Norwood Fire Chief John Bockrath told the Forum over the weekend that he’s pleased the recent mill levy passed in the November election. The Norwood Fire Protection District sought a mill levy increase to pay for personnel and equipment for various reasons, including aging volunteers and technology, as well as limited funding.
The ballot question passed by 79 percent in San Miguel County, and 64 percent in Montrose County.
“I’m extremely happy with that,” Bockrath said. “It seemed to be pretty overwhelming … And, I had a few people that are not happy that didn’t vote for it that have called me, but that’s to be expected.”
Now, the district will move forward, first by hiring three firefighter-paramedics that will be on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Next, the district will begin saving money to buy new equipment.
Bockrath had developed two different budgets to present to his board of directors for 2025. With the mill levy passing Nov. 5, he has a plan for taking the better budget to the fire district meeting Nov. 20.
He said he remains grateful to the community for its support and the relationship they’ve built.
Last Wednesday, Bockrath was caught off guard by an award he received, the ALS (advanced life support) Provider of the Year, courtesy of the West Region Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council.
“It was a complete surprise to me,” he said. “I knew nothing about it.”
Nominated by Heather King and Shannon Armstrong, both affiliated with the department and the area’s EMS services, he was chosen for his work in the Norwood Fire Protection District, specifically the education he’s done for his volunteers, the community and more.
The area fire chiefs and EMS coordinators vote on the award. Bockrath said he didn’t realize that he’d not gotten a ballot this year, until the meeting began last Wednesday. When they announced his name as the recipient of the ALS award, which is essentially the paramedic of the year, he discovered why.
He said he was honored. Though he attended by Zoom, since he was the only person on call that day in Norwood, he does have a gift and an award certificate waiting for him in Montrose.
Additionally, Bockrath is helping to establish two new fire stations in the area. Folks in the Basin came to him with concerns over their property insurance as it relates to fire. Now, an older building close to the Basin Store will serve as an additional fire house. It only makes sense, Bockrath said, since longtime firefighter Casey Griffith lives out there. Now, wildland fire equipment is being stored there, and Bockrath will soon be training Basin residents in CPR and first-aid.
Something similar might be happening in the Sanborn Park area too. Folks there are experiencing issues with their property insurance due to the distance they live from a fire station.
Bockrath said he’s meeting with Sanborn residents this week, and some were set to come to Wednesday’s fire board meeting. He said establishing a building there would be necessary, but then it could house additional fire equipment and be a satellite station for Norwood Fire Protection District.
