FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Platte River Power Authority renewed its community commitment and successful mutual aid agreement with the Wellington Fire Department by donating funds used to purchase new Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). The defibrillators will be carried on fire trucks responding to medical emergency call-outs.
Bob Skillman, Platte River's health & safety manager, presented newly elected Wellington Fire Chief, Kenneth Betchel, Sr. with a check marking the fourth year Platte River has donated funds to the fire department. Previously donated funds were used for AEDs for Stations 1 and 2 located at Wellington and Waverly, respectively, foam system for the fire engines and emergency lighting.
Chief Betchel, a 17-year veteran firefighter with Wellington, said, "In all the years I’ve been with Wellington, working with Platte River and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) at Platte River's Rawhide Energy Station has been outstanding, especially when responding to emergencies on I-25."
Skillman echoed Chief Betchel, adding, "We, at Platte River, look forward to working with, and improving, our successful relationship with Wellington Fire."
Platte River and Wellington Fire work together under an agreement that calls for Wellington Fire to respond and back-up the ERT at Rawhide when needed. The ERT, made-up of trained firefighter and EMT employees, in turn, responds to requests from Wellington Fire. Both groups train together at various times throughout the year.
The Rawhide Energy Station is located approximately 15 miles north of Wellington.
Platte River Power Authority generates reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity used by its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland since 1973.
Wellington Fire Department, organized in 1905, is comprised of volunteer firefighters who respond to emergencies and fires throughout northern Colorado.