Welcome to Gypsum Fire Protection District

Karla Taylor started March 1990 and is an EMT-B. She currently works out at the Eagle County Regional Airport.

Ben Park is one of our Engineers and can be found at any of the local watering holes. No the picture doesn't lie he is really that big. Likes long walks on the beach and all of the Hostess products on the market.

Brita Horn is an part-time paid Engineer, FFII and EMT-B and has been with the department since January 2007. Brita works for Eagle County Ambulance District and she is the Volunteer Chief of Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Brita lives in McCoy with her husband Gary and daughters Abbey and Belle on the family ranch running cows and sheep. The family is involved with 4-H, volleyball and RCVFD. In her spare time, you will never find her taking long walks on the beach with Ben.

Full time Eagle County Sheriff’s Deputy since 1996. Started with the fire service in 1993 with Minturn Fire; now with Eagle River Fire Protection Dist and Gypsum Fire Protection District. Certified in Hazmat Ops, EMT, Firefighter II, Wildland certified.

Ethan Vroman started as a cadet in Sept. 1999 and now is a part-time paid Engineer and EMT-B. He is also a paid firefighter with the Eagle River Fire Protection District.

Jeff Barndardt joined in June 2005 and is now a part-time paid FF I and is going through EMT-B class. He is also on the Summit County dive team and is an ice rescue instructor.

Eric Hill is a Driver Operator & EMT-B. He joined Gypsum in June 2000 and is also a paid Lieutenant with Eagle Fire.

Wade Droegemeier has been with the department since 1999. He worked his way up to paid Captain and Fire Marshal until January 1st 2009 when he resigned his paid position to pursue his private electrical business. He is still a volunteer and our swift water / rope rescue instructor thru Rescue 3 .

Kurt has been in the fire service since 1974. He served the Bethlehem Steel Fire Department for 29 years, retiring as the chief. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter for over 35 years in departments in Indiana and Colorado. Kurt joined Gypsum in October 2006. He is currently an Assistant Professor and the Fire Science Program Coordinator for Colorado Mountain College. Kurt has been an Associate Instructor at Texas A. & M’s Annual Industrial Fire School in College Station for five years, and a Guest Instructor at the Front Range Flammable Liquids School in Commerce City, since 2003. He has earned the following degrees:

Tim Minarovich is FF I, and joined in Dec 2001. Tim is a supervisor with ECO Transit.

Jennifer Kirkland is FF I, EMT-B also a 911 Dispatcher supervisor for Eagle County. She joined in Sept 2002.

Hailing originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He Started volunteering in the spring of '08 while attending classes at Colorado Mountain College. His objectives, after receiving his "Associate of Fire Science", are still being defined. Options include, remaining in Colorado to obtain a B.S. degree while working, military service, the Forest Service or any other opportunities that may be available. His hobbies include random outbursts, eating quantities of food large enough to impress Ben and Snowboarding. He chose the fire service as it was the only job seemingly to appeal to his favorite things breaking things and sweating.

Rhonda Tatham grew up with in the department. As a part of the citizens fire corp she helps to make long calls manageable. She has a master's degree in Education and currently teaches at a middle school in the valley. In her free time she likes to read, hike and just be outside. She enjoys volunteering and helping out when needed.

Steve Tarrant is a Lieutenant and joined in Sept 2001. Steve also owns and operates Brush Creek Landscaping.

I guess you could say I grew up in the fire house, but I didn't officially join the fire dept. until I became a Cadet at the age of 16 in 1995. In 2000, as a compromise with my new husband, I switched over to the Auxiliary (or Citizen Fire Corps) where I have been since. My family have all been involved at one point or another, and I have to admit it was pretty cool growing up with so many extra uncles/aunts/big brothers and sisters.

Carol Tatham has been a member of the auxiliary since Oct 2001 and runs a home daycare business.