Taylor holds Firewise Community meeting

Taylor holds Firewise Community meeting

COURTESY OF BAKER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT STATION 40 

POSTED 10/08/2008 - The Baker County community of Taylor has participated in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan program since 2006 hosting several CWPP meetings, to draft the plan and to organize upcoming events. Taylor has also hosted two community education events and a community yard sale designed to share Firewise information. The Taylor Firewise

Baker County Fire Chief Richard Dolan adddresses Taylor citizens at the Firewise Community meeting.

Community Meeting was the final step in the community's efforts to gain recognition as a Firewise Communities/USA community for 2008.

The meeting began at 7:00 PM with a welcome and introduction by Baker County Fire Chief Richard Dolan. Mitigation specialist Annaleasa Winter provided a brief overview of the Taylor CWPP already in place. The Division of Forestry, county fire department and Forest Service each explained what steps they have taken to implement the Taylor CWPP including fire line installation, prescribed burning, firefighter training, and community education.

Participants watched some video clips from the DOF's Living on the Edge in Florida DVD detailing the Lakewood Firewise community program now in their sixth year of successful renewals.

Captain Nancy Oliver described the Taylor Firewise education program and wildfire awareness events that have happened up to date. Lastly, Fire Management Team FAS Jamie Rittenhouse explained the wildfire mitigation program in Florida and offered mitigation agreements to the participants.

The major objectives of this meeting were to increase community awareness of the Firewise Program and boost community participation with the ongoing Firewise efforts. A Firewise board was established in July of 2008 with Baker County Station 40 Captain Nancy Oliver as chairperson. Other board members included the county Fire Chief, Forestry FAS, Mitigation Specialist, Mitigation FAS, and Forest Service forester. Community participation was limited to volunteer firefighters living in Taylor. As a result of this meeting however, Firewise Board membership now includes eight additional community residents not affiliated with the fire department. The original board now feels that current representation can adequately bring and maintain the Firewise program in the community.

Overall participants were very enthusiastic about both the Taylor CWPP and the Firewise program. Due to an extensive wildfire history in the area and the vast amount of federal, state and private land surrounding Taylor, community residents are very interested in help to create defensible space around their homes. Residents also are looking forward to the first Taylor Firewise Communities clean-up day, which will be held in the spring of 2009 where a variety of fuel reduction resources that will be available to the community.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM followed by 20 minutes of open discussion between firefighters and residents. Refreshments were provided thanks to Florida's Forestry Arson Alert Association.