Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-197
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Prevention & Education Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Okanogan Communities Development Council (OCDC)
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
L
509-997-2245
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
509-997-2273
Please Call Ahead For FAX
✔
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO Box 404 Twisp, WA 98856
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ms. Lorah Waters Project Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Okanogan Communities Development Council (OCDC)
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-997-2245
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-997-2273
Call Ahead For FAX ✔
Email:
lorah@nwi.net
Project Information
Project Title:
Methow Community Education and Feedback
Proposed Project Start Date:
03/01/2006
Proposed Project End Date:
03/01/2007
Federal Funding Request:
$
36,500
Total Project Funding:
$
54,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
OCDC is submitting two proposals for different programs-Utilization and Education. The projects are stand alone. The Utilization proposal
supports the work of OCDC specifically, and the Education proposal supports the outreach work of the Methow Local Coordinating Group
and the Okanogan County Community Fire Plan. Each proposal has been given a high prioritization in its category.
Brief Project Summary: Who, What, Where, Desired Outcomes in relation to NFP Goals and Community Risk Assessment and
Mitigation Plans (This should summarize page 2).
The Methow Community Education and Feedback Project will coordinate with the Okanogan County Community Fire Plan analysis
to ensure that issues specific to Methow Valley communities are addressed. OCDC will act as fiscal agent and grant administrator
to the Methow Local Coordinating Group [LCG]. Methow LCG will solicit community feedback that allows the LCG to develop
hazardous fuels mitigation priorities specific to the Methow Valley, develops and maintains communication with the County Steering
Committee that ensures successful completion of a Plan with adequate community ownership, and implements concerns based on
feedback from local representatives.Methow LCG will also coordinate planning and implementation of an educational strategy that
engages state, federal and local emergency services professionals with community members in speaking engagements,
workshops, and demonstration projects. The educational strategy will empower communities to create fire-wise neighborhoods.
Project Location:
Latitude: 48.0
Longitude: 120.0
County:
Okanogan
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Federal Congressional District:
4
Telephone number of Contact:
John Newcom, Methow District Ranger, Okanogan/Wenatchee NF
509-996-4000
Leahe Swayze, Methow Ranger District, Okanogan/Wenatchee NF
509-996-4063
Chuck Johnson, Grants Specialist, Washington DNR
509-684-7474
Describe project, including, but not limited to:
x type of project to be delivered
x project location
x method of delivery
x project relationship to community or natural
landscape fire plans
x target audience
x timeliness
x tools and/or skills needed to complete project
x projected timelines and cost estimation
x monitoring and evaluation procedures
For this project, explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning, through a “Local Coordination
Group.” If you haven’t worked with a local coordination group, why not?
Response:
This project will work in conjunction with the Okanogan County Community Fire Plan process by implementing targeted community involvement strategies in
the Methow Valley. Project goals are to ensure adequate feedback mechanisms from Methow community members to the County-wide planning process to
address and prioritize specific local concerns and convey community ownership in the Plan; and to implement an effective education strategy that empowers
community members and landowners to take responsibility for reducing structure ignitability in the Wildland/Urban Interface.
The target audience is the broader community of the Methow Valley, a geographically distinct area of 1,254,700 acres in Okanogan County comprising 5
communities listed as "at risk" in the 2001 Federal Register. Land development patterns in the Methow Valley have led to multiple, isolated neighborhoods and
communities spread across rugged terrain that is prone to high intensity wildfire events. A few neighborhood associations have completed fire plans since
2001, but the majority of WUI neighborhoods have not been reached by fire planning efforts, do not have evacuation plans or addressing in place, and have
not been exposed to the Firewise program or other prevention education efforts.
Project delivery will occur through two primary processes: An accessible community feedback process that connects citizens to the County planning process
through The Methow Community Fire Plan LCG [Methow LCG]; and a series of speaking engagements, workshops and demonstration projects led by trusted
emergency services personnel [e.g. smokejumpers, volunteer firefighters] that empowers landowners and other citizens to initiate defensible space and
emergency planning activities on neighborhood scales. The Methow LCG,a two year old collaborative composed of multiple agencies, local officials,
community groups, citizens and professionals committed to developing an effective Fire Plan,will be a represented participant in the County Fire Plan process.
The Methow LCG may receive some funding from the county grant to collaboratively determine, within its geographic boundaries, local level prioritization of
hazardous fuels reduction treatments, recommendation of treatment strategies, recommendations to address fuels-associated issues unique to their area, and
recommended measures for reducing structure ignitability. To ensure adequate community input to this process,Methow LCG [with OCDC acting as fiscal
agent] will hire a 0.5FTE Coordinator to develop and coordinate distribution of multiple feedback approaches, organize and analyze results, and deliver
community feedback to the Methow LCG,County Steering Committee, and agencies for review. The feedback approaches will be designed to occur several
times over the course of the one-year County Fire Plan development time frame in order to capture public opinion as the plan is developed, and to allow for
evaluation of effectiveness and subsequent strategy changes.
