Alex J. Averette appeared in court Friday after admitting to investigators that he used a lighter to start what became the 600-acre County Road 102 Fire on June 24, 2012 near Elbert, Colorado (map). The 19-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch volunteer firefighter with the Elbert Fire Protection District was the first to report the fire and the first person on scene. He said he lit the fire “for the experience”, according to Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap.
More than 100 firefighters from many jurisdictions helped suppress the fire. Resources were scarce at that time due to the Waldo Canyon Fire which started the day before and on June 26 burned into the city of Colorado Springs destroying 346 homes.
Mr. Averette was unable to come up with the $50,000 bond and remains in custody. The court denied a request for him to be released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 8.
In a statement on the Elbert Fire Protection District’s web site, Chief John Gresham addressed the news of the firefighter’s arrest. Here is an excerpt:
As Fire Chief of the Elbert Fire Protection District, on behalf of all volunteers of the Fire Department and citizens of the District, I would like to commend Sheriff Shayne Heap and the Sheriff’s Department Investigations Unit for their thorough and professional efforts in determining that last summer’s County Road 102 fire was intentionally set and then identifying and apprehending the suspected arsonist, who was a volunteer member of the Elbert Fire Department.
I speak for all officers and volunteers of the Elbert Fire Department, as well as members of the Elbert community, in stating we were shocked and saddened to learn the alleged arsonist was one of our own. Of course, that individual has been placed on indefinite suspension from all Departmental activities, pending outcome of the legal proceedings.
While such an unfortunate act on the part of a misguided individual may occur, such an act is an extreme exception, in contrast to the commitment to public service exhibited by the dedication, goodwill and hard work conducted by the vast majority of our volunteer members. Although this turn of events is discouraging, the Elbert Fire Department and each of its officers and volunteers remains committed to contributing to the welfare of our community as well-trained public safety volunteers. We continue to seek those individuals willing to offer their services to the community and provide those persons with training and guidance for the benefit of public safety in the Town of Elbert and the surrounding areas.
So you are saying most arsonists start out at the dept with good intentions and then turn bad? That astounds me. I figured most of em started as a fire bug and then became firefighters. I have read about firefighters boycotting a restaurant because they did not get the recognition (discount) they thought they deserved, so the hero thing you mentioned makes sense to me. The whole thing about arson disturbes me. I am still proud to be a volunteer though.
Good leadership and command of a fire department along with carefull screening of applicants will usually keep them from ever joining the department in any capicity. Thats why a good selection process and background checks are need. Cumbersome and expensive yes, but well worth the time and money.
As a young firefighter, myself and my Engine Boss stopped in a small Colorado cafe for coffee. We got up to leave and the waitress said it’s on the house since you are firemen. The boss waited till she had turned her back then said pony up, and we left her a combined five dollar tip, a lot back then. Outside he explained that despite the good intentions of the owner, by leaving her a good tip we had put a lot of good will in that establishment and the community.
Firefighter zero,
There have been some interesting studies done on this and often firefighters who turn to arson are in it for the thrill factor and to be recognized as the “Hero” figure.
I worked as a wildland arson investigator for several years and the interviews with suspects some times got very interesting and often very weird. Suspects included a couple of fire fighters.
You might try the book Fire Lover, by Joseph Wambaugh a classic on a firefighter gone bad.
With all due respect, the vast majority of volunteer fire-fighters are dedicated, hard working, people committed to the protection of the community and want to keep the arsonist out of their department.
as a volunteer fire fighter and part time EFF with the state of Montana, i am troubled with all of the vol. firefighter arsons. It casts all vols. in a bad light. I wonder if vol. firefighters are prone to becoming arsonists or arsonists are prone to becoming vol. firefighters. May have just answered my own question.