EVERGREEN —After more than two hours of public comment and discussion, Evergreen Fire Protection District’s board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the district joining a regional dispatch center to be located in Lakewood.
, but just weeks before the final decision, public outcry emerged in Evergreen against the consolidation.
Approximately 50 area residents and volunteers attended the meeting, and there was both adamant support and opposition during the public comment leading up to the board’s decision.
“I think this consolidation is riddled with red flags,” said Kevin Gilbert, an assistant chief of training with the district.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader, who will sit on JeffCom’s executive board, spoke in support of the consolidation.
“The conversation of safety has been paramount in every discussion” concerning the regional dispatch center, he said.
Residents who spoke during public comment asked why more information was not disseminated to the public leading up to the decision and some asked that the decision be delayed to allow more discussion.
Members of the board took more than 45 minutes to respond to public comment and concerns, and addressed the perception .
John Anderson, the board’s director, said that the decision has been 19 months in the making and he was saddened that fear was stirred in the community over recent weeks.
“There have been opportunities while we have all put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this for everybody to come up to speed and to have been heard and to have been a part of the conversation,” he said.
The deadline for all agencies to make a decision to join JeffCom is in early May. Westminster, Arvada Fire and West Metro Fire already have committed to join. Other agencies are awaiting votes from their governing bodies.
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or @JosieKlemaier
