To: Evergreen Fire Protection District Board From: Robert West 7042 Silverhorn Dr. Evergreen, CO 80439 6/14/18
Dear Mr. Anderson (President):
During the latter part of May I had a short telephone conversation with Fire Chief Mike Weege. This note is to provide additional clarity on the issue of the Olive Road fire zone marking problem. Mike indicated that the problem would be reviewed by the “Fire Board.”
I recently described the problem in greater detail in individual letters to Evergreen Park & Recreation District Board members. I have enclosed a generic copy of those letters for your review. Paragraph #4 contains a description of what I consider to be the problem.
I communicated to Mike that while the curb between Buffalo Park Road and the High School entrance is painted a bright yellow with several No Parking signs the full length of the curb, the curb between the High School entrance including the cul-de-sac circle at the entrance to the Wulf recreation center (WRC), is not painted. Both sides of Olive road have several No Parking signs. These signs terminate approximately at the end of the High School building. The last two signs point to the end of Olive road but there is quite a distance to the end of the road with no additional No Parking signs installed. There are also no signs around the cul-de-sac circle.
Fire trucks need to access the WRC just as much as they need to access the High School. However, the lack of fire zone markings at the end of Olive road may inadvertently be giving a false free pass to troubled WRC patrons who have just encountered a full WRC parking lot.
I am not a fire or first responder professional so I have turned to Mike and you to assess the situation.
Parking at the WRC during the summer months is not a problem, but, at the end of August when schools reopen a wealth of WRC recreation and conditioning programs will restart and will receive enthusiastic attendance.
My concerns are the same as yours. I just want to be sure that fire trucks can get to the WRC to rescue all the children, seniors, and adults of all ages. I stand ready to assist if you need any additional clarification.
Sincerely
evergreensafetywatch
Emails to Evergreen fire chief
To: Mike Weege (Evergreen Fire Chief) 6/17/18
From: Robert West (7042 Silverhorn Drive, Evergreen)
Subject: Observation of Recent Fire Drill at WRC
So, on Friday 6/15/18 at about 12:05 PM I was swimming lap number 66 in the WRC pool when the fire alarm sounded with a flashing blue light in the Aquatics center. I evacuated to my vehicle in the first parking space in the parking lot. I had an excellent view of the Chartreuse colored fire truck as it slowly climbed Olive road causally entered the cul-de-sac circle and gingerly turned right into the WRC parking lot. This fire truck was simply not charging out of the gate like Triple Crown winner Justify. S,o from this slow behavior I concluded that this was a drill.
But, it was what happened next that gave me pause. At the very same time that the fire truck entered the parking lot a huge suburban like vehicle was backing out of one of the parking spaces that border the wall. It quickly stopped in the center lane and pulled forward. The fire truck maneuvered a little to the right and the two vehicles passed each other without incident.
How fortunate, I thought, that both vehicles were moving so slow thus enabling each driver to take only minimal evasive action. But, what if this wasn’t a drill?
I have contemplated this observation in greater detail and cannot answer the question, where exactly is the fire lane in the parking lot? It must exist right at the center of the entrance to the parking lot, and thereafter extend all the way to the other end of the parking lot where it must connect to the clearly marked fire lane access road that connects to the High School parking lot. However, there are no such markings on the parking lot asphalt.
Somehow, drivers who are backing out of parking spaces, must be aware that they are backing into a fire lane so if they hear sirens, they should stop immediately. I have seen fire lanes painted on asphalt. These were lanes with parallel bars with angled striping and even with huge block letters spelling FIRE LANE.” I think this would be a great help to drivers and may be a way to have a fire lane with parking spaces adjacent.
It is true that constant traffic over painted markings requires frequent repainting, but I have also seen in-lade striping of more durable material that wears like the asphalt. I bet that the Colorado DOT can offer suggestions.
I think the fire drill successfully proved several observations:
- A small fire truck could get to the front steps of the WRC when there are no vehicles parked on Olive road or in the cul-de-sac circle, and there is only one vehicle trying to exit the parking lot at the same time.
- There is enough space between the two rows of parking spaces for a large SUV vehicle and a small fire truck to pass one another in the center of the parking lot.
- The WRC, when lightly occupied, can be quickly evacuated successfully by WRC personnel.
