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The Shortage of Volunteer Firefighters In Colorado

Christopher Ebdon
/
Creative Commons

Colorado is experiencing a shortage of volunteer firefighters that could have serious implications on how they are able to respond to emergency situations. In this episode of the Zine, we hear from Rocky Mountain Community Radio reporter Bente Birkland on how fire departments across the state are dealing with this issue, and then KSJD's Tom Yoder talks with Jeff Vandevoorde, Fire Chief at the Cortez Fire Protection District, about what the volunteer firefighter shortage looks like here in southwest Colorado, and why these volunteers are critical to our local fire departments.

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Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for Rocky Mountain Community Radio stations, including KVNF, since 2006. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May, covering important bills, discussions, and the positions of our state legislators. Key stories for KVNF listeners she has covered this year include the state budget, proposed oil and gas legislation, and the passage of the Cottage Foods Act.
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