By a unanimous vote at their January 30, 2007, regular meeting, the Colfax County Commission voted to purchase four 20,000 gallon water storage tanks for the Moreno Valley Fire Department. The purchase of water storage capacity for Moreno Valley Fire Department was part of a broader long term general plan to provide more water for fire protection, improved capacity to deliver that water (more water tankers), and an overall update to the fire fighting equipment. “our oldest fire engine is nearly 30 years old,” according to Chief Bob Coss. “It’s time to start thinking about updating to newer, more reliable equipment.”

Funding for the water storage tank purchase came from the county’s Fire Excise Tax, which is a 1/4% excise tax on sales in Colfax County, but outside incorporated villages and towns. This fund has been used in the past to purchase water tankers for county fire departments, and even an occasional ambulance for village EMS.

The overall plan for water storage was to purchase four tanks, with delivery on the first two as soon as possible from the vendor, and the final two to be delivered after July 1 the beginning of the next fiscal year. The first two tanks wil installed at the Val Verde Fire Station north of Angel Fire along Highway 64. “These tanks will place water in closer proximity to some of our most populated areas,” according to Chief Coss. The second two tanks will be installed at the Black Lake station, which is another area of the highest concentration of homes in the Moreno Valley Fire Department.

The fire department’s general plan, according to Coss is a “work in progress” for the Moreno Valley. Basically it includes adding water storage throughout the district and more water tankers to deliver that water to a potential fire scene. From there, the district’s fleet of aging equipment will be systematically replaced.

s. In the recent past, for example, the fire department was awarded a FEMA grant to purchase a large breathing air compressor. More recently, they received a $100,000.00 wildland grant from State Forestry to purchase a new wildland fire apparatus. “The good thing about this grant,” according to Bob Coss, “is that funding that’s left over from the purchase of this truck can be applied to the purchase of wildland equipment. Our department is growing and we need more personal protection equipment – like fire shelters – and hand tools for our expanding workforce. Donations from the public are also an important source of funding for MVFD. According to Coss, the public is responsible for much of the day-to-day operations; “especially the wildland part of our work. While we receive funding from the state for our structure protection, we generally receive nothing for wildland protection.” With the exception of the new wildland truck, we generally receive all of our operating funds for wildland protection from donations.

Chief Coss is positive about Moreno Valley Fire Department’s future. When questioned, he’s quick to point out that his firefighter workforce is increasing, his training program is improving, and the department’s general plan is underway and so far appears to be successful. “It’s a good time to be part of this organization. We’re moving forward in several areas, and we feel good about what we’re doing.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to be part of the Moreno Valley Fire Department can contact Bob Coss at 377-1046. People who want to help, but don’t want to fight fires should consider joining the fire department’s Support Unit, which benefits both the county fire department, as well as the Village of Angel Fire Fire Department. Call Charles Wilson at 377-3682.