Unity-Frost Prairie

Recognized Firewise Community/USA

The community of Unity-Frost Prairie earned Firewise Community/USA recognition on Oct. 19, 2006, and a recognition ceremony was held Dec. 14, 2006, in the Garden View Room of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. Accepting a plaque on behalf of the community were Dan Kersey, Judy Kersey, Nelsene Tutt, and Fred Tutt, Unity-Frost Prairie Fire Chief. Also pictured are Jody Perritt, AFC Ashley County Ranger; John Shannon, State Forester; Glen Fortenberry, Ouachita & Ozark-St. Francis National Forests; Michele Steinberg, Firewise Communities Support Manager; Don McBride, Assistant State Forester-Protection, and Joe Friend, AFC District Forester-District 1.

On June 14, 2005, Unity-Frost Prairie was one of nine fire departments in Ashley County to attend a Firewise meeting at the Crossett Experiment Station. The two-hour meeting consisted of an orientation to Arkansas FireWise and the Firewise Communities/USA recognition process, followed by risk assessment training.

On Sept. 26, 2005, the Arkansas FireWise team returned to Ashley County to organize the Unity-Frost Prairie Firewise board.

Attending the Unity-Frost Prairie Firewise board meeting were Fred Tutt, fire chief; Wade Barnett, captain; Mac New, training officer, and firefighters Fred Akin, Hank Rick, Thomas Todd, Calvin Griffis, James Rhodes, Don Greene, Darrin Cooley, Alvin Cassity, Jacob Tankersley, Nathaniel Miller, Phillip Tankersley, Earl Murphy and Dean Marcus.

Representing the Arkansas Forestry Commission were Joe Friend, District Forester; Kevin Kilcrease and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator.

On Oct. 7, 2006, the Unity-Frost Prairie held its annual Firewise day during which six firefighters bush hogged and trimmed limbs and brush on approximately 2 1/2 miles of fire lanes that were built by the Arkansas Forestry Commission in 2003. Firewise literature was also made available at the fire station for residents to pick up to learn more about reducing their risk from wildland fires. (Photos below)