Alexander

Recognized Firewise Community/USA 2009

Pictured above are Alexander Fire Department personnel: William Blankenship, Adrian Beck and Brian Bartle
The three have been instrumental in completing the two projects featured below in late November and December of 2009.

Project 1 involved the clearing of the pictured secondary access point to Altom Drive. This rural area in Saline County has homes and hills sprinkled throughout the fire district. Altom Drive had a single point of access on East Azeala. As seen above, mitigation efforts included clearing an old road long covered by years of debris and erosion. Fire trucks can now access various homes at the top of the hill from this back entrance should the main entrance on East Azeala ever become compromised. Eight fire department members were involved with
this project. A tractor, chain saws and pole saws were the primary tools used to clear the path. This project is an examplary use of FireWise hours and personnel. Secondary access points provide thesehomes with valuable escape routes that haven't existed in several years.

Project 2 involved the clearing of Fourth Street, pictured above. In the past tree branches have overhung this entire roadway. Fire Department members described bad visibility and a dangerous path for all emergency personnel with thick debris blocking the road.
Power lines also benefitted from this cleanup, as tree branches were beginning to encroach on safety space between
woody branches and electric lines.