Colorado undergoing first statewide risk assessment to better understand the threat fires pose
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Friday morning, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control along with the International Public Safety Data Institute held a meeting with fire officials in Colorado Springs to discuss the fire risk in Colorado Springs.
The Pikes Peak Area was just one stop across the state fire officials have made this week to discuss about the threat wildfires pose to Coloradans.
Right now, the state has data when it comes to fire risk, but officials say that information tells an incomplete story. They're now conducting a new Statewide Risk Assessment.
Officials say stakeholder feedback and engagement give powerful context to data, a vital part of understanding the impact a fire can have on communities and residents.
The meetings discuss how fire impacts different communities, help to learn about challenges communities face beyond fire, and help to understand the varied impact across urban, rural, suburban, and undeveloped areas.
Across the state, communities have said fire danger, whether that be wildfires or urban fires started at homeless camps, has been the top concern.
Officials say identifying risks allows jurisdictions to know how they can adapt, prepare for, and address them.
"It’s tremendously cost saving to jurisdictions if they’re not addressing nuisance calls or emergencies that could be prevented, it keeps the fire service in service for true emergencies that only the fire service can address," said Chuck Altvater, the Professional Development Unit Chief.
Over the next few months, the data will be analyzed and a dashboard will be created. The dashboard will be available to all local jurisdictions.
