On May 16, 2006 Richard O'Grady of Northglenn was honored for 20 years of service to the North Metro Fire Rescue District Board. His last official duty was to swear in two newly elected Board Members from the May 2, 2006 election.

Richard O'Grady was appointed to fill a vacancy on the West Adams Colorado Fire Protection District (prior organizational name to North Metro Fire Rescue District) Board of Directors in February 1985. At that time he also served the role as the Board's Secretary until he was elected to the role of President in 1988. Seventeen years later, Richard O'Grady has finished his time on the North Metro Fire Rescue District in this Presidential position. His service and dedication have been unmatched and greatly appreciated. Here is a list of just some of the contributions he has made to North Metro Fire Rescue:

Specific Contributions to theFire District:

• Instrumental in helping to establish Technical Rescue Capability in the Fire District.
• Negotiated with Broomfield to have North Metro as the single Fire District providing coverage when the City became the first new county (1992) in Colorado since 1908.
• Helped to expand Fire District boundaries and service levels to keep up with the City & County of Broomfield's needs.
• Established First Responder Paramedic Engine as minimum service level from every fire station in the Fire District.
• Assisted in negotiations with developers to acquire 100' Aerial Apparatus, land acquisition for 3 new fire stations & funding for Station 66 on the NorthWest Parkway

General participation/contributions to the Fire District:

• Fire District transition from basic life support to Paramedic engine responders.
• Eliminated one person station staffing and established minimum three staff level.
• Helped in establishing North Metro Fire Rescue Authority Merger (Thornton & the Fire District).
• Assisted with long-term strategic planning for Fire District to ensure fire department funding and facilities to keep up with growth.
• Leadership in funding & acquisition of Truck equipment replacements (going from 12-year old equipment to current first line equipment with average age of 4 yrs.)
• Leadership in establishing ambulance services to Fire District residents in 2000.
• Continuing to work on proposed Regional Training Center in North Metro Fire Rescue District to provide training opportunities to first responders (police/fire).
• Assisted in formulation of Regional Adams/Jefferson/Broomfield Hazardous Material Agency to provide cooperative HazMat services to three county area.
• Leadership in establishing wildland training & staffing system to provide assistance to Colorado agencies in major wildland events. (Deployment team at incidents as for back as Yellowstone Fires)

Richard O'Grady received a commemorative bell as a token of appreciation from the Fire District.