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Writer's pictureChief Mark Trostel

Chief's Corner - Wildfire Safety - May 2023

Greetings BIS members!


Earlier this month I attended the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) town hall on wildfire planning, mitigation and response. The outstanding information provided

specifically included our Broadmoor Community which is designated as a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and consequently has a greater than normal risk for wildfires. The possibility of a wildfire is ever present as a result. The wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts of CSFD were presented along with information about what we, as residents in the Broadmoor area, can do to help prevent or minimize the effects of wildfires. A link to the CSFD Wildfire Ready Program is now on the BIS website and provides more in-depth information for our BIS family.



One of the greatest concerns I have developed, in my short time as your BIS Chief, is the evacuation challenges we face in the event of a major wildfire or other natural disaster, in our community. We have limited routes and roadways to accommodate the traffic flow should a major fire develop and the need to evacuate arises. Because of these limited numbers of roadways in and out of the Broadmoor Community, members need to be prepared to evacuate in the event of a wildfire or other natural disaster. If a wildfire is growing and spreading near our community, early evacuation is best. Our roads could quickly become a log jam of vehicles if an advancing fire is sweeping down upon us. Some pre-planning can go a long way.


Communication and early information is key to your and your family’s safety. The Colorado Springs area has COS Ready, which provides timely and informative “Peak Alerts” via Text Messages to all who register for this free service when emergency situations and critical incidents such as man-made or natural disasters, missing persons, law enforcement activity and wildfires develop. I encourage all members and non-members to protect your selves and your loved ones by signing up for the Peak Alert notifications. It is free and easy to register. Your address defines your zone and your cell phone number is registered so you can receive these vital, zone specific, text messages. Likewise, making a plan to evacuate in the event of a wildfire is critical.


1. Sign up for Peak Alerts at: www.coloradosprings.gov/ready

2. Know Your Zone

3. Make a Plan – remember the 6 P’s

a. People and Pets

b. Papers, Phone Numbers and Important Documents

c. Prescriptions and Eyeglasses

d. Pictures and Irreplaceable Memorabilia

e. Personal Computer Hard Drives and Disks

f. Plastic – Credit Cards, ATM Cards and Cash


Won’t you please join me in signing up for COS Ready Peak Alerts? Encourage your neighbors to do so as well. Thank you for being a member of the BIS Family and for taking a proactive role to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like more information.


Colonel Mark Trostel, BIS Chief

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