Union County

FireWise Boards

A meeting was held at the Hibanks Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 2, 2007, during which the Firewise Communities/USA process was explained and risk assessment training was provided by Chris Ludwig, AFC Union County Ranger. Attending the meeting were Charles Vines, fire chief; Austin Hux, fire department president; Russell Vines, fire department vice-president; Eugene White, firefighter; Richard Bates, firefighter; Rickey Vines, firefighter; Doug Lipton, firefighter; Trent Thurkill, firefighter; David Lee, firefighter; John Robertson, firefighter; Chris Ludwig, and Jimmy Williams, AFC Ranger II.

Prior to the meeting, an assessment of the community was conducted. The Hibanks community is considered at moderate risk with forested areas surrounding the entire community. The local volunteer fire department covers a very large area, with their greatest distance to respond being 15 miles. The highest risk areas may be on US Highway 82 East and around the Hillsboro Road area due to the large number of Plum Creek pine plantations.

"I look for the Hibanks community to embrace this opportunity to become Firewise. They have shown great interest in the program and I look for them to be the fifth community to become certified as Firewise in the near future," said Chris Ludwig.

Arkansas Forestry Commission personnel met with firefighters from the Smackover Volunteer Fire Department on March 30 to organize a Firewise Board and train firefighters to conduct risk assessments on wildland/urban interface homes in their fire district.

Attending were: Ronnie Thomas, Smackover VFD Chief; Ben Jones, Smackover VFD; Chris Long, Smackover VFD; Bob McDaniel, Smackover VFD; Rob Neal, Smackover VFD; Jeff Price, Smackover VFD; Chris Ludwig, AFC Ranger III-Union County; Jenimy Williams, AFC Ranger II-Union County; Don Hinston, AFC District Forester-District 4, and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator.