Red Oak

FireWise Boards

Lake Hamilton was named Arkansas FireWise's 100th community in conjuntion with the fire department's 50th anniversary on Oct. 4, 2008. A ceremony to honor the deparment was held during the anniversary celebration and FireWise Day. The Red Oak community, which is in Lake Hamilton's response area, was named as 101.

David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator, presented Lake Hamilton Fire Chief Matt Simpson with an award for his work and dedication to the Firewise program, which is one Simpson believes in wholeheartedly. Samuel stated that this was not only an important day for Lake Hamilton but was an important day for all the staff of Arkansas Firewise. This was not only an important day for Arkansas, but it was an important day for the Firewise Communities/USA program also. The hard work shown by Simpson in the Diamondhead, Lake Hamilton and Red Oak communities showed a great commitment to the basic fundamentals of the program. Team work and dedication, like Simpson’s and his volunteers, is the only way the program can succeed and grow.  

Another surprise for Simpson was an award to the department from the Arkansas House of Representatives presented by Representative Mike Burris recognizing the Lake Hamilton Fire Department for all it’s progress and accomplishments since its inception 50 years ago.

“I am genuinely surprised at the awards, a little disappointed in the weather, but overall we’ve had a good turnout,” Simpson said.

Despite rainy weather, LHFD also celebrated its 50th anniversary while providing several hundreds of people with information about the new program that will provide new mapping systems of the area.

Lake Hamilton worked with the Arkansas Forestry Commission and consultant Dr. Kelly Hurt to conduct a wildfire hazard assessment and develop a plan to address safety concerns. Residents then worked together to implement the plan.

“I think today was a great success. We’ve had a great turnout despite the weather and had the 100 and 101 communities recognized, and we had people from all walks of life here seeing what is available and learning about the FireWise program,” Hurt said.

“The Firewise program provides an excellent opportunity for communities to be pro-active and address wildfire issues in urban interface areas,” Don McBride, Assistant State Forester with AFC, said.

Lake Hamilton is the first to be recognized for such an honor in any state by Firewise Communities/USA, joining many other communities nationwide that have been recognized since the program’s inception in 2002. Arkansas holds roughly one-fourth of the 400 communities recognized by the national program.

For more photos of Lake Hamilton Fire Department's 50th Birthday Celebration and FireWise Day, click here.

For pictures of the Lake Hamilton community with Smokey the Bear, click here.

Red Oak was honored at Firewise on the Mountain II for their recogition as a part of the Firewise Communities/USA program on Oct. 29, 2008 at Mt. Magazine State Park.

Accepting plaques on behalf of the communities of Lake Hamilton and Red Oak are Matt Simpson, Lake Hamilton Fire Chief; and David Ratcliffe. John Shannon, State Forester; Jim Smalley, Firewise communities program manager; Dr. Kelly Hurt, FireWise consultant; Chad Noles, Garland County Ranger III; and H.E. “Jupe” Townsend, District 5 Forester are also pictured.

Matt Simpson, Lake Hamilton Fire Chief, also received an award from Arkansas FireWise for their hard work and dedication. Simpson worked hard in the Lake Hamilton and Red Oak communities with Dr. Hurt. Simpson also previously brought Diamondhead in as recognized community.