Divide Fire Protection District
Board Members
- Michael McGlue - Chairman
- Thomas Freeman - Vice Chairman
- Allison Mosser - Treasurer
- Tom O'Connor - Secretary
Mission Statement
To provide timely and effective fire suppression, emergency medical, ambulance and rescue services to the Divide community.
The Divide Fire Protection District is responsible for providing fire suppression, emergency medical and rescue services within the one hundred square miles of area in north central Teller County, Colorado. The District was formed in 1999 by splitting the existing Divide/Florissant Fire Protection District. The Divide Volunteer Fire Department is the primary service-provider for the District.
The District covers significant portions of Pikes Peak National Forest and Mueller State Park, along with several large commercial structures such as the Teller County Sheriff's office and jail complex, Summit Elementary School and the Highlands Market Shopping Center. Approximately 2200 residences are scattered throughout the District in fourteen major subdivisions. The terrain is mountainous and most of the District is comprised of mixed conifer forest with occasion expanses of grassy meadows.
The District is bisected by Highways 24 and 67, which are the primary routes to the Cripple Creek gaming area. Highway 67 is a mountainous road which traverses the west side of Pikes Peak. The winding roadway includes several sections with 300 to 500 foot vertical drops to the valley floor below.
The Divide Fire Protection District is considered an "urban/wildland interface area" with most residential structures nestled into the wooded hillsides.
The District is currently served by a single centrally-located fire station located at 103 Cedar Mountain Road. Gaming-grant funds have been procured for a sub-station in the Rainbow Valley area. Construction of this facility should be completed by mid-2003.
Currently, the District collects a 5.25 mill levy on taxable real property situated within the District boundries. The District and department continue to submit and get awarded various grants. To date, the District has been awarded nearly $250,000 in grants for vehicles and equipment.
ISO Rating
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) completed an evaluation of the fire insurance classification for the district in 1998. The District improved to a Class 6/9 from a Class 10 effective May 1, 1998.
Class 6 applies to properties in the Divide Fire Protection District within 1,000 feet of a hydrant, five (5) road miles of a fire station, and with a needed fire flow of 3,500 gpm or less. Class 9 applies to properties within five (5) road miles of a fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant. Class 10 applies to properties beyond five (5) road miles of a fire station.
The Divide Fire Protection District and Divide Volunteer Fire Department are not responsible for calculating ISO ratings for dwellings and structures within the district for individuals or insurance companies. The fire station is located at 103 Cedar Mountain Road for any calculations.
