NVFC Mourns Passing of Board Member Ken Wettstein

November 21, 2023

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Colorado director Ken Wettstein on November 10. Wettstein was a dedicated advocate for the volunteer fire and emergency services at the local, state, and national level.

Joining the NVFC board of directors in 2015, Wettstein served on the Wildland and Standards and Codes Committees. He was also the NVFC’s representative on the NFPA standards committee for 1141, 1142, and 1143 (Wildland and Rural Fire Protection) and an alternate on the NFPA standards committee for 1901, 1906, 1911, and 1912 (Fire Department Apparatus). He previously served on the NVFC’s Hazmat Response, Homeland Security, and Recruitment and Retention Committees and as a director-at-large for the EMS/Rescue Section.

Wettstein joined Holyoke Volunteer Fire and EMS in 1983 and later served with the Sterling Fire Department and the Merino Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Colorado State Fire Fighters Association since 1995. In 2016 he helped found the Colorado State Fire Fighters Foundation, a charity organization whose mission is to train, educate, and support Colorado’s firefighters.

“We grieve the loss of our friend Ken Wettstein and send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. “We are thankful for everything Ken did to serve his local community, the state of Colorado, and the NVFC, and we will continue to carry on his legacy.”

A celebration of life will take place on Friday, December 1. Find details and the full obituary here.