September 22, 2017  Ben Delatour Boy Scout Ranch Red Feather Lakes CO

RCVFD participated as part of a multi-agency task force for a prescribed burn operation at the Boy Scout Ranch.  Under leadership of The Nature Conservancy, we were able to introduce a healthy controlled fire of ~300 acres to the ranch.  Besides preventing a future high severity burn, the prescribed fire had many additional benefits.  These benefits included establishment of diverse wildlife habit, increases forest heath, watershed protection,  reduction of invasive species and capacity building for future burns.  RCVFD directly benefited by acquiring skills to "fight fire with fire".  Along side USFS, Poudre Canyon Fire, LCES, LSCO, CSU, Poudre River Coalition and other agencies and volunteer groups we accomplished an awesome amount of work.   Please enjoy the photos! 

Auto Extrication is a complicated process.  A patient or a number of patients are trapped in a car.  The dash is smashed in and downward due to the force of the accident.  The steering wheel has been forced down onto the legs of the driver so he is trapped also.  On top of everything the vehicle is rocking about to fall down a hill.  This is auto extrication: a skill we at the fire department hope we never have to use but it is something we practice.....

On September 10 2017,  RCVFD was fortunate to participate in this very special training by Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District PCFPD.  Before we go on... thank you Poudre Canyon Fire!!!

In the parking lot of the beautiful Shambhala Mountain Center campus,  Tony Falbo from Poudre Canyon Fire taught us some of his "jaws of life" skills as well as how to quickly and efficiently work as a team to free auto-accident victim.  From stabilizing the vehicle, punching and cutting out the windows, to cutting the posts, lifting off the roof, we used a variety of hydraulically powered tools to pry the vehicle open.  Over the course of a day we went through it all and took apart 4 cars in the process.  

We appreciate Tony and the rest of the Poudre Canyon crew for putting together an excellent training.  Neighboring fire departments training together is one of the many ways we strengthen our mountain communities.  Enjoy the photos! 

Sept 3 was the annual RCVFD festival.  We wanted to thank the hundreds of volunteers and participants that made this year's festival a huge success. The gallery of photos are from Vicky Jordan(all the good ones) and a few from Phil Benstein.

July 22, 2017 RCVFD responded to an urgent request for mutual aid to help with the Spring Glade Wildfire. The fire was located at Coyote Ridge Nature Reserve in south Fort Collins. We were able to staff a type 6 engine as well as our type 3.  Over 15 agencies were present. RCVFD was proud to be part of a strike force and fight the fire alongside our awesome partners from Glacier View VFA, Livermore VFA and Wellington FD.  Our team was led by a supervisor from Larimer County Emergency Services. At the time of these photos the fire had burned ~360 acres.   Check out some of these great pictures from Eddie Franklin,Katheryn Touran and Erik Williams!