The newest volunteer fire department recently acquired ” equipment. According to Amanda, left, and Dale Eckdahl, the local volunteers and fire department will host an auction this June 30th 2007 starting at 10 am to raise the money needed to build a facility to house the vehicles and miscellaneous equipment during the winter.

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UPDATE 8/24/07. With contracts being signed and the great effort of many we are now in the process of getting the Fire House completed and finished within 90 days by Stouffer Construction of Laramie. The foundation work started this week and should be ready to build on in about 30 days. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the building. 

UPDATE 11/24/07: The fire house is 95% complete with engine 9 already being stored inside with heat. The final stages in getting the dry wall finished and the back-up generator hooked up. Stouffer Construction has done an outstanding job in getting this project accomplished. A big thanks goes out to the crew.

June 2008 Update: Building in now 100% complete and housing all emergancy response vehicles.

Engine #9 is now being updated with a new fire package and should be ready in the next few weeks. We do have another engine here until this one is done.                                  

 

 

7/19/07

 This years fundraiser-Auction was another successes with almost two hundred people and well over 100 donated items.

 The team effort from the 30+ volunteers and firefighters, this years fundraiser-Auction was nothing less than a great job well done.

 The action included a slow roasted pig ,homemade pies, balloon pop to the ATV raffle. With all of this as well the needed extra donated funds including the generous donation from the Dick Base memorial, we raised and cleared over $21,000.

 With this we also have been approved $108,000 for a matching funds grant that will help erect the new fire house.

  The latest word is that this was the last year needed for big fund raisers. Thank you all for the support in the last four years. 

  Amanda, Kenny and I will continue our dedicated training and response to where ever we are needed.

 

Volunteer fire department needs a boost: posted: April 24th, 2007

 Shiny red fire trucks are great to look at in summer parades, but volunteer fire departments need a place to store them for the winter. That is why Volunteers of all kinds are hosting an auction this June 30th 2007 to help raise money for a firehouse.

The WyColo volunteer fire department has a responsibility for almost 400 structures and cabins. Hundreds of people live or have cabins here which includes Fox Park, Mountain Home, WyColo, Foxboro, Ox Yoke, Wold Trac, Lake Creek,Elton creek and other  individual cabins. They raised money from the  auctions  to pay for equipment and have saved some to begin to build a firehouse. 

Now the rush is on to house the equipment before another winter takes grip. The WyColo Fire department has a 1999 Fast Attack fire truck for quick fire response, a 1996 rescue vehicle and a 1970 pumper that disperses 1,290 gallons of water per minute.

In addition to the vehicles, there is rescue equipment and medical gear that also needs to be stored.

“The state has leased the department a half-acre of land to build on,” said Dale Eckdahl, one of the volunteer firefighters. “Now it is up to us to get something built.”

Last years fund raiser yielded enough to purchase a 30X40 steel building which only was enough for the building, not to erect it. Mike Schmidt, a volunteer for the department has dedicated himself to write a state grant to help offset the high cost of erecting  the building. If the grant is approved,we will get much needed items to go along with the building. Just some of the items would be a very cost effective underground heating system, water storage for quickly filling fire trucks and very well insulated building to just list a few upgrades that normally couldn't be purchased with just donations.

The fire trucks need to be kept at 50 degrees in the winter to be operable, said Eckdahl. If they are not kept at that temperature, the water needs to be drained from the truck. Refilling the trucks adds to response time in case of an emergency.

The communities served by the new fire department are primarily five housing associations in the area, but Eckdahl stressed that anyone who comes to or through the area benefits from the multi task station.

“This station helps more than just the people who live around here,” said Eckdahl. “Anyone who comes to hike, bike, hunt or fish can be aided by us. We help everyone who lives or comes to this area. Our department will aid in fire-rescue, motor vehicle ATV and motorcycle accidents as well as 15 miles of hwy 230 response. We also fill a need by assisting in medical calls on the 20+ miles of Rails to Trails recreation area here.”

Eckdahl estimates the upstart fire station has decreased response time in the area by a minimum of a third. Once a 911 call is made, they now can start to respond in two to three minutes. Previously, fire trucks or medical had to come from the Harmony station , which meant at least 30 to 40 minutes before arrival.

All of the WyColo volunteers are federal trained to fight forest and protect house fires in the woods. Kenny, one of the firefighters is also a certified U.S. Forest Service "sawyer," meaning he can cut trees.

Donations from as far away as all of Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska  comprise the items available for bidding.

 WyColo Lodge is located at milepost 40 on Highway 230. For additional information, Please contact Dale or Amanda at WyColo Lodge at 307- 755-5160 or info@wycololodge.com

THANK YOU TO ALL !

We have been blessed  with the help of many generous people, fire departments and companies from all around the United States. With this, we have a fully functional volunteer fire-medical department. 

Dale Eckdahl-