by Terri Wiebold

South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) and the Parker Fire Protection District (PFD) are now working as one consolidated department. While each department remains a separate legal entity, the two agencies formed a fire authority and are now sharing resources.

A new seven-member board of directors governs the Parker-South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (Authority). It is anticipated that the Authority will give way to a new, completely merged agency by 2011.

The City of Castle Pines North’s (CPN) newly formed Safety Task Force (see article this page) will work with the Authority to ensure that emergency medical, fire suppression, and fire prevention services to the CPN community remain at the highest standards.

The Safety Task Force will also closely monitor the progress of a proposed fire station in CPN. As of press time, the Authority was considering the northwest corner of Monarch Boulevard and Hidden Pointe, as well as the northwest corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway (known as CC-20), as potential sites for the new station. While the details are not final, CPN’s current station (#36) could close with the addition of a new station.

PFD joined SMFR’s dispatch center last year, and SMFR has contracted with PFD for fleet maintenance services for more than five years. Additional cost savings are expected to come with consolidation of departments and the formation of the Authority.

For more information about the merger or the proposed fire station, go to www.cpnhoa.org/master.