Nearly 300 names on petition to dismiss the Black Forest Fire Chief

Nearly 300 signatures were handed to the Board of Directors of the Black Forest Fire/Rescue District. Each person, demanding Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey be immediately dismissed.

“It’s not going to matter to them because they don’t want to listen,” said PJ Langmaid, a firefighter who lost his home in the Black Forest Fire and started the petition.

The petition won’t be able to recall Harvey since he is appointed, not elected. But elections are the next step for residents who aren’t happy how the Board is handling this situation.

“We have our choice and we will be voting them out, replacing the fire board and getting a new chief. It’s as simple as that,” Langmaid said.

The Board and Harvey declined to answer any of the residents’ questions regarding the conduct of the fire. Board Chairman Eddie Bracken said no comment will be the only answer until at least the New Year.

The Board hired a retired Greenwood Village Police Commander to investigate the decisions made by Harvey early in the Black Forest Fire and accusations by Sheriff Terry Maketa disputing Harvey’s timeline of events. The results of that investigation are expected early next year.