The Cortez Fire Protection District welcomed two new lieutenants to its ranks on Wednesday night.
Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Bittle swore in Charles Borden and Patrick Spencer as lieutenants at the district board’s regular meeting.
The board also heard an update from Kyle Blackmer, of Weeminuche Construction Co., about the construction of the new firehouse.
“We have made a lot of progress in the last month. We have a building out there now. We are progressing with the metal framing in the living quarters and mechanical plumbing,” Blackmer said.
He also told the board he hoped to receive waterproofing materials in the next week so the crew can begin painting inside the facility.
Lt. Staton Jetter gave the board the monthly log report.
The Cortez Fire Protection District responded to 198 calls in January – 160 medical calls, six automotive accidents, six hazmat calls and 26 possible false calls.
Bittle asked the board to help him with some time off. According to Bittle, he stated that he had been on call for 32 days.
“I do not think it is healthy for me to be on call from now until a new fire chief is selected, and I think I would be doing a disservice to the board members and to my firefighters,” Bittle said.
Bittle presented multiple proposals, including the request for help, to the board that were tabled until March’s meeting to give board members the chance to read over the materials.
The board also moved to table a teleconference call with Pacheco Ross Architects.