Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
160
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization: Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue
Phone: 360-578-5218
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
G
FAX: 360-578-5220
Email: dave.lafave@ci.longview.wa.us
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
F. Intermunicipal
G. Special District
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
M. Other (Specify) _______________________
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip): 701 Vine St., Kelso, Washington 98626
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title): Chief Dave LaFave
Organization/Jurisdiction: Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue
Phone: 360-578-5218
FAX: 360-578-5220
Email: dave.lafave@ci.longview.wa.us
Project Information
Project Title: Reducing hazardous fuels in and around improved properties.
Proposed Project Start Date: May 1, 2005
Proposed Project End Date: October 31, 2005
Federal Funding Request: $67,528
Total Project Cost: $ 110,656
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please prioritize, and explain if the projects are stand alone, sequential or other:
No
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).
This program, Wildland Urban Interface fuel reduction, is a continuation of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue’s partnership
of the last four years with Department of Natural Resources. It is anticipated that the funding from this grant will
enhance this areas ability to prevent the possibility of an urban interface fire as was experienced a few years ago in the
Ball Park Drive area and most recently at the Mt. Solo fire. A follow up program will be established along with a
checklist, to ensure that property owners are in compliance with the defensible space plan that they signed. In
summary, this proposal involves three elements: (1) hazardous fuels reduction, (2) information and education targeting
wildfire prevention and risk mitigation and (3) homeowner and community involvement. Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue
desires to continue with projects of this sort to provide safety to life and property. Also, the funding from this grant will
help alleviate an already stressed budget.
Project Location:
County:
Federal Congressional District:
Mt Pleasant and Carrolls Bluff area
Cowlitz
18th and 19th
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Telephone number of Contact:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (Wade Alonzo)
(360) 609-4174
Enclosure 3A (Page 1 of 3) - Project Narrative Description
Applications for funding must include a narrative response that describes the proposal. Please do not submit responses longer than one page,
single space, 12-pitch font.
Describe project including, but not limited to:
 project location (e.g., Watershed,
Address
neighboring community)
these items
as applicable:  anticipated outcomes

project relationship to the community risk assessment and
mitigation plan
 amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc.)
 community partners and their
 project timeline and matching or contributed funds
role(s)
 proponent’s ability to complete project
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?
The project will be in the rural area just east of I-5 in Cowlitz County, specifically in the Mt. Pleasant
/Carrolls Bluff area. The outcome is to reduce the threat of wildfires in this southwest aspect urban interface
area through education, homeowner participation and direct action by Cowlitz 2 seasonal wildland
firefighters. As in the past, we will be coordinating our efforts with the Washington State Department of
Natural Resources in conjunction with the Southwest Washington Coordinating Group. The identified area
has a repeated history of wildfires, which have threatened many homes and is listed as an area that has high
probability of having significant fires in the future due to slope, aspect and fuel types. Since the last fire, new
homes have been built and more are planned to be built in the area that was directly involved and the
structures that were threatened in the past have additional fuels in close proximity. It is anticipated that
approximately one hundred and fifty homes in this area will directly benefit from this program or be at
significant risk if this program is not available. Currently we are working with DNR on a like project, which
will continue through the summer of 2004. Our desire is to start this phase of our continuing fuel reduction
and modification efforts on May 1, 2005 and continue through the summer and early fall until approximately
October 1, 2005. If the project has not been completed at that time we will continue as soon as possible the
next spring. History shows that Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue has completed all our fuel reducing projects with
DNR in a timely manner and with positive results. Our Fire District has the experience, equipment and
personnel to successfully complete projects of this nature; however, due to budget restraints we will be unable
to accomplish our urban interface fire prevention goals without the assistance of grant programs such as this.
Enclosure 3A (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following three criteria. Be sure you address every one
briefly, yet thoroughly. Limit your responses to the area provided.
1. Reducing Hazardous Fuels (50 points)
A. Describe the community infrastructure that will be protected.
B. Explain how the proposal reduces fire behavior in high hazard areas by describing the fuels to be disposed or
removed, and the techniques and timing of the treatments.
C. How will the proposed treatments be maintained in future years?
D. How will you use multi-party monitoring to improve this and future projects?
Response:
Community infrastructure in the immediate area consists of two natural gas interstate transmission pipelines,
a liquid petroleum pipeline, Bonneville electric power transmission lines, numerous homes, an elementary
school, a cemetery, and a community store.