The Coordinator will also work with the Methow Valley Ranger District, WADNR, North Cascades Smokejumper Base, local fire districts, consultants and other
emergency services personnel to develop and deliver a schedule of compelling "Firewise"-style speaking engagements, workshops, and demonstrations that
empower landowners and other community members with the skills and education needed to plan and perform neighborhood-scale emergency response,
wildfire prevention, and defensible space creation. Many of the educational resources needed to accomplish community education have already been welldeveloped by agencies, and simply need an organized local outreach strategy to deliver them to community members. Agency and local emergency services
personnel have the required knowledge and skills combined with the respect and admiration of the community, both of which are needed to ensure Plan
credibility, community engagement and effective transfer of knowledge.
1. Prevention of Wildland Urban Interface Fire (40 points)
Describe how the proposal will lead to:
A. Reduction of wildland urban interface fire
B. Reduction of structural losses
C. Homeowner action and personal responsibility to reduce fire loss of private land.
Response:
A. Reduction of wildland urban interface fire will occur as a byproduct of coordinated planning and prioritization between entities
participating in the Methow LCG and the Okanogan County Community Fire Plan. Community education and input is also vital
component to reduction of wildland urban interface fire; community members have local knowledge that will assist in identifying and
prioritizing hazardous fuels mitigation projects, and local concerns and issues such as air quality impacts from prescribed burns that
will inform mitigation planning on public lands. Community education about prevention activities is also vital to the successful
reduction of wildland urban interface fire, and will be addressed in this project through speaking engagements, workshops,
demonstrations, and distribution of prevention materials to schools, community groups, and businesses.
B.Reduction of structural losses will be addressed in two ways. First, completion of the County Community Fire Plan will allow for
assessment of risk of structural loss at a detailed level across the county. This information will be utilized at the local level to
educate homeowners about risk level and mitigation strategies such as fire safe landscaping, creation of neighborhood fire breaks,
creation of defensible space, and development of neighborhood emergency response systems. These activities will occur through
the development of multiple, targeted workshops and demonstration projects to be held at the neighborhood/subwatershed level
and led by qualified, locally recognized emergency services personnel.
C.Homeowner action and personal responsibility to reduce fire loss of private land are central to the goals of this project, and will be
accomplished through multiple training and education opportunities offered in accessible locations and formats to ensure
homeowner attendance and comprehension. The use of "charismatic" speakers such as smokejumpers and fire fighters, combined
with video presentations,hands-on workshops and demonstration projects covering such topics as fire safe landscaping, chainsaw
safety, defensible space creation and neighborhood emergency response will maintain community interest and stress landowner
responsibility. Repeated distribution of printed educational materials and use of local media outlets will reinforce the message,
encouraging community feedback and participation.
2.
Community Participation (30 points)
Detail the community participation and collaboration for this project. Define clearly why you believe your group
will be successful in delivering the proposal to the target audience. How will the project be sustained or carried
forward beyond project timelines? How will the project be monitored and evaluated?
Response:
The Methow LCG formed in December 2003 and was composed of a core team of agency representatives and local community
groups.By working in an open and transparent process, the group was expanded to include representation from local and county
officials,fire districts, community members and professionals. A public information meeting was conducted in March 2004 to share
the concept of Community Fire Planning and was well-attended by public and media. The community groups involved cover a wide
spectrum of public interest in natural resource management, including private and public forest management, rural economic
development and salmon recovery. These committed organizations have worked hard to establish collaborative relationships and
have successfully completed other joint projects. This group's success in delivering the proposal to the target audience lies in its
diversity, history of successful collaboration, and the cooperation of agencies who will provide technical assistance and personnel to
establish credibility and community recognition. The project will be sustained beyond project timelines by ensuring that communities
are empowered to take responsibility for creating fire-wise neighborhoods, with agency and NGO technical support continuing via
the collaborative work of Methow LCG and foundation grants to NGOs. Methow LCG will monitor the project regularly by committee,
evaluate and adapt based on community feedback received directly and through participating NGOs.
3.
Partnerships (30 points)
Detail the level of involvement of any local multi-agency, emergency services, non-profit coordination group, and
provide a list of partners for this project with their current and expected level of involvement, including any kind of
contributions or matching funds. What is the project relationship to a community risk assessment or mitigation
plan? Include the name of the plan, date it was prepared, and local contact to get a copy of the plan if requested.
