The Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department hosted a community meeting on Friday, Nov. 12, to discuss concerns about the impacts of building a fire-training facility on city-owned land near the water treatment plant. The meeting, in City Hall, also addressed how those concerns have been incorporated into the department’s standard operating procedures.
Seven people who live near the site participated and the conversations, questions and responses were productive and cordial.
The discussion explored portions of the SOP that address vehicular traffic in the neighborhood, number of training sessions per year, live burn procedure and who is permitted to use the facility.
The SOP includes the following: “Firefighters will limit traffic through the neighborhood by using seating provided in the (fire department’s) apparatus and discouraging use of private vehicles. … When traveling to and from the facility, firefighters will observe all traffic laws, maintain awareness of road conditions, and recognize that heavy apparatus and additional traffic in the neighborhood is distracting.”
According to the SOP, the department will, in an average year, schedule facility usage no more than 36 times per year, and that some periods of the year will see more use than others.
The MSFVD will not use the facility for live-burn training during red flag warnings, burn restrictions or severe weather. In addition, no accelerants will be used in the burns — no exceptions.
