Tamara Jones was hired by the Board of Directors in December 2024.  Dave Nowlan had been acting interim Fire Chief as of September 18, 2024.

I am a Colorado Native.  I am happily married and the proud mother of two beautiful and intelligent boys.  My husband is also a Colorado native! We moved from Arvada Colorado to arrive in Westcliffe about 6 years ago and never looked back. 

Much of our family has lived in Westcliffe for generations. My great grandmother had a cabin along Lake Deweese. My husband's cousin was the former county cartographer.

I suppose one could say we "moved on our feet'.  Denver changed much in recent years, and we craved a more unfiltered approach to life.  

My family and I are so grateful and delighted to be in nature, to own livestock and to be closer to God than we could have ever imagined.

Life is not as easy here or convenient as it is in the city, but it is far better.

Growing up, my passions were playing orchestral music and playing sports.  Any sport I could participate in!  I adore the comradery, synchronicity and competition!  My fields range from a private business owner, to sports trainer and coach, to a bookkeeper at a law firm to oral surgical assistant. I just love to learn and have an unquenchable curiosity.

When we moved to Westcliffe, I quickly became involved with the Wet Mountain Fire Department.  I wanted to give back to my community and meet some of the local heroes.  

I discovered that, The Wet Mountain Fire department has a very high vetting process and rigorous training schedule. They are kind and diligent with all their volunteers.  I attribute them to much of my passion for the fire industry. Wet Mountain also awarded me a scholarship to EMT school then to get my IV certification after hosting many other certifications and trainings from Fire 1 to wildland to hazmat.

Previously, I was the Deer Mountain EMS Chief, promoted by former Chief JR Niblett but fire really is my primary passion and now, with the full support of my family I am blessed and excited to part of the fire side of Deer Mountain family.  

Looking forward to a new adventure with an amazing staff and dedicated volunteers.