Green Forest Firewise board

Green Forest

Recognized Firewise Community/USA

Green Forest joined the Arkansas FireWise team on Aug. 3, 2005, and became a recognized Firewise Community/USA on Sept. 21, 2006. A luncheon and recognition ceremony was held Dec. 14, 2006, in the Garden View Room of the Clinton Presidential Library.

Accepting a plaque on behalf of the community was Bill Doyle. Also pictured are John Shannon, State Forester; Tony Siciliano, Arkansas FireWise consultant; Patricia Siciliano, Arkansas FireWise consultant; Michele Steinberg, Firewise Communities Support Manager, and Don McBride, Assistant State Forester-Protection.

Attending the organizational meeting on Aug. 3, 2005 were Green Forest Mayor Richard Deweese, Buddy Fry, Department of Public Works, and Green Forest Fire Department members Lt. Billy Doyle, Jamie Robinson, Kenneth Gibson, Paul McCormick and Joshua McCormick; Arkansas FireWise Consultant Tony Siciliano and AFC Carroll County Ranger Darrell Bohannon.

The first half of the meeting was an introduction to Arkansas FireWise and the Firewise Communities/USA recognition process. The second half was focused on training the firefighters on how to conduct wildland fire risk assessments on homes in the wildland/urban interface.

On Dec. 10, 2005, members of the Green Forest Fire Department gathered to clean up an old downtown building overgrown with vines and trees. After the removal of several trees located within mere feet of the building, the vines overtaking one of the building's walls and spreading to a nearby structure were removed by pole pruners. Along with removing debris from the cut vines and trees, several bags of leaves were also hauled away. (2006 Mitigation Project Photos)

On Oct. 25, 2006, the Green Forest Fire Department hosted a luncheon and presentation for a regional federal review team assessing the impact the Firewise program has had on communities in Arkansas. Tony Siciliano, Green Forest Fire Chief Chris Trask and Richard Deweese provided a presentation on the program's acomplishments in their community and outlying areas. Chris Trask stressed the benefits of firefighters completing risk assessments for each home, mentioning how their department discovered roadways they previously never knew were there. (Photo at below)

Green Forest Facts
Provided by the City of Green Forest

John Scott was the first settler to come to the area in 1828. The town was named Scott's Prairie. On Feb. 22, 1895, the town was renamed Green Forest. The population in 1900 was 469; the current population is 2,717.
In 1854, the First Baptist Church was organized, and on Nov. 16, 1855, the Post Office was established.
In 1860, Edward Harbert built the first residence, and in 1883, Green Forest had its first school.
In 1889, the Green Forest Tribune was published.
In 1901, the community had its first telephone switchboard.
In 1913, the First National Bank of Green Forest was chartered.
In January 1935, the Green Forest Public Library was established.
On June 26, 1937, the First Assembly of God Church was established.

2006 Mitigation Project