MATT STEINER
The Gazette

The resignation of more than two-thirds of the Peyton Fire Protection District's crew on Tuesday means the remaining firefighters will need to respond to every emergency, the board president said Thursday.

"Those that are there will not be able to hope that somebody else will respond to a call," said Leon Gomes.

Gomes said the initial report that a dozen volunteers had resigned was wrong - only 10 firefighters refused to continue under Chief Jack Rauer because of safety disputes.

Before the mass resignation, Peyton had 18 firefighters. Now, there are seven, including the chief, who was reinstated by the board Monday after having been suspended for two weeks with pay following allegations that he drove fire engines too fast, did not adhere to safety procedures and put other firefighters in danger.

Peyton firefighters handle 20 to 30 calls per month, and Gomes said Peyton will be relying on neighboring districts for extra help.

Assistant Ellicott Fire Chief Christy Malone said Peyton contacted them immediately after the firefighters turned in their badges and the two departments have an agreement for "automatic mutual aid."

"The difference is a few days ago they would have requested help. Now with the automatic mutual aid, if they get called, we get called," Malone said.

Malone said Ellicott has two paid firefighters, including its chief, and about 30 volunteers, so it should have no problem helping Peyton out, at least temporarily.

El Paso County Fire Marshal Cmdr. Jim Reid said surrounding districts - Peyton, Ellicott, Falcon, Calhan and Hanover - will also be glad to help when requested.

Gomes is hoping new applicants will come forward to replace the volunteers who left.

Recruits can go out on calls with a trained firefighter, Gomes said, but to run all the firefighting apparatuses, they have to complete training, which takes about 90 days.

Fortunately for Gomes and the board, there were only 18 calls in January and it's remained manageable this month, also.

Some homeowners in the district said they were concerned insurance companies would raise their rates because fire protection was downgraded, but one Allstate agent said that isn't likely unless problems persist.

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February 10, 2011