DeGray
David Samuel, FireWise Coordinator, met with members of the DeGray community on Sept. 9, 2008, to discuss the Firewise Communities/USA recognition process and AFC mitigation grant opportunities.
"The board appeared to be very interested in working with several communities in their fire district to help them become certified," Samuel said.
The DeGray Volunteer Fire Deaprtment Board of Directors is Orville E. Buck, Jo Butler, Gary Hipps, Frank McLemore, Mike French, and Carley A. Bledsoe, Jr.
Roy Neil May, Arkansas Forestry Commission Clark County Ranger, also joined Samuel at the meeting.
For additional pictures of the DeGray community click here.
 Whelen Springs and Beirne
An Introduction to the Firewise Communities/USA process and risk assessment training was conducted Sept. 17, 2007, at Whelen Springs.
"Neil May, Clark County Ranger, continues to recruit new communities to join our team," said David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise coordinator. "It was an excellent meeting last night with the volunteer fire department and homeowners of Whelen Springs."
Attending the meeting were Whelen Springs residents Sam LeMay, Fire Chief; Chris Malcolm, Assistant Fire Chief; Dwight Malcolm, Becky Malcolm, Brandon Malcolm, Jerry Cooper, Gertrude Cooper, C.M. Cooper, Boyce Stone, Debbie LeMay, Jerry Gates, Robert Schee, Hal Harper and Tracy Sparks; Dennis Frisby, Beirne Assistant Fire Chief; Neil May, Clark County Ranger, and David Samuel.
Following the meeting, a Firewise board was organized for the community of Whelen Springs. Board members are Robert Schee, chair; Sam LeMay, vice-chair; Terry LeMay, Hal Harper, Boyce Stone, Jerry Gates and Neil May.
 
 
To view more photos of the Whelen Springs community, click here. To view more photos of the Beirne community, click here.
Gum Springs
A meeting to discuss the Firewise Communities/USA process was held June 21, 2007, at the Gum Springs Fire Station. Those attending were also trained on how to conduct home risk assessments.
Attending the meeting were Jimmy Brown, Fire Chief; Brian Bagwell, Assistant Fire Chief; Travis Fire, Captain; and firefighters Jeff Jarrett, Tonya Jarrett, James Riley, Willie Hamilton, Jake Jones, Marty Thibodeaux, Cory Johnson, Nathan Wells, Michael Shepherd, Rick Loy, Brent Tucker and Michael Brown; AFC Clark County Ranger Neil May, and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator.
Prior to the meeting, David Samuel assessed the community's wildfire risk on the following roads — Jones Street, Snyder Road, Ferguson Road, Decipher Hill Road, Central Road, Dress Road, Hillcrest Street and South Woods Road. Some of the homes next to the large forested areas are a high risk, however, the entire community would rate moderate.
"Although the fire department is challenged with a small budget and lack of equipment, the number of volunteers is sufficient and the morale is high. The firefighters were very receptive to Firewise, and are working towards recognition," said Samuel. "County Ranger Neil May is respected by the firefighters and supportive of their efforts to make Gum Springs a safe community."
 
To view additional photos of the Gum Springs community, click here.
Amity and Alpine
On May 7, 2007, two Clark County communities joined the Arkansas FireWise team — Amity and Alpine.
Attending the Introduction to the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition process and risk assessment training were B.J. Johns, Fire Chief; Gary Buck, Truck Captain; Ricky Johnson, firefighter; Bobby Hill Jr., firefighter; Chad Prince, Captain; Jeremy Cook, Captain; Barbara Huston, treasurer/firefighter for Amity and Alpine Fire Departments; Neil May, AFC County Ranger, and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator. Several firefighters attending the meeting belong to both the Amity and Alpine Fire Departments.
To view photos of the Amity community, click here. To view photos of the Alpine community, click here.
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