Agate Fire Protection District

🔥 ELBERT COUNTY MOVES TO STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS 🔥

Effective immediately, the Elbert County Sheriff's Office has implemented Stage II Burn Restrictions due to increasing fire danger and recommendations from local fire chiefs.

What is NOT allowed without a permit?

❌ Campfires and open burning
❌ Burning trash, debris, fields, fence lines, or rangeland
❌ Fireworks and model rockets

What IS allowed without a permit?

✅ Propane and gas grills, fire pits, and outdoor cooking appliances
✅ Charcoal grills and smokers when attended by a responsible adult
✅ Indoor fireplaces and wood stoves with approved spark arrestors
✅ Fire department training and fire suppression activities
✅ Discharge of fi****ms

Activities requiring a permit include:

⚠️ Small recreational fires in approved permanent metal fire pits
⚠️ Outdoor welding and hot work
⚠️ Professional fireworks displays
⚠️ Educational rockets

As temperatures rise and fuels continue to dry out, we ask everyone to remain vigilant and do their part to prevent wildfires. A single spark can quickly become a major incident.

Please take a moment to review the restrictions and ensure your outdoor activities are compliant.

🚒 The members of Agate Fire Protection District thank you for helping keep our communities safe.

🚗🔥 Looking for something fun to do today?🔥🚗

Head on over to the Deer Trail Car Show & Trunk Swap and support our friends at Deer Trail Fire Rescue!

They've got an incredible lineup of classic cars, custom builds, great people, and they're firing up the grill with some amazing burgers and hot dogs all day long. 🌭🍔

Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a great way to spend the day with the family, there's something for everyone!

📍 Deer Trail Car Show & Trunk Swap
🕘 Happening NOW until 3:00 PM today
🚒 Supporting Deer Trail Fire Rescue

Let's show our neighboring department some love and help make this a great community event!

🚒❤️🚗

🇺🇸 Happy Father’s Day from Agate Fire Protection District! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate all the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who lead with strength, sacrifice, and dedication—both at home and in our community.

Many of our firefighters, EMTs, and first responders wear two important titles: public servant and dad. Whether they're answering calls in the middle of the night, coaching ball games, teaching life lessons, or simply being there when it matters most, we are grateful for the example they set every day.

Thank you to all the dads who work tirelessly to keep their families and communities safe. Your commitment, courage, and love do not go unnoticed.

From all of us at Agate Fire Protection District, we wish you a safe, happy, and well-deserved Father's Day!

🚒❤️

High Plains Ambulance Authority Presents EMS Collaboration Plan to Limon Fire Board

Representatives from the High Plains Ambulance Authority attended the Limon Fire board meeting to provide an update on the developing regional EMS collaboration and answer questions about how the proposed authority may affect emergency medical services across Lincoln County.

Rachel Carson, Chief Nursing Officer for Lincoln Health in Hugo, spoke on behalf of the group and explained that the effort began after a state consultative EMS review was completed nearly three years ago. That review evaluated EMS operations throughout the county and identified concerns related to reimbursement, expense management, staffing, sustainability, and resource availability.

One of the major recommendations from that review was the creation of an EMS authority.

Carson emphasized that the authority is not intended to replace local agencies or take away their independence. Instead, the proposed model would allow each participating entity to maintain its own identity, equipment, license, and operations while working together more formally.

Current participating agencies include Lincoln Health, Limon Ambulance, and Agate Fire Protection District.

“The goal is that when you call 911, somebody is available to respond,” Carson said.

The authority has already begun limited resource sharing, including the use of an ALS fly car. The fly car allows advanced life support personnel to respond across the region and assist local ambulance crews when needed. Carson said the project has already shown benefits by improving access to ALS care in areas where that level of coverage has not always been consistently available.

A major focus of the discussion was staffing. Carson noted that rural EMS agencies across the region are struggling with limited personnel, rising costs, and a shift away from traditional volunteer-only models. By sharing staff and coordinating schedules, the authority hopes to reduce duplication, improve coverage, and make EMS more sustainable long term.

The group also discussed possible financial benefits, including shared purchasing power for medications, supplies, equipment, and billing services. Carson explained that Lincoln Health is part of a group purchasing organization, which allows the hospital to access better pricing on supplies and medications. Through collaboration, participating EMS agencies may be able to benefit from those savings.

Board members raised questions about day-to-day operations, mutual aid, and concerns about ensuring that the closest and most appropriate ambulance responds to emergencies. Carson clarified that the authority does not eliminate existing mutual aid agreements and does not prevent Limon Ambulance from requesting assistance from non-participating agencies such as Hugo Fire.

Discussion also focused on response times, staffing availability, and level of care. Representatives explained that the closest ambulance by mileage may not always be the fastest available resource if that agency is staffed by volunteers responding from work or home. In some situations, a farther ambulance that is already staffed and ready to respond may arrive sooner and provide a higher level of care.

The board also asked about liability, insurance, and what happens when personnel from one agency operate another agency’s ambulance. Carson said those are exactly the issues the collaboration agreement is intended to address. The agreement is being developed with legal guidance to help protect agencies and providers when resources are shared.

Another topic of discussion was communication between agencies. Participants discussed the possibility of shared response apps, shared schedules, or a centralized platform where agencies could see staffing and resource availability. While there are challenges related to software contracts and agency preferences, several members agreed that better communication would improve emergency response.

Carson said the authority remains in the early stages and that no agency is being forced to participate. She said other departments may choose to join later if they decide the model is beneficial.

The authority has also drawn attention at the state level. Carson said the project has been discussed with EMS leaders and state advisory groups, and that regular updates are being provided through the EMS Council and to county commissioners.

