SS4A Action Plan – Agate Fire Rural Roads Safety

A proactive, data-driven roadmap to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes across Agate Fire Protection District’s 556-mile rural transportation network.

The Agate Fire Protection District has developed a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan to identify, analyze, and prioritize safety improvements tailored to our extremely rural region. Factors such as higher speeds, limited lighting, long emergency response times, and reduced enforcement create a unique risk profile that requires a Safe System Approach and local collaboration with Elbert County, CDOT, and the Colorado State Patrol.

1. Leadership and Commitment

The Agate Fire Protection District Board of Directors and the Elbert County Board of Commissioners affirm their joint commitment to the roadway safety goals in this Action Plan.

  • Commitment Statement: We will allocate the staff, resources, and inter‑agency coordination necessary to implement the plan.
  • High‑Ranking Official Signatory: Kent Dyson, President, Agate Fire Protection District Board of Directors (signed commitment letter attached).
  • Target Date for Key Milestones: December 31, 2027.

3. Safety Analysis

A geospatial roadway safety analysis was conducted using crash and incident records from 2018–2022.

Data Sources

  • CDOT crash database
  • Local EMS and Fire incident reports
  • Elbert County Sheriff’s Office crash reports
  • Agate School District transportation safety records

High‑Risk Locations

  • I‑70 and County Road 153 – recurring multi‑vehicle, high‑severity crashes
  • Highway 40 through Agate – pedestrian conflicts near school/bus activity
  • County Road 166 and rural gravel roads – higher rollover incidence, winter spikes
Five‑year crash density heatmap (2018–2022), severity‑weighted; red dashed outline shows Agate FPD boundary.

Crash density analysis demonstrates severe incidents concentrated along I‑70 and feeder routes within the Agate FPD, underscoring the need for targeted safety interventions.

5. Policy and Progress Changes

Review of Previous Policies/Plans

  • CDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects (2021)
  • County‑led “Share the Road” rural awareness campaign (2022)

Gaps Identified

  • Limited adoption of Vision Zero‑aligned policies
  • Inconsistent roadway safety communication across jurisdictions

New Policy Commitments

  • Adopt Zero Fatalities Goal by 2030
  • Form an Inter‑Agency Road Safety Committee (AFPD, Elbert County, CDOT District 1)
  • Publish annual roadway safety reports for accountability

6. Strategy and Project Selections

Strategies and projects are prioritized based on crash frequency, severity, and community input. A recurring challenge is extended EMS response times in a large rural district; staffing strategies are prioritized to ensure timely incident response.

Short‑Term (2025–2026)

  • Staff EMS presence at the Agate Fire station during peak I‑70 and SH‑40 traffic hours
  • Cross‑train fire personnel in EMS response

Medium‑Term (2026–2027)

  • Secure funding for at least 6 full‑time EMS providers
  • Establish incentivized on‑call rotation for consistent coverage

Long‑Term (2027–2030)

  • Hybrid staffing model (dedicated EMS + volunteers)
  • Collaborate with county partners for shared EMS resources

Prioritization Criteria

  • Crash history (frequency and severity)
  • Reduction of EMS response times
  • Staffing sustainability and cost‑effectiveness
  • Integration with current volunteer resources

7. Progress and Transparency

The Action Plan, crash maps, and project updates will be posted publicly at Agate Fire Protection District/roadsafety. Progress tracking will include annual public reports, quarterly partner coordination meetings, and open community safety forums each spring.

Stakeholder Working Group

The plan is guided by a working group including Agate Fire command staff, Elbert County Sheriff, Colorado State Patrol, CDOT, Agate School District, Lincoln Health, local businesses, and community members.

Representative members include: Chief Rector; Assistant Chief Rector; Captain Hollembeak; Captain Smith; EMS Lt. Nowak; Fire Lt. Huhman; Agate FPD Board members; Agate Networks; Agate School District; Colorado State Patrol; Elbert County Sheriff; Lincoln Health.

Equity and Inclusion

Equity is embedded throughout planning and implementation, prioritizing vulnerable road users and rural residents, agricultural workers, youth, older adults, and commercial drivers. Outreach includes local events, school partnerships, and targeted campaigns.

Monitoring, KPIs, and Continuous Improvement

Performance monitoring includes annual fatal and serious injury counts and rates, lane‑departure and speed‑related crashes, response times, and community participation metrics. Data sources include CDOT crash reports, EMS/Fire response data, and law enforcement incidents. Quarterly reviews and annual public updates support continuous improvement.

Documents: Updated Action Plan (PDF), Leadership Commitment Letter, Crash Density Heatmap.