The Craig Rural Fire Protection District is looking for someone who feels up to the challenge of making critical decisions about the future of the district.

Bryon Willems vacated his board position last month when board members discovered a district policy that doesn’t allow a board member to also be an active firefighter. Willems resigned his board position to remain on active duty with the department.

“This kind of gives someone a taste of the waters to see if they want to run,” said Vicky Slaight, secretary for the department.

Department officials are accepting applications for Willems’ position that ends in April. Three board positions are up for election in May.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Moffat County and reside within the fire district boundaries. Applications are due by Sept. 14. The board will appoint the replacement member.

Seats held by board members Tommy Cotton, John Whinery and Don Musgrove are up for election in May.

Deputy Fire Chief Bill Johnston said someone thinking about applying to the board should be ready to tackle some of the department’s big issues.

That includes a plan to replace the department’s large equipment and to address an issue of declining volunteer personnel.

“We have a hard time recruiting and retaining part-time paid positions,” he said.

Board members also need to come up with a plan to replace the department’s aging fleet of vehicles.

“It’s the board’s job to find the money,” Johnston said. “That’s a harder part than running the department.”

The department currently receives about $430,000 a year from its mill levy.

Board members serve four-year terms.

Meetings are the third Thursday of each month. Board members cannot have more than three unexcused absences during their terms.

Letters of interest should be mailed to CRFPD at PO Box 351, Craig, CO 81625 or they may be dropped off at the station at 419 Yampa Ave. For more information, call Vicky Slaight at 824-5914.