The West Douglas County Fire Protection District provides fire and emergency medical services to approximately 54 square miles of rural Douglas County, Colorado. The District extends from the area of Cherokee Ranch and Sedalia along US 85, west along State Highway 67 into Pike National Forest beyond Sprucewood. Subdivisions within the District include Hockaday Heights, Lambert Ranch, Horseshoe Ranch, Indian Creek, Oak Valley, Stoneridge, and Nighthawk Hills (Click for District Map)
In addition to fire protection, the WDCFPD also provides…
- Emergency medical services
- Hazardous materials response
- Rescue services
- Public awareness and education
- Inspections and fire prevention
Under state law, the District is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors, elected to four-year terms by the residents and property owners of the District. Directors receive no pay or retirement benefits.
The District was formed in 1980 by combining existing volunteer fire departments in Sedalia, Indian Creek, and Jarre Canyon. The Department remains an all-volunteer organization. District tax revenues fund equipment, facilities, operations, maintenance, insurance, and administrative expenses. The District also contributes to a state-supplemented pension plan for volunteer firefighters.
The District has 14 emergency vehicles and more than 45 volunteer members operating from four unmanned stations.
Medical emergencies account for roughly 75% of the District’s calls. The District is certified for Basic Life Support (BLS) – both first response and also transport – in coordination with doctors and staff at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. Advanced Life Support (ALS) and transport services are provided through mutual aid agreements with adjacent fire districts. At least one ALS unit, usually from South Metro Fire Rescue, is immediately and automatically dispatched to every medical call within the District. District personnel are also trained and equipped to bring in heliborne ALS and transport when needed.
The District’s fire protection is also largely dependent on forces outside the Department. Fire protection in Sedalia and Indian Creek is enhanced by fire hydrants provided by those areas’ water districts. Water storage tanks and sprinkler systems are helpful elsewhere. Mutual aid, including tanker support, is available from adjacent fire districts.
Much of the District is prone to wildfire that could rapidly become a federally-managed incident and, especially in these areas, wildfire mitigation efforts taken ahead of time by individual property owners could prove critical.