The procedure to reduce the fire behavior will consist of educating the residents and then in partnership with
them effectively removing and thinning light flashy fuels and vegetation, which will improve the defensible
space around homes and structures and help to prevent the spread and reduce the severity of a wildfire. This
process will consist of writing a fuel modification plan for each participating residence and outlining with the
homeowner the work that they are expected to accomplish and the work that the Firewise crews will perform.
The Firewise crews will be monitoring the work performed by the homeowner and performing the follow up
work identified in the plan. All material from the fuel modification work will be properly removed from the
identified defensible space area.
Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue will partner with the homeowners who will be asked to accomplish as much of the
fuel modification work around their homes as possible and who will also be educated on correct procedures to
maintain the area surrounding their homes. Cowlitz 2 intends to periodically return to treated areas and
survey the maintenance of the fuel modification work in an effort to encourage property owners to continue to
use Firewise methods.
We have collaborated with DNR, the Southwest Coordinating Group, Southwest Washington Fire Prevention
Council, homeowners, Forest Service and Cowlitz County Building and Planning for continued assessment of
the area to enhance future projects and maintain fuel modification efforts. Through this interaction, Cowlitz 2
Fire & Rescue has progressively improved the awareness, effectiveness and cost efficiency of the Firewise
efforts in our community.
Enclosure 3A (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
2.
Increasing Local Capacity (25 points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and
sustainable economic activity?
B. How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long? (Please distinguish between
essentially year-round and seasonal jobs).
C. What tools and skills will be gained or utilized as a result of this project?
D. Will biomass be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
Cowlitz County is number one in the state for the number of unemployed people. We believe that our efforts
to prevent or reduce the severity of wildfires help to make our community more livable and more attractive to
new businesses. Our firewise project seasonally employs at least six people and is in conjunction with the
tradition of training and continuing education that Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue is known for. In addition, this
project enhances our local wildland fire fighting abilities by making trained, equipped wildland firefighters
available for immediate response throughout the region in partnership with the Department of Natural
Resources. This immediately available response capability has been instrumental in containing numerous
small wildfires that had the potential to become catastrophic as well as helping to subdue more major fires
such as the Mt. Solo incident, which occurred in our area in 2002.
3.
Demonstrating Community and Intergovernmental Collaboration (25 Points)
A. How will this project implement a community risk assessment and mitigation plan? Include name of plan, date
it was prepared, and local contact to get a copy of the plan if requested.
B. How has this treatment been coordinated with adjacent landowners and local/State/Tribal/Federal agencies?
C. Identify the cooperators/partners involved in implementation of this project.
D. Describe the extent of current local support for the project, including any cost-sharing agreements.
Response:
A specific countywide wildland/urban interface suppression and operations plan has been implemented in our
county in 1996 and the DNR and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue have identified areas that are at significant risk and
are specifically susceptible to wildfire events. Cowlitz 2 has worked with individual homeowners and whole
neighborhoods in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources to develop defensible space and
encourage Firewise practices. While Cowlitz 2 and the DNR have been the spearhead in our area there are a
number of entities and agencies that support and endorse our project including the Southwest Washington
Coordinating Group, Southwest Washington Fire Prevention Council, Cowlitz County Department of
Building and Planning, IAFF Local 3828, Cowlitz County Fire Chiefs Association and the Cowlitz County
Fire Officials Association. At this point the costs of the project, over and above the funds provided by the
grant, are shared by both the Department of Natural Resources and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
Enclosure 3A - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Firewise crew recruitment and
selection process.
April 1- 30
Captain Greg Kelly C2F&R
Marketing and education volunteer
team training.
May 1- 7
Alan Headley C2F&R
Wade Alonzo DNR
Firewise crew training
May 1-15
Captain Greg Kelly
Major marketing and education
campaign
May 15- October 1
All team members including
Firewise crews and Firewise
volunteers.
Firewise crew marketing and plan
writing
May 15 – September 15
Firewise crews
Homeowner fuel modification work.
On going
Homeowners
Firewise crew fuel modification work
May 15 – October 31
Firewise crews under
supervision of Captain Kelly.
Evaluation of Project
On Going
All team members.
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Personnel
Partner 1
Partner 2
DNR
Wages
Subtotal
64,528
5,928
64,528
5,928
Fringe Benefits
3,000
Subtotal
3,000
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
30,000
Subtotal
30,000
Supplies
Subtotal
2,200
5,000
2,200
5,000
$38,128
$5,000
Contractual
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$67,528
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
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.
Total