Response:
This project is an extension of the Okanogan County Community Fire Plan and will be closely coordinated with that project, through
participation of representatives from the Methow LCG to the County Plan Steering Committee. The Methow LCG is a multi-agency,
emergency services, non-profit coordination group formed in December 2003 to collaboratively manage the completion of a
Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the Methow Valley. The group completed a Fire Plan Summary Report in January 2004 that
establishes the known and still needed data specific to this geographic area, and convenes on a voluntary basis to prioritize projects
and strategize Plan completion. The Summary Report may be obtained by contacting the Project Coordinator listed on the first page
of this application. Partners in the project comprise all members of the Methow LCG, which includes the US Forest Service, North
Central Washington RC&D, Okanogan County Planning, Okanogan County Sheriff's Department, WA DNR, WA Dept of Fish &
Wildlife, Methow Conservancy, Okanogan Communities Development Council, NW Ecosystem Alliance, Partnership for a
Sustainable Methow, Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation, Methow Forest Owners'Cooperative, Pacific Biodiversity Institute,
Okanogan Conservation District,community members, outreach consultants and natural resource professionals. Agencies are
expected to provide significant technical support and personnel to the project: DNR will offer Firewise workshops and printed
materials;FPD's will provide personnel; Methow Ranger District and N.Cascades Smokejumpers are not eligible for match but have
committed significant time and resources to the success of this outreach effort. The NGOs in the Methow LCG will also contribute
time, resources and financial match as feasible.
Project Work Form
Tasks
1. Obtain funding, convene Methow LCG Steering
Committee
2. Recruit 0.5FTE Coordinator
3. Develop project timeline in conjunction with
County Steering
1. Develop feedback approaches, distribution
methods and timing
2. Collect existing educational materials for
distribution
1. Organize agency personnel,consultants, and
develop protocol for speaking engagements,
workshops, demonstrations
2. Schedule engagements and events
1. Activate feedback approaches, analyze results,
report and monitor for effectiveness
2. Incorporate feedback into Methow priorities,
County Plan
1. Advertise and conduct speaking engagements,
workshops, demonstration projects in multiple
locations
2. Distribute educational materials widely
1. Monitor and evaluate education strategy; adapt
as necessary for maximum participation of target
audience
1. Use community feedback in collaborative
prioritization of projects for 2007 National Fire Plan
applications
1. Prepare a final report outlining activites,next step
recommendations for ensuring success of
education strategy into the future
Time Frame
March 2006 - May 2006
April 2006 - May 2006
Responsible Party
1. OCDC staff, Methow LCG Steering
Committee
2. OCDC staff, Methow LCG Steering
3. Methow LCG Steering, Coordinator
1. Coordinator; approval of Methow LCG
Steering
2. Coordinator, in cooperation with
agencies
May 2006-July 2006
1. Coordinator, participating agencies and
organizations
2. Coordinator
June 2006-Feb 2007
1. Coordinator, Methow LCG, County
Steering
2. Methow LCG, County Steering
June 2006 - Feb 2007
1. Coordinator, agency personnel and
consultants
2. Coordinator, in cooperation with
Methow LCG participants, media
1. Coordinator, Methow LCG steering
June 2006- Feb 2007
1. Coordinator, Methow LCG, County
Steering
Dec 2006 - Feb 2007
1. Coordinator,Methow LCG steering,
OCDC staff
Feb 2007 - March 2007
Project Budget
WA DNR
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Methow LCG
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Partner 3
Personnel
Coordinator at $20 hr
Support Staff at $15 hr
Subtotal
$3,500
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$1,500
$0
$0
$0
$3,000
$14,000
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$19,000
$0
$0
$0
$12,500
$16,000
Fringe Benefits
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$3,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$0
$4,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$500
$1,000
$0
$4,500
$1,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$0
$2,500
$0
$0
$0
$2,500
$1,500
$2,500
$0
$0
$0
$4,000
$2,500
$2,500
$1,500
$0
$0
$6,500
$2,500
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$3,500
$5,000
$2,500
$1,500
$1,000
$0
$10,000
$2,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,500
$5,000
$0
$0
$2,000
$1,500
$0
$8,500
$7,500
$2,000
$1,500
$0
$11,000
administration
$3,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$3,000
rent/utilities at 25%
$2,500
$0
$0
$0
$2,500
$5,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5,500
$36,500
$10,000
$4,000
$3,500
$0
$54,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Subtotal
Travel
mileage and expenses
$0
Subtotal
$3,000
Equipment
lap top computer
other office equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
ed matls, advertising
hosted meetings
Subtotal
Contractual
consultants
workshops, demonstration
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program)
Income1
___________________________________
1
Program income is the gross revenue generated by a grant or cooperative agreement supported activity during the life of the grant. Program
income can be made by recipients from fees charged for conference or workshop attendance, from rental fees earned from renting out real
property or equipment acquired with grant or cooperative agreement funds, or from the sale of commodities or items developed under the grant
or cooperative agreement. The use of Program Income during the project period may require prior approval by the granting agency.