How To Become an Arkansas FireWise Community
Determine if the community is at risk
Becoming recognized as a Firewise Community/USA begins with the community itself. A community representative can either complete an online form on the Firewise Communities/USA web site, www.firewise.org, or contact the Arkansas FireWise Coordinator at (501) 296-1872.
At an agreed-upon time, the FireWise Coordinator schedules a site visit with the community representatives and local fire officials to assess risk to the community from wildland fires, and to discuss the Firewise Community/USA recognition process.
Organize a Firewise Board
If it is determined the community has homes in the wildland/urban interface that are considered at risk, community representatives will create a multidiscipline Firewise board. This board can include homeowners, fire professionals and/or members of other interest groups. Board members should be informed that developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan often takes as long as six months.
Conduct Home Risk Assessments
At the organizational meeting of the Firewise board, a date is scheduled for the FireWise Coordinator to meet with fire department personnel for training in completing the Arkansas Wildland Fire Risk and Hazard Severity Assessment Form for homes in the wildland/urban interface.
Develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
Upon completion of the individual home assessments, the Firewise board uses them as a basis for developing a Firewise plan that contains agreed-upon, area-specific solutions to wildfire issues.
All members of the board must concur with the final decision, and their recommendations are presented to, and approved by, the FireWise Coordinator. The coordinator may at that time work with the community to seek project implementation funds, if necessary. Local solutions are implemented following a schedule designed by the local Firewise board.
Sponsor an Event
The CWPP prepared by the Firewise board contains specific action items to be implemented by homeowners with assistance from fire staff or other sources. When these plans are executed, they are called "Firewise Days." Firewise Days can include chipping days, public awareness events, pine needle/leaf cleanups, etc. (See Sample Firewise Activities) A Firewise Day must be held each year in order to maintain recognition status.
Invest a Minimum of $2/Per Resident
Firewise Communities must be willing to invest $2/per captia (per resident) in Firewise projects each year. This means that in a community of residents, $400 will be invested in projects named in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan prepared by the board. Volunteer hours, use of equipment and time spent by agency fire staff can be included in this figure, as can State or Federal grant dollars.
To view the current value of each volunteer hour, visit www.independentsector.org.
Recognition as a Firewise Community/USA
Firewise Communities/USA recognition status is achieved when the FireWise Coordinator approves the community's CWPP, and a Firewise project has been completed. At that time, a board member can download the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition application form from the National Firewise web site, www.firewise.org/usa.
Upon certification by the Arkansas State Forester or the FireWise Coordinator, the application will be forwarded to the National Firewise Communities office. A recognition ceremony is then held either in the community, or at another designated location with all participating agencies and organizations represented.
Continued Recognition
Once Firewise Communities/USA Recognition is earned, a permanent Firewise board is created that will maintain the program into the future. A mitigation project (reduction of risk to homes) must be completed during the calendar year for recertification, and a recognition renewal application must be completed no later than December 31 each year. Renewal applications can be downloaded from www.firewise.org or a copy can be mailed to you by calling the Arkansas FireWise office at (501) 603-3545.
Recognized communities must submit documentation indicating continued community participation to the FireWise Coordinator. |
