Alpena

Certified Firewise Community/USA

Alpena became a certified Firewise Community/USA in the summer of 2006. A recognition ceremony honoring 10 Carroll County communities was held Dec. 14 in the Clinton Presidential Library's Garden View Room.

Accepting a plaque and highway signs on behalf of the community of Alpena was Beth Randleman, Alpena Fire Chief. Presenting the award were 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. (Pictured at right)

The town of Alpena is located on Highways 62 and 412, with the majority of the city limits in Boone county and the rest in Carroll County.

Boone County was formed in April 1869 from the eastern side of Carroll County. Because Alpena straddles both counties, it's believed residents started settling in Alpena about that same time.

The Alpena Rural Fire Department protects and serves not only the town of Alpena, but also the Hugh, Denver, Carrollton and Coin, along with approximately 88 square miles of rural area.

The Alpena FireWise board was formed March 16, 2006 with Beth Randleman as board president. Other board members included Paul Morris, Assistant Chairman; Angela Harris, Larry Harris, Bobbie Bailey, Mayor; and Pat Fields.

For the community's first Firewise project, FireWise board members gathered May 26, 2006, to burn and assist in cleaning up a lot for the Alpena School District.

The property was originally classed as residential, where years later the Alpena School District purchased and used the existing structure for a facility for the Headstart program. After the Headstart program outgrew the building, the school had it demolished by a local contractor. Upon demolition of the structure, the Superintendent contacted the fire department to assist in cleaning up the overgrown lot.

The fire department utilized this control burn as a training exercise for all the members present.

Above: Residents of Alpena performed risk assessments on homes throughout their community and reviewed the results to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

In order to make their community more Firewise, volunteers removed vegetation that would be potential fuel for a wildfire. Photos before (above left), during (above) and after (right).