Consolidation Study
In the fall of 2007, Boulder Rural Fire Department initiated a comprehensive study with neighboring departments and Emergency Services Consulting, inc., regarding how best to use all available resources in order to best serve our communities. The study looked at how we all currently perform, how we could improve, and the possibilities of combining resources to further our commitement to the highest standards of our services. The results of the study not only improved the participating departments individually, it helped improved the overall surrounding fire service as a whole. By combining and/or integrating key elements, such as training, fire safety, public education and emergency operating procedures, the departments will have a higher level of continuity and efficiency.
In the fall of 2009, Boulder Rural and Mountain View Fire Departments again contracted with Emergency Service Consultants to conduct a financial analysis of both departments. The purpose was two fold. The first goal was to examine our current expenditures, budgets and forecasts of funds available which enable our departments to function on a daily basis and into the future. Secondly, the study looked to see if the combination of the two departments would make good financial sense.
No financial study is perfect. It can show a financial snapshot in but a single time frame. Some factors, such as property values of the neighboring counties (Boulder and Weld) from which the departments generate their revenues through mill levies, along with the economic downturn will need adjustment. The board members of BRFD have been extremely diligent in their extrapolation of the data in the study and will be carefully moving forward with this information. As stated numerous times at our board meetings with our Chief and members, there is but one critical factor in moving forward: That the service to our customers remain at or above the level they are currently receiving.