Rist Canyon VFD honors outstanding volunteers

Two Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department board members were recognized last month for their devoted community service: president Mike Thompson and Rist Canyon Road representative Jordy Levick.

Thompson was honored for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the community. Utilizing resiliency and professionalism, Thompson overcame numerous roadblocks in the rebuilding of RCVFD Fire Station 4. Levick, who was instrumental in the planning and construction of the station, received the 2015 President’s Award.

The honors were presented during the Nov. 7 annual meeting of the RCVFD board following a pot-luck dinner for the community at Stove Prairie School. About 50 people attended the meeting, in which the efforts of retired-chief Bob Gann and Mountain Festival coordinator Tim Hollman, also were recognized.

“With Bob Gann leaving, we’re trying to fill size-28 shoes,” said Carol Dollard, the newly-appointed fire chief. “Bob did the work of five people. No one person can replace him, so we’re thinking about adding a second captain.”

Dollard, who joined the department in 1983, presented the annual chief’s report. She said that as of Nov. 7, RCVFD had received 57 calls. Of those, 60 percent were medical-related and 40 percent fire-related. She said that the department is also seeking ISO 9 certification for the newly-rebuilt Station 4, which was destroyed in the High Park Fire in June 2012. The RCVFD website (rcvfd.org) carries information for homeowners needing a letter for their insurance companies.

Presenting the annual treasurer’s report, Richard Lund was pleased to announce that “RCVFD is financially solvent.” The 2015 net income for the Mountain Festival was $14,153, compared with $13,607 in 2014. To date, the 2015 annual drive proceeds total $44,098.

The meeting concluded with the election of officers for 2016: Mike Thompson, president; Shane Downing, 1st vice president; Carol Dollard, 2nd vice president; Richard Lund, rreasurer; Bridget Tisthammer, Ristwatch editor; Leisa Taylor, secretary; Louise Creager, Stratton Park area representative; Joanne Thompson, Stove Prairie area representative; Jennifer Nolte, Whale Rock area representative; Deb Pedersen, Davis Ranch area representative; Jordy Levick, Rist Canyon area representative; and Don Pytlik, Buckhorn Road area representative.