Firewise Forum - Talking about Firewise

Protecting Our Treasures

We all have treasures. Some are older and more valuable than others. For some it may be that baseball card of your favorite player that is roughed up on the edges because it was in the spokes of an old bicycle. Or a stuffed animal that could collect social security if it were real. A wedding album full of one and only photos- (before digital!). Point is, we all have something that we cherish- something we cannot replace.

Think about your own treasure for a moment. What would you do without it? Are you doing everything you can to keep it safe?

This ties in to something I thought about during the wildfires that took place in Greece last month. Among the coverage of the tragic wildfires, it was reported that the fires had moved dangerously close to a number of ancient treasures in Greece such as the ruined temples of Zeus and the stadium that hosted the Olympic games in 776 B.C. Not only were homes in the path of the wildfire, but 3000 year old statues as well. If you think about it, we would not be able to replace these ancient treasures the same way we would not be able to replace an old baseball card. While one may be more important on a cultural scale, on a personal level the impact is the same.

Some may call me crazy for comparing the ancient ruins of Greece to a stuffed animal or baseball card. But ask anyone who has lost a home to fire and the first reaction is not always about the home itself- but the treasures inside. The reality sets in that it is the wedding albums, stuffed animals, baseball cards, etc. that we cannot rebuild or replace.

So, how do we prevent our treasures from being damaged? By making your home Firewise.

Fact is, wildfires need fuel to burn. If you live in the WUI, and you clear out those fuels by thinning or creating defensible space, your home- and the treasures inside- stand a much better chance of surviving.

And what better time than now to do some Firewise work around your home? September is National Preparedness Month and the Department of Homeland Security and American Red Cross are working with local, state, and federal officials to promote readiness for emergencies including wildfires.

Implementing Firewise is easy. A few simple steps around your home and community will go a long way toward protecting your homes and your treasures. After all, what is more important than that?

posted by Tony Zagora at 9/17/2007 05:37:00 PM 0 comments

"Start - er - KEEP Spreading the News"

Great news! Literally. The Firewise message is coming across in the news media more than ever. Rather than exclusively reporting Just The Stats, Ma'am (#acres; #structures; #trucks, and tankers), reporters are increasingly discussing how to live naturally with fire. Stories are moving from one-line mentions of firewise.org to full-blown articles about the importance of wildfire mitigation-and what residents can and should be doing on their own property. We're also seeing a slew of announcements of workshops and local community activities.

We're working hard from the national end, but we also recognize that we owe the majority of this shift to the continued media outreach by our Firewise Communities/USA liaisons and residents, state and federal agency public information and prevention officers, and members of the fire service.

Go ahead - search Google News for "Firewise" of "wildfire mitigation." It's really amazing what's out there. Then visit the Firewise Newsroom for ideas on how you can help generate even more.

While not a replacement for face-to-face outreach, news media have the microphone to reach more people than we possibly could in person. Keep it up, folks. Help us tell the Firewise story. And help exponentially more people be Firewise.

(Editor's note: There are plenty more great articles we would like to have shared here. We're limited in what we can link to - many articles expire within weeks or require online subscriptions.)

Resolute in Principle for 2007 - A New Years Firewise Blog by Jim Smalley

"Another year over, a new one just begun," as John Lennon wrote. Yep, it's now time to face the realities of, you know, the Resolution. Not just ANY resolution, THE Resolution. The one we quickly make as the clock approaches end of the last minute of the last day in the year and as often quickly abandon for the realities of daily life.

New Year's Resolutions seem like the vows I used to make for Lent. You know, I will give up chocolate; I will cut down on coffee; give up Cheetos (what?!). However, giving up something seldom made me feel better or act differently in the long term. Then, I realized that, hey, this short termed commitment can soon be abandoned, and I will once again pop open that bag of yellow, crispy, fat-saturated cheese flavored junk food.

Several individuals and organizations continue to look for solutions for the many problems that contribute to the WUI. To some, Firewise hasn't been successful in solving all the issues of the interface and therefore, a new solution should be developed. Searching for long-term solutions with short-term results illustrates a gross misunderstanding about cultural change and how change occurs as well as a, well, warped sense of commitment. It would be wiser, more productive and, frankly, show greater integrity to commit to the solution(s) we have that show promise of success rather than abandoning them for something new to satisfy organizational or personal needs.

So this year, I'll share my one Firewise Resolution with you. I resolve to remain as bull headedly committed as always in the basic principles of Firewise (personal responsibility, cooperation, and the rest). So there. Gee, I feel better already.

By Jim Smalley, Manager
Firewise Communities

Fire Wise Guys

We all know about the "Three Stooges." Larry, Curly, and Moe were the most familiar and popular wise guys who berated one another with their slapstick comedy for nearly 40 years. But you should all know about three other "wise guys" who are using a bit of "Three Stooges" humor in their own message to promote fire safety in New Mexico.

Meet Larry, Roger, and Billy D, better known as the Fire Wise Guys of Colfax County, New Mexico. Their message is simple: "Fire is no laughing matter. But learning fire safety can be fun for the whole community!" The Fire Wise Guys discuss the many ways that residents can go about preparing for wildfires through a series of weekly radio tips. These tips offer residents useful information on the little things that can be done in and around the home to prevent wildfires.

Reiterating a few of the points made in a recent blog entry on "Creative Communication," the work being done in Colfax County is a perfect example of the many ways that the Firewise message can be communicated to the public. It's easy to become complacent with the same tactics that you have been using for years, especially if the tactics work. But too often the message needs to be reworked in order for the public to listen.

For those of you interested in learning more about the work being done in Colfax County, they will be presenting at the 2006 Backyards and Beyond Conference in Denver. In addition, part of their story was recently featured in an article in the National Organization of Counties (NACo) publication, County News.

(Just a reminder: early bird registration for the Backyards and Beyond Conference ends on Wednesday, October 18! Please visit http://www.firewise.org/fw_youcanuse/conference06/registration.htm to register today. )

By Tony Zagora

Appreciating the Firewise Spark Plugs

Chances are you know that person. That person who seems to have boundless passion for the Firewise movement. That person who engages nearly everyone she meets in discussion about how neighbors can be working together better to coordinate their wildfire planning efforts. That person who doesn't stop at the boundaries of his own community - when neighboring towns seek guidance, he's there to help. That person who goes beyond the scope of her job description to foster the spirit of the Firewise vision.

Chances are you know a Firewise Spark Plug.

The Firewise Communities team would like your help in recognizing our spark plugs through the new Firewise Leadership Awards program. Submit a nomination and help us identify and reward outstanding efforts to promote a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives and resources in the wildland/urban interface - public, private, and tribal.

The Firewise Leadership Awards are open to individuals and organizations conducting wildland fire mitigation activities in residential developments in the wildland/urban interface. The Firewise Leadership Awards will be awarded on the regional, state, and local levels. Sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Working Team, the program also seeks to encourage other innovative initiatives that deliver on the Firewise mission of community-wide responsibility in wildfire mitigation.

The deadline is approaching fast! All entries must be submitted by July 31, 2006. Visit www.firewise.org/awards for entry guidelines and forms. E-mail questions to firewiseawards@nfpa.org.

posted by Amy Schneider at 6/05/2006 12:59:00 PM