Robert Wilson
Age: 67
Family: Wife Susan. One son, daughter-in-law, and three grandsons who live in Colorado Springs.
Occupation: Retired electrical engineer, U.S. Department of Energy.
Education: BSEE University of Nebraska, Masters degrees in mathematics and engineering University of Arizona and University of Idaho, PhD in Electrical Engineering University of Idaho.
Previous elected office: N/A
Website: bobwilsonforarvadafire.com
On Facebook: Bob Wilson for Arvada Fire
On Twitter: n/a
Why are you seeking office?
I am running for Director of the Arvada Fire Protection District (AFPD or District) to continue my many years of community service. I learned a great deal about the District while serving on their Blue Ribbon Panel in 2010, followed by attending the AFPD Citizen’s Fire Academy in 2011, then spending a day with the firefighters of Station 2 in 2012. I have particular interest in serving organizations that could benefit from my knowledge of local issues. I would like to use my broad base of technical and engineering skills to help guide the department into the future.
How have you contributed to the community?
I have contributed to the community by serving on the Arvada Fire Protection District Blue Ribbon Panel, the Arvada Gold Line Advisory Committee, the RTD FasTracks Sustainability Committee, and most recently, on the DRCOG MetroVision 2040 Citizen’s Advisory Committee. In addition to participating in numerous meetings and summits on community planning, I am active in the Arvada-Jefferson Kiwanis club and my professional organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society chapter.
What are the biggest issues facing your constituency?
In my opinion, the biggest issues for the Arvada Fire Protection District are:
• To move from an ISO (Insurance Service Organization: http://www.iso.com/About-ISO/Overview/About-ISO.html) rating of 3 to a better rating of 2, which should decrease insurance rates for businesses and industries.
• To finish the application process and be awarded accreditation by the CFAI, the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (http://publicsafetyexcellence.org/agency-accreditation/about-accreditation-cfai.aspx). There are only 187 Districts worldwide that have achieved this distinction, with 30 currently applying. Accreditation should help the District attain the more desirable ISO 2 rating.
• Decide when to build Station 9 in the Candelas area in northwest Arvada. The decision will be a balance between costs and income. Income is based on the number of homes, businesses, and industries, their tax evaluation rate, and the tax revenue they generate. Costs are for the building and a staff of twelve (three shifts, four firefighters/shift) plus overhead. This runs about $1.6M/year.
• Move from a fire protection district to a fire protection and prevention district.
• Improve the District’s sustainability practices, for example, investigate running district equipment on diesel with 5% biodiesel.