Chief Dave Vroman
Married since 1978 to the same woman,
father of three, grandpa to four.
I was raised on a ranch located between Cheyenne, Laramie, and Fort Collins,
with property on both sides of the state line of Colorado and Wyoming. I
attended community college in Cheyenne, and one year at the University of
Wyoming. I went to work fulltime in the oil patch in the early 70’s... teaching
was not the calling I was looking for.
I came to Eagle County in 1979; the oil patch had stopped and the work here at
the time was building Interstate Seventy.
While in college I was a volunteer with Southside Volunteers in Cheyenne, and
the Big Laramie Valley Volunteers. Armed with very little experience, I started
with Gypsum in 1979, and assisted with the formation of the district from 1979
to 1982, also helping to build the station on Second Street from 1982-83. I was
promoted to Chief in the spring of 1984, and became the first paid officer in
1990.
As a chief officer, mentoring these young men and women to be the best is my
goal every day. All of these firefighters are entrusted to us – Safety is our
most important function because our firefighters are the most important asset.
"This is truly the best job in the world. The Brotherhood (non-gender term,
includes all of the sisters) of the fire service is the best fraternity."
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.11
Anna Doig (& Bear)
Financial Manager
Anna has been with us for 12 years as our financial manager. Quite simply, we would be lost without her.
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.10
Captain Ray VanNatta
Captain Ray VanNatta was an 11 year volunteer with the Gypsum Fire Protection District before joining the Department fulltime in 2001. Ray and his wife Julie have been residents of Gypsum since 1990. They are proud to say they have raised two children here and currently have four grandchildren. To relax Ray enjoys hunting, four wheeling, recreational vehicling, visiting with family, and scuba diving.
Ray enjoys the small town atmosphere of Gypsum.
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.12
Captain / Fire Marshal Justin Kirkland
Justin Kirkland joined Gypsum Fire in 2001 as a volunteer. Justin is a Colorado native and grew up in Eagle County. Justin has a BA in Technical Theatre Design from the University of Northern Colorado. He worked for several years as a sound engineer for C&S Productions, a local sound and lighting production company. Justin has been in the fire service for 14 years and received most of his emergency service training while volunteering with Minturn Fire and Gypsum Fire. He was the Supervisor for Beaver Creek Public Safety until becoming a full-time Lieutenant with Gypsum Fire in April of 2006. He became the Fire Marshal and Captain January 1st 2009, he also runs the information technologies and leads the wildland operations.
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.15
Lieutenant Thad Vroman
Lt. Vroman is now serving his 12th year as a member and is the department Training Officer.
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.14
Lieutenant Daniel Valdez
Lt. Daniel Valdez joined Gypsum Fire as a volunteer in May 2002 before earning a full time paid position in April of 2007. He previously worked as a Lieutenant with Eagle County ARFF.
Contact:
970-524-7101 ext.14
Elected Fire Board
Tammy Conway
President
Currently serving on the board of directors for Gypsum Fire District, Western Eagle County Metro Recreation District (WECMRD), Gypsum Daze and Gypsum Recreation committees. Former school accountability member for Eagle Valley and Gypsum Elementary, Eagle Valley Middle and Eagle Valley High Schools, Gypsum Elementary PTA and Eagle Valley High School Booster Club member and board president. Born into a community service orientated family I can't help but be involved in my community. In my spare time I enjoy my family, reading, scrap booking, travel, and community service. I am a proud 24 year resident of Gypsum and native of Eagle County with 2 grown children, three dogs, a cat, 4 nephews and 2 nieces.
Patrick Johnson
Vice President
My family has lived in Gypsum since 1994. My wife Liz, is director of classifieds for Colorado Mountain News Media (Vail Daily, Summit Daily, Glenwood Post, etc...)?in the Glenwood office. We have 2 grown daughters and 2 daughters still at home. I was a volunteer with Gypsum Fire Protection District for ten years. I retired and became a board of director member when I realized I was unable to keep up with the training needed to be an effective firefighter. I believe that if you can't be part of the solution don't be part of the problem. I want to help make our Fire Department as financially sound, cost effective, professional, and up to date with equipment and training as possible.
Rocco LaGuardia
Treasurer
Rocco retired as a Captain in March of 1995 after serving 26 years with the North Washington Fire Protection District. During his service he was the recipient of 2 life saving awards, and was an arson investigator instructor, EMT, and a hazardous materials responder.
Pete Nolan
Secretary
Bill Stephens
Director