Updated Thursday, July 31, 2008

Welcome to the




Our Objective

“Elimination of Hazards”

 

 

The Fort Lupton Fire Protection District Extrication Team was formed in 2007 by a group of seven members in order to improve an already well trained fire department in the challenges faced in vehicle extrication. A vehicle extrication is required when due to the tremendous gravitational forces experienced during a vehicle crash causes the driver or occupants to become entrapped in the vehicle due to the twisted and collapsed passenger compartment, steering wheel, or dash. This requires extraordinary actions utilizing tools such as the "Jaws of Life", rams, or other tools to free the occupants from the vehicle. Some extrications can be very complicated due to hazards and obstacles encountered and they may take long periods of time to perform. The longer the patient remains in the car, critical treatment of the injuries cannot be performed and the "Golden Hour" (getting the patient to the hospital within the first 60 minutes after the accident) slips away, reducing the chances of survival. In the competition, the teams are challenged with very difficult extrications and they are given 20 minutes to safely remove the patient from the twisted wreckage. The Fort Lupton Fire Extrication Team motto is "From Darkness to Daylight in 20 Minutes or Less."

Every member of the department receives basic extrication training but the commitment to this team went way beyond the required minimums. The Fort Lupton Fire Department opened up the team to any member of the department who wished to volunteer for the extra time and training commitment.  They included Team Captain Fire fighter Carl Craigle, Lieutenant Brandan Brauch, Firefighters James Mayor, Mike Wisneski, Nick Rauch, Lee Crowe, and Daquri Mintle. In September 2007, the team entered their first competition in Berthoud, Colorado. They represented the department well and finished the competition first overall and qualified for the T.E.R.C. (Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee) National Competition in Chili, New York scheduled for June 2008. The team consistently trained for the next nine months devoting numerous training hours to the team and the community. With the help of the community the team was able to utilize junked cars from two local towing companies. They would like to thank M and B Towing and Elliot's Towing for donating the cars and the transportation to and from the station to help keep the crews and equipment available in case of a true emergency in the community.

On June 22, 2008, the team traveled to New York and competed against 30 of the most experienced and well trained departments in the United States and Canada. The team participated in several training opportunities and then competed on June 26, 27, and 28, 2008. In the use of the hydraulic tools, they finished in first place out of the entire field of fire departments from across the United States. They also finished second in the International Competition which included teams from the United States and Canada. The Fort Lupton Fire Protection District is proud of the fact that in their first competition the team accomplished such high achievements. The most rewarding factor is that these highly trained individuals are responding in the Fort Lupton Community and that if you are involved in and accident and trapped in a vehicle, 20 minutes can be an eternity. Although, you can be confident that they will be there quick and provide you with the most highly trained individuals to get you out of the vehicle safely.  

On the evening of Saturday, June 21, 2008, a very serious and later tragic, accident occurred on Highway 52 just east of Fort Lupton. The accident included a head on collision involving two cars followed by a third vehicle crashing into the scene before the arrival of rescue crews due to limited visibility from the darkness.

 A female driver of a Toyota, who was later transported by helicopter, was found in the driver’s seat of a significantly damaged car involved in the head on collision, was pinned in the vehicle by the dash and steering wheel. Upon their arrival, firefighters and paramedics quickly determined that she had a pulse and began working to extricate her from the wreckage. With six other patients, resources were taxed. Three individuals, Firefighter Shaffer, Captain Tamlin, and Assistant Chief Alexander began extrication as other firefighters attended to other patients and hazards on scene. After approximately 40 minutes, the patient was successfully removed from the wreckage and quickly flown to Denver Health. Based upon the expedient and diligent actions of these three individuals, the patient survived this accident. There were seven patients involved in the accident. One was not injured, two were transported by ambulance, two were transported by helicopter, and sadly two children, ages four and five did not survive the accident.

 Firefighter Shaffer, Captain Tamlin, and Assistant Chief Alexander each will receive a life saving commendation bar that they can proudly display on their uniform and they have been awarded  the Green Cross of Life Award presented by Hurst Rescue Tools.

 Many ordinary emergency workers on scene completed extraordinary accomplishments this night in June. Their actions made a significant impact upon our community and we should all be very proud of them.

 

It is tornado season for some information follow the link below.

tornado with debris

Greg Stumpf

 

Mission statement:

To provide a professional service to those in a time of need with a sense of integrity, pride, and compassion for well being.

In case of emergency CALL 911.

 

Non-emergency Weld County Dispatch Number- 970-356-4000 Ext. 4240

MAILING ADDRESS: For the Department

Fort Lupton Fire Department

1121 Denver Avenue

Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Phone Number: 303-857-4603            Fax: 303-857-6619

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 Administration Office
Located behind Station 1 through the gate
1121 Denver Avenue Fort Lupton, CO 80621
The Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. 

Station 1
1121 Denver Avenue
Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Station 2/Training Center
2999 9th Street

The Fort Lupton Fire Department is comprised of a career Fire Chief, career Fire Marshal, career Training Captain, 2 office staff, maintenance staff, 20 volunteers, 20 Reserve Firefighters, and 7 career Firefighters. All personnel are required to complete a fire academy and first responder medical course as part of the conditions of being a member. Additional training is provided as your longevity increases. The department has modern equipment that includes four thermal imaging cameras, ice rescue equipment, rope rescue, a 100 foot Pierce Platform Truck, four class A Engines, two Rescue trucks with extrication equipment (“Jaws of Life”), four Tenders, three Brush trucks, and several other support vehicles. We operate from two stations, which includes a brand new station, burn tower, and training facility located at 2999 9th Street. This station was put into service on December 28, 2004. The Weld County Ambulance Paramedic 3 unit and crew are housed here and respond to calls in South Weld County out of this Station

 The Fire Marshal provides public education and prevention programs, counsels juvenile fire setters, conducts inspections of businesses, investigations of all fires, provides free smoke detectors to families in need, and oversees the storage and handling of hazardous materials. Tours and other information can be obtained by calling 303-857-4603.

COMMUNITY NOTE:

The Fire District would like to thank the community for all of the support it has provided to us and we hope it reflects in the quality of service we provide.