We Are Here To Serve You

The Colorado Emergency Services Association (CESA) was formed in 1991.

Our founders and supporters:

  • Daniel Qualman (former Chief of Parker / South Metro Fire Protection District)
  • Joe Schumacher of Arvada Fire Protection District
  • George Mazzotti (former Chief of North Washington Fire Protection District)
  • Ken Ranson, President of Fire Rescue Insurance Services, Inc.
  • Earl McFarland, President of Earl McFarland Insurance Agency, Inc., VFIS of Colorado
  • Ken Westlund, Executive Director of Colorado Emergency Services Association

Ken Ranson served the Association as its broker for Pinnacol Assurance and is one of the persons that helped get Colorado Emergency Services Association off the ground. Ken Westlund served as Volunteer Secretary, then as Colorado Emergency Services Association Executive Director.

The Colorado Emergency Services Association currently consists of over 60 members including Fire Departments, Ambulance and Rescue Departments, and Municipalities throughout Colorado. It is an association formed to help its members band together to help each other in safety programs and workers compensation. Since its inception, we have seen over a 50% reduction in workers compensation premiums.

We currently have several members that are Cost Containment Certified by the Colorado Division of Labor. Cost Containment Certified means that they have a program in place for over one year to address safety in and around the workplace. This includes Designated Medical Providers that they use for all job-related injuries.

We have an honor roll of members that have reached this status and have maintained it. Members have to update their certification with the Colorado Department of Labor annually and get recertification. They do this by keeping their program in place and keeping their losses to a minimum. With certification from the Department of Labor, they also receive a reduction in their Workers’ Compensation premiums.

The Colorado Emergency Services Association has a Board of Directors and a Safety Committee.

The Board of Directors of the Colorado Emergency Services Association meet as needed, then have an annual meeting of the membership where elections are held for directors. The board elects its officers from the Directors.

The Safety Committee meets quarterly at different locations around the state.