West Metro Fire Rescue Chief Douglas McBee says among the fires he will best remember is the Green Mountain fire several years ago, when flames raced fast toward homes and firefighters had to act just as quickly.
“It got to the fences, but we didn’t lose a house,” McBee said Tuesday, about an hour before his resignation became official. “I probably never worried more about the potential of a fire.”
McBee, 58, is stepping down after nearly eight years, he said, because it’s time to try something new.
McBee said he will pursue other opportunities, but he was not specific.
“It’s just an opportune time for me to go,” McBee said. “My contract was up soon.”
Deputy Chief Don Lombardi will be the interim fire chief, as the West Metro board decides whether to launch a national search for a permanent chief or to hire from within, spokeswoman Michelle French said.
McBee said he is proud of the work he has done during his tenure.
He cited a $43.5 million bond package that passed in 2006, which led to a new training facility and five new fire stations.
He also touted being the sponsoring agency for the state’s CO-TF1, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue. About 220 members from 12 agencies in the area were dispatched to Hurricane Katrina, the World Trade Center bombing and the Windsor tornado, he said.
“It’s a national resource located in Colorado,” he said. “This is probably the greatest cooperative (experience) I’ve worked on.”
Jerry Rhodes, fire chief for the Cunningham Fire Protection District in Arapahoe County, said McBee went beyond the call of duty — and beyond his own department — to volunteer his time.
“Chief McBee definitely signed up for the extra work,” Rhodes said.
Before coming to West Metro, McBee was with the Aurora Fire Department for about 27 years.
West Metro Fire Protection District, Colorado’s largest fire district, serves 265,000 residents over 110 square miles.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
