Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde announces retirement

Chief spent 8½ years in city and 40 years overall in firefighting
Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde has served 8½ years in Cortez and 40 years in the fire service overall.

Chief Jeff Vandevoorde requested approval for his resignation from the Cortez Fire Protection District board on Wednesday night.

He is retiring after 8½ years serving Cortez and 40 years in the fire service overall.

Vandevoorde said he is proud of his accomplishments as chief, but looks forward to spending time with his family.

“I was able to get a new engine, a new brush truck, a new station,” Vandevoorde said. “It has been a really good experience.”

The board will decide how to find the chief’s replacement at next month’s board meeting.

In addition, the board passed its 2018 budget.

The Cortez Fire Protection District holds its monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at 23 N. Washington St. station.

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