- Once outside it is difficult for WRC personnel to herd patrons away from the WRC to make room for first responding fire fighters.
Any one paying attention could learn something from this successful fire drill. For me, observing this event has re-enforced my original ideas about fire lane markings to and at the WRC.
These are:
- The curb on the High School side on Olive road which is painted a bright yellow from Buff low Park road to the High School entrance, should also be painted bright yellow from the High School entrance to the WRC parking lot entrance and beyond to include the cul-de-sac circle.
- Additional “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” signs should be installed on both sides of Olive road including around the cul-de-sac circle.
- Fire lane striping should be painted or in-laid down the center of the WRC parking lot from the Olive road entrance to the Fire Lane access road that connects to the High School parking lot. Preferably also with the letters “FIRE LANE.”
This is not a big deal as a public works project but I think there are huge returns of safety and ease of access for your first responding fire personnel, and there are also benefits of increased safety and awareness for patrons who park at the WRC.
If you want to share your thoughts or have any further questions I would be happy to chat.
Best regards,
evergreensafetywatch
To: Mike Weege (Evergreen Fire Chief)
Date: 7/12/18
From: Robert West (7042 Silverhorn Drive, Evergreen)
Subject: Observations and discussion with Frank Dunbar at the WRC and an update.
HI Mike,
Frank Dearborn , your Assistant Fire Marshal, and I had a congenial through discussion at about 10 AM on 6/22/18. While standing at the end of Olive road I had the opportunity to point out the physical absence of the yellow curb paint on the curb from the High School entrance to the WRC parking lot entrance, including the cul-de-sac circle, and the lack of any “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE” signs at the end of Olive road and around the cul-de-sac circle. This was my main concern and Frank indicated that he would “look into it.”
Interestingly enough, there was a patron of the WRC parked in the circle, even though there were plenty of unoccupied spaces in the parking lot. Frank remarked that the car was parked so far from the curb that it could be ticketed as we spoke. I agreed and reiterated my email statement that with lines of vehicles on both sides of Olive road, parked in such a manor, there could be as little as 11 feet between such vehicles for your fire trucks to squeeze through. Certainly not a safe condition for first responders.
Frank and I also saw evidence that WRC patrons have become so used to parking in what is now an imaginary Fire Lane, that they do so even when there are abundant vacant spaces in the parking lot.
Then, at my suggestion, our discussion turned to my other concern. That for the safety of both patrons and first responders there should be fire lane markings from the entrance of the parking lot to the front steps of the WRC, if not through to the end of the parking lot and connecting with the clearly marked Fire Lane to the High School parking lot. After all, people need to know that if they hear approaching sirens and audible alarms from the WRC they should not be backing out of parking spaces, into fire lanes, in their effort to exit the parking lot while fire trucks are attempting to enter.
Frank indicated that while this may be true, such parking lot markings may be subject to County codes that we at the local level have to abide by. With this I agree. Frank indicated that he would “look into it.” To my mind if county codes stand in the way of painting a fire lane on the parking lot then some special district must seek an exception. Here is why. During an evacuation there are three commands that must be continually shouted out by WRC staff to patrons.
- “GET OUT OF THE BUILDING”
- “GO TO THE TENNIS COURTS”
- “STAY OUT OF THE FIRE LANE”
Invariably some Patrons will try to peal off from the group to get to their vehicles or watch the show from another vantage point. They will have to cross a fire lane to do so. They have been warned but they cannot stay out of a fire lane that they cannot see, and WRC staff alert to this possible behavior cannot take controlling measures if they also cannot see a fire lane. A painted fire lane is essential for WRC staff, patrons, and first responders.
So on 7/5/18 I looked into a few things myself and here is an update. There are several different parties that have an interest in your fire department and first responders getting through the cul-de-sac circle at the end of Olive road to extinguish a fire on their respective properties.
- Excel Energy has a huge transformer on a telephone pole. I did not notice a lightning rod or a cable to ground. Frank pointed this out. I have not contacted Excel Energy
- Denver County owns the property behind the WRC and it sports a water tank. They have a dirt access road that connects to the small asphalt lane connected to the cul-de-sac circle. The dirt road is gated with a lock. If you do not have a key you might try Bob Finch at 720-913-0648 (Denver County Parks).
