Rocky Ford and Rural Fire District Agreement Outlines Fire Services, Staffing and Equipment Responsibilities

Description: An intergovernmental agreement between the City of Rocky Ford and the Rocky Ford Rural Fire Protection District outlines responsibilities for firefighting services, staffing, equipment housing, maintenance, insurance, billing, and pension contributions.


Published: 05/21/2026
Byline: SECO News

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

This Agreement was made and entered into this 25th day of March 2025, by and between the City of Rocky Ford, Colorado, a municipal corporation, hereinafter called the "City", and the Rocky Ford Rural Fire Protection District of Otero County, Colorado, a Title 32 Special District, hereinafter called the "district."

WHEREAS, the City of Rocky Ford is included in the territorial boundaries of the Rocky Ford Rural Fire Protection District, and is, therefore, part thereof; and

WHEREAS, the District is jointly responsible for the provision of firefighting services within the City boundaries, as may be added to from time to time; and

WHEREAS, the District owns certain firefighting apparatus which are available for service, both within and outside the territorial boundaries of the city; and

WHEREAS, the City is the owner of a fire station with proper facilities, which are suitable for the housing of firefighting equipment and vehicles of the district, which fire station is centrally located in said District and in which there is sufficient room to house and keep said firefighting apparatus of said District; and

WHEREAS, the city has trained personnel and crews for the operation of firefighting equipment and vehicles and the district has no employees or trained firefighters to operate its equipment and combat fires occurring within the territorial confines of the district; and

WHEREAS, the city and the district have previously entered into other agreements for purposes of firefighting services; and

NOW THEREFORE, be it agreed by and between the parties hereto that the City of Rocky Ford will consult with the district concerning any decision related to choosing a qualified Fire Chief for the Rocky Ford City Fire Department, and shall further consult with the district on any policy issues related to the Rocky Ford City Fire Department that have a direct effect on the District, firefighting equipment, apparatus, and finances, affecting the services provided by the Rocky Ford City Fire Department. Such consultation should not mean that the district shall have veto power over the City's choices.

1. That firefighting equipment and apparatus of the Rocky Ford Rural Fire Protection District shall be kept and housed in the fire station of the City of Rocky Ford, to be there tested, and kept ready for action by the City, through the Fire Chief and fire department personnel;

2. That said District firefighting equipment, vehicles, and apparatus shall be operated by the City of Rocky Ford Fire Department, under the supervision and direction of the Fire Chief. Said City shall keep on-call and ready for action personnel within the Fire Department, including a full-time Fire Chief and a minimum of seven full-time firefighters as well as volunteer firefighters to assist with firefighting duties.

3. The Fire Chief shall ensure that all maintenance of District equipment shall be performed by the City's personnel or its agents. Any maintenance schedules, records, training schedules, and records shall be made available to the District Board.

4. That the District shall be responsible for billing any fires that are attended, using the district's equipment, either outside the district's territorial boundaries or for such areas that have not chosen to be included and taxed by the district, as provided by law.

5. That the City will be responsible for personnel costs, dispatching services, and any insurance coverage needed to cover employees responding to a fire, including workman's compensation. The district is solely responsible for paying insurance on its equipment and apparatus, as well as maintenance and operational costs for the said apparatus and any vehicles owned by the district.

6. The Rocky Ford Rural Fire Protection District shall be responsible for making an annual payment of $6,500 to the Rocky Ford Volunteer Fire Pension Fund.

7. The City shall make a monthly contribution of 8% from employee's payroll.

FURTHER, the district covenants and agrees with the city that the district will defend and hold harmless the city from any and all claims, actions, or causes arising from or out of City-owned equipment or City employees attending fires, or other emergencies within the territorial boundaries of the district but outside of City Limits. The district shall carry a policy of liability insurance, naming the City of Rocky Ford as additional insured.

FURTHER, this Agreement. made and entered into by and between the City of Rocky Ford and the Rocky Rural Fire Protection District shall expire twenty-four months from the date executed by both parties, subject to renewal by agreement.

WHEREAS, the city, by resolution, duly adopted by its council at a regular meeting at the City Hall, Rocky Ford, Colorado at 7:00 pm on March 23, 2023, has authorized and directed its Mayor and Clerk to execute a memorandum of this agreement; and

WHEREAS, the District, by resolution, duly adopted by its Board of Directors at а meeting thereof held at Rocky Ford Fire Station. 300 South Main Street, Rocky Ford, Colorado on April 17, 2023 has authorized and directed its President and Secretary to make, execute and deliver a memorandum of this Agreement herein set forth.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said parties have caused their corporate names to be affixed by their respective presiding officers, attested by their respective Clerk or Secretary, as the case may be, who has hereto affixed their respective corporate seals the day and year first above-written asper Authority to Agreement per C.R.S. §29-1-203.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement the day and year first above written.

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