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 on-line form on the Firewise Communities/USA web site, www.firewise.org/usa or contact David Samuel, Arkansas Firewise Coordinator, at 501-296-1872 or e-mail david.samuel@arkansas.gov.
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 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 multi-discipline Firewise board that 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 Forestry Commission Wildland Fire Risk Assessment forms for homes in the wildland/urban Interface.
Develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
Upon completion of the individual home assessments, the Firewise board will use them as a basis for developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that contains agreed-upon, area-specific solutions to its wildfire issues. All members of the Firewise board must concur with the final decisions. 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 Community Wildfire Protection Plan prepared by the Firewise Board contains specific action items that can be implemented by homeowners with assistance from fire staff or other sources. When they are executed, they are called “Firewise Days.” A Firewise Day must be held each year in order to maintain recognition status. Firewise Days can include chipping days, public awareness events, pine needle/leaf cleanups and so forth.
Invest a minimum of $2/capita
Firewise Communities are able to quantify their concern about the wildfire issue. To this end, they are willing to invest $2/capita in Firewise projects each year. This means that in a community of 200 residents, $400 will be invested in projects named in the plan prepared by the Firewise 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.
Certification as a Firewise Community/USA
Firewise Communities/USA recognition status is achieved when the Firewise Coordinator approves the community’s completed CWPP, and after the community has completed one Firewise project. At that time, a Board member can download the Firewise Communities/USA application form from the program’s web site, www.firewise.org/usa. Upon certification by the Arkansas State Forester, the Firewise Coordinator forwards the completed application to the national Firewise program office. A special ceremony will be held either in the community or at the State Capitol after certification as a Firewise Community/USA with all agencies and organizations involved in the process.
A permanent Firewise board is created that will maintain the program into the future. A mitigation project (reduction of risks to homes) must be completed during the year for recertification. Recognition renewal must be completed by December 31 each year. Recognized communities submit documentation indicating continued community participation to the Firewise Coordinator. Renewal forms are downloadable at www.firewise.org/usa.
Status of Arkansas Firewise Communities
The current status of Firewise Communities and Boards in Arkansas is available on this Web site under Firewise Communities.