- I think the WRC maintains the small asphalt lane from the cul-de-sac circle to the East end of the building where chemicals (chlorine) are unloaded and stored. The huge transformer on a pole is also at this spot.
- The WRC is built on property owned by the JEFCO School District.
- I spoke with Mr. Robert Taylor from JEFFCO government and he informed me that the cul-de-sac circle and the south end of Olive Road, is maintained by JEFFCO Road and Bridge so they would do any fire lane painting of the cul-de-sac circle and erection of no parking signs. He said the circle is there so that they can turn their large trucks around. Mr. Taylor’s supervisor is Mat Farmen (303-271-8471) So, JEFFCO Road & Bridge could benefit from erection of some no parking signs around the circle.
- Olive Road, from the High school entrance to the circle is apparently owned by the Jeff co School District, and they would be the party responsible for improvements such as fire lane painting and sign age. I spoke with Noel Harryman (303-982-2588) and he said he would be in touch with you about painting the curb.
- There is residential property and driveway opening to Olive Road on the east side of the road and a short distance from the circle. I think the owners would benefit from some no parking signs. I have not contacted the property owners.
- The Evergreen Recreation District has a trash bin on the South side and the WRC parking lot entrance on the West side of the cul-de-sac circle. Ms. Ellen O’ Conn0r (720-880-1100), is the EPRD Executive Director.
Needless to say all of these respective parties want your fire department and your first responders to defend their property, and the safest way for your first responders to do so is via clearly marked fire lanes and outside audible and visual fire alarms that freeze the vehicles in the WRC parking lot.
From my observation of the June 17th false fire alarm, the WRC evacuation strategy was limited to evacuation of the building with a later encouragement to “get away from the building.” Some people were subsequently wandering around in the imaginary fire lanes. All 150+ patrons must end up in an outside “SAFE ZONE” away from clearly marked Fire Lanes. In this regard, in my capacity as a retired Urban & Regional Planner, I have developed a “Fire Alarm Safety” design for the WRC. The graphical design is in a .jpg file attached to this email. Click on it and you should be able to expand it to a reading level you desire.
I also have a set of instructions for WRC staff and patrons that can be turned into a small educational brochure, free for the taking, from the intake desk of the WRC, and permanently located there and restocked. I will send you a hard copy of the graphical design and procedural instructions shortly.
I intend to first request a pro bono review from another retired city planner colleague, the JEFFCO Planning department, and the city of Lakewood city planner. I will incorporate the3ir suggestions in the graphics diagram and send the final product to you and others who will make all final decisions on revisions and implementation.
There is some good news. On 7/11/18 a large sign was placed on the front intake desk of the WRC. It clearly indicates that Patrons are not allowed to park on Olive road and that they will be ticketed or towed if they do so. The EPRD, to their credit, has clearly recognized the gravity of the situation and has stepped up th to the plate to help solve the problem. However, to make this a permanent solution we need hardware, and a painted concrete curb and erected No Parking signs are exactly the hardware that is required.
What I am calling “required” is actually simply an extension to South Olive road, what already exists on North Olive road. The same can be said for the design I have offered. The High School parking lot has a clearly marked fire lane with yellow curbs from the entrance to the yellow curb fire lane that connects to the WRC parking lot. There is no good reason why the High School parking lot should have a fire lane but the WRC parking lot should not. The only difference is the parking design of the two parking lots. The High School lot has curbs that can be painted, the WRC lot does not, but that is not a valid reason to deny occupants of the WRC, governed by one special district, the same level of safety as that which is provided to occupants of the High School, governed by a different special district. Likewise your first responders deserve the same level of safety when fighting a fire at the WRC as has been designed for them when fighting a fire at the High school. The solution is simple, if curbs are not available you simply paint the street so that you can keep vehicles and souls out of the way of fire trucks.
My goal in doing all of what I have done is simply to help develop the tools and procedures that will save souls in a time of calamity. In our “Special District” form of government, I recognize that You and others have the final say about how to save souls. I hope I have helped. You are clearly the point man on this issue and I wish you the best in your collaborative future efforts with others.
Best regards,
evergreensafetywatch