Copper Mountain Fire Department

Today Copper Mountain has some 2,450 acres available for skiing and snow boarding in the winter as well as hiking, bicycling and other activities during the summer. The resort itself is currently owned by Intrawest a worldwide leader in resort operations and development. Seeing an average of 280-inches of snow each year, skiers enjoy 125 ski trails that are serviced by twenty-two separate lifts. There are thirty-nine different facilities for lodging as well as twenty-one restaurants and bars and more than thirty shops and other facilities such as a golf course and ice skating rink that attract people to such an area and provide the full gamut of pleasure when not skiing

Although the ski area originally opened in 1971, it wasn't until 1973 that a fire department was established. At that time, the department was covered by volunteers all of which were employees at Copper Mountain Resort. Their first piece of apparatus was used American LaFrance pumper. In 1977 they received their first new rig, a Ford C-model with Emergency One bodywork featuring a 750 GPM pump and 500 gallon tank. In 1981, Emergency One delivered a second pumper to Copper Mountain. Like the Ford it was painted lime green, however this unit was based on a Hendrickson chassis with a canopy cab. It had a 1500 GPM pump and 500 gallon tank. As the area continued to grow, several multiple story buildings were constructed for lodging. With the closest aerial device some ten miles away in Frisco, Copper Mountain obtained a used American LaFrance Century quint equipped with a 75-foot rear mounted aerial from the Salt Lake City area.

Today the Copper Mountain Fire Department has eight paid personnel and twenty-four volunteers. Paid positions include a Chief, Assistant Chief, three lieutenants and three engineers. They operate on a three platoon system working a 48-on/96-off schedule and are supplemented by the volunteers with the on-duty force typically being four personnel. Together they provide fire and first-responder emergency medical service to the residents and guests of Copper Mountain Resort. They also provide coverage to an area outside the premises covering 136 square miles of largely undeveloped forest including the I-70 corridor west to the top of Vail Pass and east to Officer's Gulch, as well as Highway 91 south of the resort to the top of Climax Pass. In 2004, Copper Mountain Fire Department responded to 491 alarms.

The current fleet of apparatus provides an interesting mix of units all constructed by Sutphen that is nothing short of unique. The backbone of the fleet is a pair of pumpers that were delivered during 1997 and 1998. In an effort to have the residents and visitors of Copper Mountain better identify with their fire department it was decided that these rigs would be painted in a striking metal flake copper color.

Engine 813 is the 1998 model and operates one of only handful of Sutphen custom pumpers equipped with four-wheel-drive capabilities. This unit was constructed at Sutphen's East facility located in Monticello, New York and features a high suspension four wheel drive conversion by Marmon-Herrington to ensure mobility during the snowy winter season. The rear body is constructed of stainless steel and features roll up compartment doors. It was decided to paint the doors to bring the copper color to the rear of the apparatus and provide contrast against the stainless body which is unpainted. Engine 813 features an extended cab to accommodate an EMS compartment inside. The firefighting package is comprised of a 1500 GPM pump, 500 gallons of water and 15 gallons each of Class A and B foam for use with the Akron eductor system. The system permits the foam to be discharged through the front bumper discharge. In addition to the standard suction inlets and discharge outlets, the front and rear suctions are actually dual purpose. They are plumbed from the pump in three-inch terminating with five-inch Storz fitting and with the flip of a switch at the pump panel, they can be used as outlets. Another unusual feature on this rig is raised/side-mounted pump panel. This particular feature provides the safety and visibility of a conventional top mount pump panel without the increase in wheelbase and overall length created by the walk through area. Further reducing this space is the fact that the pre-connected cross lay compartments are stacked rather than being side by side.

Engine 813 carries a standard complement of NFPA engine company equipment as well as an Amkus extrication package with cutters, spreaders and rams. It also features a Night Scan 4000 watt light tower on the cab roof powered by an AMPS 8kW hydraulic generator, has a pre-piped deck gun with an Apollo Hi-Riser and features ground ladders stored in the rear next to the hose bed. Engine 813 responds first-out during the winter months and on any situation requiring all-wheel drive access.

Although similar in outward appearance due to its paint scheme, Engine 814 is a completely different rig. This two wheel drive pumper was actually built at Sutphen's main facility in Ohio during 1997 and is constructed of extruded aluminum. It features a standard length cab that has a three-inlet monitor mounted on the cab roof. The rear body is painted and by carrying the copper paint back on the body, the aluminum roll up doors were left unpainted. It has the same firefighting package and other features as Engine 813, however it carries 35 gallons each of Class A and Class B foams. During the summer months, Engine 814 responds first-out carrying the extrication equipment that is carried on Engine 813 during the winter.

Truck 818 is a unique Sutphen rebuild of a 1969 model that formerly served Wayne, New Jersey. During the rebuild process, it received a brand new Sutphen cab that features rear entry cab doors. A complete aerial rebuild and recertification was completed along with new bodywork. It has a1500 GPM pump 300 gallon tank and 85-foot aerial platform. Delivered and titled as a 1996 model it is painted white over red. It replaced the American LaFrance which proved to have significant problems with the aerial device.

The final piece of apparatus operated by the Copper Mountain Fire Department is something that most people wouldn't expect to come out of the Sutphen plant. Delivered in 1998, it is based on a 1997 AM General Hummer. Squad 809 is designed as a multiple purpose unit that responds first out on emergency medical calls and can be used as a command post, for off-road access where conventional apparatus cannot reach as well as for ground cover fires. Painted red, it features a 2000 watt Night Scan light tower on the cab roof that is powered by an inverter. An aluminum enclosure was fabricated by Sutphen for the rear body is painted white and actually has a seating position for a third firefighter. This area can be used as a mobile command post and is also set up to transport a patient on a backboard.

It also features a rather interesting extinguishing package that is the brainchild of Fire Chief Scott Randolph. Realizing that a conventional skid unit might be problematic due to the smaller size of the rear body, a small high pressure pump is utilized that produces 4 GPM at 3000 PSI. Used in conjunction with a 70 gallon water tank and 10 gallons of foam, it has proven to be quite effective for mop up operations on ground cover fires.

Although the primary mission of the Copper Mountain Fire Department is to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors of the Copper Mountain Resort Community, they are quite active in mutual aid with neighboring departments, not only in responses but in training as well. Plans for the immediate future include securing more personnel due to increased responses and other related responsibilities.

The CMFD is an excellent example of a fire department that is in place to meet the special requirements of the unique area that they protect.