she left the scene, Audrey heard a low moan from behind some rocks. There she found a critically injured young boy. Over the years the family wrote to stay in touch, including a special letter when the boy married and began a career.

Steve, Audrey and Rick all have praise for the amount of community support they receive. "Red Feather Lakes is a very caring community," said Audrey.

Indeed, the volunteer firefighters, auxiliary and board members who have served or are serving amount to one out of five of the full-time residents.