Chief's Corner
April 2006

The Donald Wescott Fire District will be celebrating 25 years of professional service this year.  This, in itself, is a significant milestone in any fire department’s history.  What really makes the difference is how the department has progressed from a lone rural county station to a fire protection district. 

Many dedicated men and women volunteered their time and services to form a fire department formally known as the El Paso County Volunteers which operated out of a single firehouse located on Vincent Drive.  At the time there was not much on the north end and they only provided protection for wildland fires in their area. 

As time and growth went on the department provided structural fire protection and started getting into limited emergency medical treatment, all done with monetary donations since they were not a district.  This went on for years providing service without fee since there was no major organized fire protection in the area.  This included the city of Colorado Springs that had its own growing pains to keep up with. 

In 1976 an unfortunate incident occurred while fighting an apartment fire, one volunteer firefighter and 3 residents died in the structure.  That fireman was Donald Wescott, a volunteer who was retired from active duty with the United States Air Force at the time of his death.  He made the ultimate sacrifice for his community.  It is this caliber of firefighter we had then and still have today among our ranks, dedicated to public safety and yes, willing to put their lives on the line. 

In 1981, with thoughts to improving the area’s fire protection for all, the Wescott Fire District was formed and named in memory of Donald, the last firefighter to give his life in the line of duty here in El Paso County.   Now the department was ready to provide even more services.  With a little more reliable cash flow, they were able to purchase some much needed equipment.  Still all volunteer, mind you, but with newer equipment for that time period. 

Now, in 2006, we are classified as a combination department with both paid and volunteers, an ISO rating of 5/9, and with some of the most modern equipment and training to get the job done.  We still need our volunteers since it is costly for an all career staff, but having them allows us to be staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  An agreement with American Medical Response keeps a paramedic ambulance in the district as well. 

As you see in this short narrative, we have come a long way and continue to improve.  We are keeping up with latest technology and training to serve you and the surrounding area.  We stand ready for you our public, to educate and assist you in your time of need.  We hope you never need our services but be confident that the firefighters at Wescott will be here for you as we have for the past 25 years.  “Count on us”. 

Very Respectfully,
Chief Jeff Edwards