PEYTON, COLO. -- The Peyton Fire Department's remaining firefighters are already seeing how difficult their jobs are just five days after 11 Peyton volunteer firefighters quit.
A shed fire killed several farm animals over the weekend, and Peyton fire crews had to call 14 firefighters from the surrounding agencies of Falcon, Ellicott and Calhan to help battle the fire.
Fire officials said Wednesday the town has nothing to worry about because five firefighters and the fire chief still remain. But calling for outside help for the first major fire since the walkout may be a sign all is not well in the department. After all, crews from surrounding communities may not always be around at the convenience of a phone call to help.
The firefighters who quit were concerned with safety issues stemming from the reinstatement of Fire Chief Jack Rauer. Rauer was put on two weeks paid leave while the Peyton Fire Protection District Board investigated the complaints. After Rauer was reinstated, 11 of the 16 firefighters left the department.
The Peyton Fire Department is currently recruiting new firefighters to replace the ones who quit.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM