Dotsero Training Facility

Throughout fall semester, the CCMC's Fire Academy is giving students live structure fire experience in the college's Dotsero Training Facility located just off I-70. Photo Ed Kosmicki

CMC Fire Academy students training with live fire at Dotsero Training Facility

For over 50 years Colorado Mountain College has been training first responders. The college’s commitment continues this week, as firefighter trainees from CMC’s Fire Academy receive hands-on experience inside the Dotsero Training Facility with live fire near the 32,000-acre Grizzly Creek Fire.

The center is housed in a large vertical building that sits north of I-70 on the east side of Glenwood Canyon.

“With the Grizzly Creek Fire being so close to where our training is being held, it is important for our trainees to learn the importance of structure protection and how to apply it to their communities,” said Zak Miller, CMC’s college-wide fire science program coordinator based at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards.

Motorists traveling along I-70 may see smoke and fire as a result of this training, which is under strict guidelines and will be permitted to only burn in the center’s non-combustible building with favorable weather conditions.

Due to the increase in fire starts, drought conditions and a statewide fire ban, the college needed approval from Gypsum Fire and the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office to allow the fire academy to train with live fire in the facility.

“It’s the goal of Colorado Mountain College to put as many firefighters as possible into departments to help fight these fires,” said Miller.

The college also offers firefighting instruction in Leadville and Rifle.

“Colorado Mountain College prides itself on providing education to better serve our communities and to do it in a safe manner,” Miller said.

Live structure fire training will be held sporadically through fall semester, from Sept. 9-Dec. 11.  For questions about the Dotsero Training Facility, contact Zak Miller at zsmiller@mail.coloradomtn.edu. For more information about the CMC Fire Academy visit https://coloradomtn.edu/programs/fire-academy/.

Photo of Mary Moon

Mary Moon

Director, High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)
970-947-8462 | mpmoon@coloradomtn.edu

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Cory Rikard

College Counselor
970-947-8480 | crikard2@coloradomtn.edu

Philip Halliwell, Ph.D.

Professor of Environmental Science
phalliwell@coloradomtn.edu

Philip HalliwellEducation

Ph.D., Sustainability Education, Prescott College
M.S., Environmental Engineering, Penn State
B.S., Industrial Engineering, Penn State

Awards

  • Adjunct Faculty of the Year, 2014

Professional Interests

  • Citizen Science
  • Social Ecology
  • National Parks
  • Connected Learning
  • Connecting underrepresented students in the sciences

Personal Interests

When not teaching I love enjoying the mountains with my family. I do my share of trail running, rafting, and fly fishing in the summer and when winter hits I'm either skiing or playing hockey.

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Josh Hollon

Technology Support Specialist
jhollon@coloradomtn.edu

Photo of Kim Stacy

Kim Stacy

Teacher, Children's Mini College
970-945-2446

I am a Colorado native who loves any activity that gets me into the wilderness. I traveled around the world with my husband before we had children. We have a daughter and a son who are now in their 30’s. Children are the best teachers and they led me to my passion for young children and the importance of a person’s early years.

Education/Experience: Bachelors of Science in Physics/Chemistry from Fort Lewis College, 1982,  and hundreds of hours in Child Development and Early Child Education starting in 1995.

I love Children’s Mini College because I love being with young children. They remind me of the best qualities of life.

I deeply respect my fellow teachers and believe in the philosophy that we have chosen to follow. I am grateful to be a part of this high quality preschool.

 

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