HCFR Board of Directors spent time this afternoon reviewing preliminary constructions plans on our newly purchased property.

We anticipate construction will start any time around mid-April to early May, with the completion date of approximately mid-summer to early fall.

Below, the future western view from our office area.

Below, Fire Captain and Excavator discussing building placement, utilities and driveway in comparison to land topography.

This is an exciting time for High Country as we move forward with the addition of a permanent structure for our department, as well as for the benefit our rural community.

Once we begin moving the dirt, we’ll post updates of the construction progress here.

Our officers have compiled the below statistics for January 1 through December 31, 2011 with the Board of Directors approval of publication as follows:

PERSONNEL:
Firefighters – 13
EMTs – 3
Dispatchers – 4
PIO – 1
Animal Services – 7 active with 3+ in reserve

APPARATUS:
Engines – 4
Tenders/tankers – 3
Rescues – 2
Command – 1
Reserve engines – 2

CALLS FOR SERVICE = 197
Structural – 20
Medical – 110
Wild Land – 14
Traffic Accidents – 31
Citizen Assist – 10
Animal Services – 12

RESPONSE TIMES:
HCFR response area = 9.43 minutes
(Poor weather/road conditions = 13.2 minutes)
Valle area = 18.2 minutes
(Poor weather/road conditions = 23.5 minutes)

CALLS IN RESPONSE AREAS:
HCFR = 138
Valle = 49
Junipine district = 6
Williams = 2
Parks = 1
Flagstaff = 1

High Country Fire-Rescue utilizes a new communications service that allows us to send important, valuable community information directly to residents using the latest technology.

The Nixle Community Information Service allows us to create and publish messages to be delivered to subscribed residents instantly via cell phone text message and/or email.  Notifications can also be accessed online at our Nixle web page at http://local.nixle.com/high-country-fire-rescue/.

Messages may include fire, weather and traffic  alerts, as well as other relevant safety and community event information.

The service is secure, reliable and easy to use for our both rural residents and traveling public in our response area.

These messages can be sent specifically to residents registered within a ¼ mile radius, giving them the opportunity to receive trustworthy information relevant only to their neighborhood.  Residents decide from which local agencies they want to receive information.  Subscribers can also choose the way in which alerts are received, whether it is by email, text message, or over the web.

Nixle builds on the foundations of other public-to-public communication services, such as Twitter and Facebook,  but adds a key component: security.  When citizens receive information from our agency via Nixle, they know it can be trusted.

Residents on either side of Hwy 64 north of the Williams city limits up to and including the Valle area, as well as those in neighboring communities, can immediately begin receiving pertinent information via text message, email, and web by registering at Nixle (use Nixle widget in right column).

Now is the time to prepare for potential situations including receiving alert messages about situations occurring in High Country Fire-Rescue response area.  (Please note:  this is a SERVICE of HCFR and is not intended to replace the reverse 911 system provided by the county!  Please ensure your information is current and properly registered with the Coconino County 911 system.)

 About Nixle

Nixle is a community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications.  It is the first authenticated and secure service that connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and via Web access.  Nixle has secured a partnership with Nlets (the International Justice and Public Safety Network), allowing local police departments nationwide to send immediate alerts and advisories. For more information, visit www.nixle.com.

High Country’s volunteers hope your day is filled with joyful laughter, memorable family gatherngs, and a safe return to your homes. Thanks to all our neighbors and friends for their support during this past year as we look forward to the beginning of yet another phase of growth in our department.