Meet the team: Posse members are the finest folks in Teller County

Support of NoFloCo by community member

I first learned about NoFloCo from my neighbors who had Don and Toni Moore come to their house and evaluate their property for fire mitigation. Once I heard how a group of people came out for FREE and helped get rid of forest debris plus other fuel that would feed a wildfire, I wanted to be a part of this group.

I attended a work session where I was on “stick pickup.” The welcoming atmosphere and camaraderie of this group of people was contagious! I loved being outside and doing something helpful and worthwhile for others. It made me very happy to see people working together for a common goal – to help save our neighborhoods from burning down as a result of wildfires. To see the gratitude and thankfulness of the homeowners was even more rewarding. Most of the homeowners we have helped either can’t do most of the work themselves, or they can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to have professionals come out and mitigate their property.

I have been fortunate to attend (thanks to a grant that Toni obtained) the Colorado Fire Camp in Salida where I received, for free, 32 hours of basic training: S-130 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service. During this course, we were able to learn about how wildfires move and spread as well as how to shelter ourselves in case we were caught in the middle of a wildfire. The field day and shelter deployment were incredibly useful!

The best part of NoFloCo for me is the training, helping others in the area with clearing their properties of ladder fuel and dead trees, and making new friends. Plus, some mighty fine cooks provide food after we complete a project while we have a summary meeting of what was accomplished. It feels great to be part of such a positive, helpful organization, and I am honored and blessed to be a member of the NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse.

I am extremely distressed by the recent order by “Fire Marshall” Mikesell banning the group’s work in Teller County. I don’t understand why he is so against something helpful, beneficial for many, and healthy for our homes and neighborhoods. Not being able to get outside and being productive by helping others protect their homes is a very low blow for me. It’s almost like being shot for no reason. I would strongly encourage Sheriff or Fire Marshall Mikesell to attend a NoFloCo activity and see for himself the good this group is doing instead of shutting us down without even knowing the scope and sequence of our activities.

Jody A. Rodine, Florissant