Tri-Lakes
Tribune
October 31, 2012
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
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Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County • Volume 9, Issue 44
Local fire departments to try new schedule Moving to 48/96 schedule in January for one-year trial By Norma Engelberg nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com Next year Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District firefighters will be trying out a new 48/96 work schedule. Of the 12 area fire districts, eight have already moved to the schedule that al-
lows firefighters to have 48 hours on shift and 96 hours off shift. At the Oct. 24 district board of directors meeting, Battalion Chief Bryan Jack said the department had discussed switching to the new schedule a while back but decided to wait until the West Metro Fire Protection District in Denver studied the results of the switch it made a few years ago. Jack was also waiting for the results of a sleep study being conducted by St. Vincent Hospital. “West Metro said there weren’t any negative outcomes,” he said. “They saw a drop in sick-pay use but they only tracked that for a year. I wish it had been longer.” The sleep study showed that people
lose more sleep before their shifts start than they do during the shift, he added. With results in hand, the department will be conducting a 12-month trial period, starting in January, before deciding whether to make the change permanent. Jake Shirk, the district’s newest board member, asked why the department was bringing this item to the board since it is purely an administrative decision. Jack replied that the schedule change was on the agenda as information but that in the next couple of meetings the board would have to approve several policy changes related to the switch. Jack added that the switch would help firefighters save fuel costs because they
wouldn’t be driving as often and it will also be easier to schedule night training exercises and joint exercises with other departments that are using the same schedule. Soon the department will have a new firefighter, Sparky the Fire Dog. District office manager Jennifer Martin has received a $1,000 grant from Monument Hill Kiwanis toward the purchase of a Sparky costume. She has also received a donation of $250, which leaves $280 still to raise before she can order the suit. Martin has volunteered to wear the suit at local events.
Halloween safety tips Special to The Tribune
Officer Jon Hudson, community resource officer for the Monument Police Department, reminds the community to be safe and take precautions while out trick-or-treating and attending Halloween festivities. Below are some tips he has suggested. Halloween is a very exciting holiday for children but they can be vulnerable to injury on this night more than any other night during the year. To insure children stay safe on Halloween, here are a few tips for the children and adults that drive on Halloween night.
Kids Safety:
Palmer Lake Mayor Nikki McDonald pours a glass of wine for an attendee. McDonald was one of several celebrity servers at the annual Wine, Roses & More fundraiser on Oct. 27. Photos by Lisa Collacott
There is a lot more to Wine and Roses
Driving Safety:
Be alert in residential neighborhoods. Drive slower and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road. Take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Remember that popular trick-ortreating hours are during the typical rush hour period, between 5:30-9:30 pm. Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians.
Annual fundraiser labeled a community success By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews. com There was much more to the largest wine tasting event in the Tri-Lakes area this year. More wine, more food and just more fun. And it was all for a good cause. The 10th annual TriLakes Women’s Club Wine, Roses & More fundraiser took place Oct. 27 at The Pinery in Black Forest and brought out a large number of at-
tendees. Those who attended had a larger variety of wine to sample and left with a commemorative wine glass. They sampled barbecue, seafood, cupcakes and cookies. A few even walked away with trips to San Francisco, Ireland, Tuscany and Bali that they won during a live silent auction. All proceeds from the evening with go towards the TLWC granting program which awards grants to nonprofits within the boundaries of Lewis-Palmer School District 38.
Always trick-or-treat with an adult and do it in familiar areas that are well lit. Cross streets at corners, utilizing traffic signals and crosswalks. Always make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Walk on sidewalks or paths; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. NEVER run into the street or cross in between parked cars. Wear light colored, flame-retardant costumes decorated with reflective tape or stickers. Wear well-fitted, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls. ALWAYS carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers. Wear face paint or makeup, not a mask; a mask can restrict a child’s vision.
Pikes Peak Dessert Lounge in Monument serves up some chocolate desserts to go with the wine at the annual Wine, Roses & More event. Other desserts from different vendors included cupcakes, cookies and brownies.
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