Living on the Edge Training: Forrest City

April 8, 2004

The Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) sponsored this Living on the Edge training in cooperation with Interactive Training Media (ITM), which has created intereactive CDs for Fire-Wise training in Arkansas. The sessions were held at the Forrest City Civic Center in Forrest City on April 8, 2004.

This was the third of four Living on the Edge training sessions. The first was in Little Rock on Jan. 15, 2004, and the second was in Ozark on Feb. 17, 2004. The final session was held in Fayetteville on May 20, 2004. These sessions are used to train the trainers, who will then go out and train "civilians."

David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator, introduced the program, and Bob Zielinske, AFC District 3 Forester, hosted the event. Jim Gilpin of ITM ran the computer which showed the interactive CD-Rom to the attendees. Jeff Bielling, whose primary job is with the Florida Department of Community Affairs, gave the participants valuable information. After the introductions and opening, the group split up into breakout sessions, and then came together to discuss their findings. The lively discussion that followed was a valuable learning experience for all.

ITM representatives (above) Jim Gilpin, chief executive officer; Dr. Robert Raze, workshop administrator, and Jeff Brielling, facilitator, look over the registration lists. David Samuel (left), Arkansas FireWise Coordinator, introduced the program.

Bob Zielinske, (left) AFC District 3 Forester, hosted the event and was also the spokesman for his breakout group.