New chief at Sable Altura

AURORA | The Sable Altura Fire Department, which serves unincorporated areas east of Aurora, has a new fire chief. 

The fire department announced Monday that Matthew D. Hilinski Sr. was sworn in as new chief last week. 

Hilinski, who previously served as fire chief at the now de-commissioned Rocky Mountain Arsenal, takes over for Mark Campagnola. Campagnola retired in September after more than 20 years of service. 

Click below for the release from Sable Altura fire. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Arapahoe County, CO - For the first time in over twenty years, the Sable Altura Fire Department near 

Aurora, Colorado has appointed a new Fire Chief.  As of 03/03/2011, Chief Matthew D. Hilinski Sr. has 

taken over the roles and responsibilities of Fire Chief for this Special District in unincorporated Arapahoe 

County, to the east of the City of Aurora. 

After the retirement of Chief Mark Campagnola in September of 2010, the Board of Directors for the 

Sable Altura Fire Protection District began a nationwide search for a new Fire Chief.  Chief Hilinski had 

been serving as the interim Chief for the department since September of 2009.  After an exhaustive 

search and testing of applicants, Chief Hilinski was confirmed, and sworn in by Board President Richard 

Ahrenkiel on 03/03/2011.   

The event was attended by Fire Chiefs and command staffs from nearby Aurora Fire Department, 

Buckley Air Force Base Fire Department, Bennett Fire Department, Strasburg Fire Department, and the 

Byers Fire Department.  Chief Hilinski was surrounded by friends, family, his firefighters, and 

distinguished guests as his wife of 34 years, Ruth Hilinski, pinned his badge to his uniform jacket. 

Chief Hilinski brings over 30 years of fire experience to the job.  In addition to his many years of service 

to the United States Air Force and Sable Altura Fire as its Fire Marshall, he is also the retired Fire Chief of 

the now de-commissioned Rocky Mountain Arsenal.   

The women and men of this proud agency welcome their new Chief to his duty, and look forward to 

many years of service under his leadership 

The Sable Altura Fire Protection District is a Special District under the State of Colorado, and 

encompasses over 26 square miles in areas of unincorporated Arapahoe County, Adams County, and 

Commerce City, Colorado.  The district is served 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a combination of 

paid career and volunteer staff.  The district currently operates from a single station, which also houses 

the Administration Offices at 26900 E. Colfax Ave #52, Aurora, Colorado 80018.  For inquiries, please 

contact our Public Information Officer at 303-364-7187.