Petition rallies support for Black Forest fire chief

One petition in Black Forest asked residents Thursday to support the Black Forest fire chief in response to a petition calling for his dismissal.

The petition said: “This is a petition in support of the Black Forest Fire Department’sFire Chief Bob Harvey. Chief Harvey has done the right thing and this is to counter a petition that is circulatingto have theChief removed.”

“We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act and to publically support the chief and to reaffirm that he is the leader of our fire department.”

The petition competed with signatures for a petition that calls for Harvey’s dismissal.

Bill Buckman knew which petition he would sign.

“I think chief Harvey is a good man and he did an excellent job during this fire,” said Buckman.

El Paso County sheriff Terry Maketa said it took more than two hours for Harvey to pass command of the Black Forest Fire Department to the sheriff’s office.

Maketa said it delayed more resources from getting into the fire fight early.

“It’s got to be more than listening to Sheriff Maketa because I don’t think he has his facts straight on everything,” said Buckman.

The petition to dismiss Chief Harvey will be turned in at the next fire board meeting.

“He is not as open as he should be for what happened,” said Black Forest resident David Hoffpauir.

Hoffpauir’s name is listed on the petition to dismiss Harvey. He wants answers from the fire chief.

“I think he needs to come out and face the people who are asking the questions,” said Hoffpauir.

The Black Forest Fire Department said its next board meeting is December 10th at Fire Station 1 on Teachout Road.