Courier View 1-Color
Pikes Peak
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 53, Issue 1
‘In the old days firefighters were construction workers, plumbers or tradesmen before they were firefighters. We needed a good understanding of how buildings are put together.’ Robert Dungan
January 1, 2014
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invigorated BY
winter Dozens of families enjoyed fun and games during Winter Day at the Park on Dec. 20. Hosted by the Woodland Park Parks and Recreation Department, North Teller Build a Generation and the Teen Center, the day included games, hot cocoa, cookies, s’mores, music, skating and sledding. City Market and Walmart sponsored this year’s annual event.
Robert Dungan was recently promoted to the rank of Captain at Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District. Photo by Pat Hill
Dungan promoted to captain Mill-levy increase boosts service By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com Robert Dungan earned his way up the ladder to be named captain last month at Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District. After all, not many firefighters in today’s world volunteer 48 hours, two 24hour shifts a week, for two years to cajole their way into a job. Dungan did just that in 1999. Persistence paid off, however, and Dungan was hired in 2001 as a firefighter\EMT. As the team’s new captain, he replaces Doug Koldenhoven, who retired. Dungan credits his teacher, Ed Kirtley, professor of fire science at Pikes Peak Community College, for igniting an inherent passion. “I was just eating it up,” he said, adding that he earned a firescience degree while volunteering at the department. Dungan’s rise through the ranks reflects the evolution of the industry and the people who fight fires. At the time of his volunteer training period, Dungan
was in construction with his father. “In the old days firefighters were construction workers, plumbers or tradesmen before they were firefighters,” he said. “We needed a good understanding of how buildings are put together. So I could take what I knew and do something exciting and make a huge difference.” However, construction is not firefighting. “It was a steep learning curve,” he said. “I could hardly roll a hose. I remember the crews getting so frustrated with me.” From aggravating at times to promotion to an engineer, Dungan eventually learned the ropes. At NETCO, which covers about 86 square miles, 60 percent of the calls are medical and responded to in conjunction with Ute Pass Ambulance District. On duty the day after Christmas, Dungan is easing into the new job, enjoying the break in emergencies. “We see an increase in calls during the holidays; I think it’s because people are doing things they normally wouldn’t do,” he said. “We have a big increase in suicide calls, especially
These little cuties enjoyed Winter Day at the Park Dec. 20. Courtesy photos
In Woodland Park, Santa Claus is part of the in group, at least in December in Memorial Park in Woodland Park.
Dungan continues on Page 4
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People in Woodland Park are tough. Despite the cold temperature Dec. 20, dozens of residents turned out to play games and share refreshments at Memorial Park.