Candidates for Fire District No. 1 Director

The citizens of a portion of Albany County outside of and surrounding the City of Laramie (and south to the state line) voted to form a special district for fire protection, supported by a three mill tax levy. The three members of the district determine how this money will be spent. Terms of office are four years; candidates must reside within the district. Two terms are available this year.

1. What is your background, and what qualifies you for this office?  (100 words)

R. Kim Johnson: No response.

Kirk Taft: I served 26 years as a computer/communications officer in the Air Force, retiring to Centennial in 2003. I joined the Centennial Valley Volunteer Fire Department in January 2004, and soon learned the challenges facing the rural fire departments in Albany County. As a homeowner, I soon learned the value of these departments; they provide security and protection to all of us who live outside the city of Laramie. When approached to serve the remainder of a term on the Fire District Board two years ago, I was honored to step in and have served as treasurer ever since.

2. Are you satisfied with the ability of Fire District #1 to respond to house or prairie fires within the district? Explain your answer. (75 words)

Kirk Taft: Yes; the cooperative relationships between the Laramie Fire Department, Albany County Sheriff's Office, and volunteer departments in the county greatly expand the abilities of a single department to respond in an emergency. Challenges remain with aging equipment, staffing, and interagency communication; in those areas there is always room for improvement. While the ACFD funds maintenance of vehicles and buildings with tax dollars, the volunteer departments must still raise funds to purchase vehicles and construct buildings.

3. Do you support the all-volunteer Community Emergency Response Team training available to citizens in Albany County, and what changes, if any, would you like to make to this program?  (75 words)

Kirk Taft: Yes, I support this training. The more citizens trained to respond appropriately in an emergency, the better.