Supporters of the authority said the long-term goal is to protect rural EMS access, improve patient care, strengthen staffing, and make emergency response more dependable across the region.

“We all deserve to have that response when you call 911,” Carson said. “Somebody once said it shouldn’t matter where you live, if you live, and I think that’s 100 percent true.”

No formal action was taken during the discussion. The High Plains Ambulance Authority representatives said they would continue providing updates through EMS Council meetings and remain available to answer questions from the board.

This afternoon at approximately 3:30 PM, Agate Fire Protection District was dispatched to assist Deer Trail Fire Protection District on a large brush fire off Highway 36.

Agate Fire responded with two fully staffed water tenders, including our tactical tender, to provide mutual aid and support firefighting operations on scene.

We are proud to work alongside our neighboring departments and are always glad to help when assistance is needed—no matter which direction the call comes from. Strong partnerships and teamwork are essential to protecting our rural communities.

Thank you to all responding agencies and personnel for their dedication and hard work.

Today Agate Fire Protection District was proud to provide EMS standby coverage for the Shrikes and Bikes cycling event in Lincoln County.

Riders participated in both the 22-mile and 40-mile routes, traveling through the scenic back roads around Genoa and across eastern Colorado. Our crews were on hand throughout the event to ensure participants had quick access to emergency medical care if needed.

We are thankful for the opportunity to support community events like Shrikes and Bikes and help keep participants, volunteers, and spectators safe. Thank you to the event organizers, volunteers, and all the cyclists who came out and made the day a success.

🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚑🚒

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY🚨

The way Elbert County emergency alerts are delivered has changed.

CodeRED is no longer available for Elbert County emergency notifications. If you have not signed up for the new alert system, you may not receive critical emergency information.

The Elbert County Alert System is now the official emergency notification platform for:

🔥 Wildfires
⛈️ Severe Weather
🚗 Road Closures
🏃 Evacuations
🚔 Public Safety Emergencies

If you live, work, travel, or own property in our response area, we strongly encourage you to sign up today to stay informed and prepared.

📱Text ELBERTALERT to 67283
🌐 Visit ElbertCountyAlert.com
📷 Or scan the QR code in the image below.

In rural communities, timely information can make all the difference. Please take a moment to register and help us spread the word by sharing this post.

Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe.
— Agate Fire Protection District 🚒

🇺🇸 Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Today, Agate Fire Protection District honors the heroes who gave everything in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder that the freedoms we enjoy were paid for through extraordinary sacrifice. We remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who answered a call far greater than themselves and never returned home.

As first responders, we understand commitment, duty, and standing ready when others need help—but today is about recognizing those whose sacrifice made our service possible.

Whether you’re gathering with family, traveling, or simply enjoying the day, we ask our community to take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember the fallen and the families who continue to carry their legacy.

From all of us at Agate Fire Protection District—thank you to those who gave all. We will never forget. ❤️🤍💙

🔥 As EMS Week comes to a close, we’re reflecting on how far rural emergency response has come — and where we’re headed.

This week, EMSAC highlighted the work being done through the developing High Plains Ambulance Authority, recognizing it as a model for strengthening rural EMS through collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

For small rural agencies, the challenges are real. Limited staffing. Long distances. Rising costs. Increasing call volume. Fewer volunteers. And communities that still depend on rapid emergency response no matter the obstacle.

At Agate Fire Protection District, we know those challenges firsthand.

That’s exactly why we chose to be part of building something different.

By partnering with Limon Ambulance Service and Lincoln Health, we’re helping create a stronger regional emergency response system — one where resources are shared, ambulances move where they’re needed most, ALS support is available faster, and no agency has to stand alone.

This isn’t about replacing local identity — it’s about protecting it.

It’s about making sure rural communities like Agate continue to have dependable emergency medical care not just today, but for years to come.

Agate Fire has always believed in stepping up when our neighbors need us. Whether it’s a fire, crash, medical emergency, mutual aid call, or large-scale incident along the I-70 corridor, that mission remains the same.

To our EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, volunteers, dispatchers, and healthcare partners — thank you. EMS Week may be ending, but the commitment to serving our community never does.

The future of rural emergency response will be built by agencies willing to adapt, collaborate, and lead.

We’re proud to be part of that future. 🚑🔥

EMS Week 2026 EMS Week 2026 is all about "Improving Outcomes, Together." It extends beyond medicine. It’s a collective responsibility that involves investing in the people behind the care with fair pay, safe staffing levels, mental health resources, leadership that listens and acts, and opportunities for profes...

A huge congratulations to Sheriff Tim Norton, ECSO, and everyone involved in making this innovative program a reality. We’re excited to see this program launch and the positive impact it will have for the citizens of Elbert County.
Together, we are stronger. 💙❤️

On Wednesday 13th, Representatives from Life Med Safety Medical Equipment presented to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) 2- Life Pack 12 defibrillators/ heart monitor. These will be assigned to two deputies with enhanced lifesaving skills. We would like to thank Tyler Keys and Tyler Fuqua for the donation.

Sheriff Tim Norton will soon be launching a new Deputy/ Paramedic program to bring enhanced life saving skills to rural residents of Elbert County. Working alongside our Fire Departments (7) throughout the county, we will add two deputies that have state and federal paramedic certifications, ready to respond to medical emergencies all over the county. They are deputy sheriffs first but have advanced lifesaving skills as well. They will be working afternoon shifts 7 days a week.

Their vehicles will be equipped with the two defibrillators/ heart monitors units mentioned above, oxygen, plus a large variety of tools, equipment and drugs to enhance the chance of survival for patients that they respond to assist.

We will be launching the new program in June. ECSO will be one of the only agencies to offer this service!