Eureka Springs

Certified Firewise Community/USA

Eureka Springs became a certified Firewise Community/USA during a luncheon presentation Sept. 8, 2005, at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. Presenting the award were Jim Smalley, wildland fire protection manager of the National Fire Protection Association; Deputy State Forester Larry Nance (left) and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise coordinator.

Eureka Springs began the Firewise program in November 2004 by assessing community risk, organizing a FireWise board and developing a plan for wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Community leaders who initiated the Firewise project in Eureka Springs include Darrell Bohannon, Cathy and James Fetty, Jim Kelley, Justin Fuson, Donna Ross, Julie and Don Alberson and Joe Head.

Left: Deputy State Forestery Larry Nance presents Mayor Kathleen Harrison and Fire Chief David Stoppel with a Firewise highway marker during the September 2005 ceremony at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs.

Left: Jim Smalley of Quincy, Mass., (left) poses with Mayor Kathleen Harrison, Assistant Fire Chief Jim Kelley and Fire Chief David Stoppel after presenting the trio with Eureka Springs Firewise plaque. Above:The Eureka Springs Fire Department displays the Arkansas FireWise Communities banner.

Left: On Oct. 25, 2006, the Eureka Springs Fire Department presented their community's accomplishments to a Regional Federal Review Team touring Arkansas FireWise Communities throughout the state. Jim Kelley shared how the department was able to make public properties within the city limits Firewise with the use of "309s" provided by the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.