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Cortez Fire Protection District

Middle school students get glimpse into careers Mentoring program matches students with professionals MARCH 01 - Rather than being asked what they want to be when they grow up, 28 students at Cortez Middle School have been given the opportunity to take a hands-on look at what may be their future careers. The students are a part of the school's mentoring program, which has been a part of the culture at CMS for more than 10 years. "It's a program the middle school has done for over a decade," said Tara ... (Full Story & Photos)

Cordell Ridings

Firefighter I Training 2010

Fire Fighter I Training is Almost Done FEBRUARY 23 - Firefighters practice with live fire training Tuesday night at station two. Firefighters extinguished two car on fire and a pile of wood along with a dumpster on fire. They also learned how to extinguish a fire with fire extinguishers. This is part of the last few classes of the fire fighter I course.... (Full Story & Photos)

Cortez fire chief retires FEBRUARY 18 - The first paid fire chief of Cortez announced he is stepping down after nearly two years of service. Don Eberle, of the Cortez Fire Protection District, made his decision to retire public Feb. 10 during the fire district's monthly board meeting. He began work in April 2008 as the first paid chief in the fire district's 123-year history. "Forty-four years is enough in the firefighting business," ... (Full Story & Photos)

Chief Eberle

Chimney Fire 2009

Precautions prevent chimney fires JANUARY 26 - Chilly temperatures spiraling into the new year often have precipitated a number of chimney fires in and around Cortez as wood burning becomes a main source for home heating. Brandon Johnson, fire inspector for the Cortez Fire Protection District, said about 10 chimney fires occurred during the 2009 winter season, most of which came in January and February. A few of the 10 resulted in fully engulfed ... (Full Story & Photos)

One Vehicle Rollover Down McElmo JANUARY 21 - Cortez Firefighters place an accident victim on the stretcher after spending close to an hour cutting the doors off and the seats out of a Mercury Mountaineer that rolled on County Road G at Road J about 8:50 a.m. Wednesday. The driver, Beverly Oferkuch, and passenger were both transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital. The passenger was wedged in the vehicle, and rescue personnel had to cut out ... (Full Story & Photos)

McElmo Wreck

The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommend a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Each detector should be replaced every five to six years.

The Low Down on Carbon Monoxide Detectors JANUARY 12 - What is Carbon Monoxide (CO) ? Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO ... (Full Story & Photos)