Radios had one channel and portable radios didn't arrive until later on. Basic first aid was taught. The equipment is comparable, firefighters are well trained and most are certified. Everyone is dispatched by a Fire Dispatcher at the Regional Communication Center. Most are medically trained as EMTs and many are paramedics.
Equipment is modern and firefighter safety is paramount.
The difference is that volunteers leave their regular jobs to respond to emergencies, to train, to attend meetings, and to support the community on their own time. Nederland's fire fighters are volunteers. New equipment, stations, radios, pagers, and training prepare them to best serve the citizens that comprise the Nederland Fire Protection District. He is a 20-year veteran of the Boulder City Fire Department, rising in the ranks to Assistant Chief. For the past 14 years he's worked for the Boulder County Sheriff's Department, serving as Officer of Emergency Services for the past seven years.