Refurbished engine back in GWS

One of the City’s 15-year-old fire engines is back in Glenwood Springs, after traveling 2,400 miles roundtrip to be refurbished. The City of Glenwood Springs spent approximately $200,000 or about 30% of the cost of a new engine of similar capability and design to have the original manufacturer clean, repair, and repaint the vehicle. The refurbished engine was delivered on Friday. The engine is one of three identical engines purchased in 2001 by the Glenwood Springs Fire Department from Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisc. Over the past six months, work on the engine included:

Complete cleaning and inspection and dynamometer analysis of the engine and drive train with repairs as needed
Complete disassembly and rebuild or replacement of fire pump and valves
Replacing all lighting with new LED versions for increased performance with less energy consumption
Repainting the entire apparatus and replacing striping and lettering includes adding NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) compliant chevrons to the rear of the truck

Council selects alignment for 27th St. Bridge Replacement

Completion of the design and environmental process to replace the 27th Street Bridge is anticipated in 2017. City Council took the next steps in the ongoing design project on Dec. 1, 2016, with the selection of the straight alignment for the 27th Street Bridge that was recommended by the Transportation Board and the public, following public meetings on the alternatives. The bridge slide alternative uses the existing straight bridge alignment and a roundabout intersection at South Grand Ave. and 27th Street. It was one of three final viable alternatives identified by design consultant AMEC Foster Wheeler and the Colorado Dept. of Transportation.

The approved 2017 Budget includes $1,202,854 in funding for the design, of which $620,828 is Federal Highway Administration off-system bridge funding. Construction of the bridge could start by summer/fall of 2018, depending on funding availability.
The goal of the ongoing design project is to provide a safe route, develop a solution that has improved traffic operations for the 20-year traffic volumes, maintain the Atkinson Trail and minimize impacts to traffic, pedestrians, utilities, the river, boaters, and adjacent land owners. For information about the project, read more here...

Fire Safety Tips for the Holidays

One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. Inspect your lights each year before you put them up. Although Christmas tree fires are not common they are more likely to be lethal. One in every 31 reported home Christmas tree fires results in a death.
A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four Christmas tree fires. Trees should be located at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
Two out of 5 home decoration fires are started by candles. Christmas, Christmas Eve, and New Years are the top days for candle fires. Keep all candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable and be sure to extinguish before leaving.
Keep your Christmas tree watered and discard shortly after Christmas before it gets too dry.