Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Wildland Urban Interface Fuels / Education and
Prevention / Community Planning for Fire Protection Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Harriman Rural Fire Protection District
Phone:
FAX:
541 356-2205
541 356-2340
Email:
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
25600 Rocky Point Road
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Loren Head, HRFPD Fire Chief
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Harriman Rural Fire Protection District, Rocky Point
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541 356-2260
rustm@cdsnet.net
Project Information
Project Title:
Fire Engine Upgrade Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
March, 2003
Proposed Project End Date:
March, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
$139,500.00
Total Project Funding:
$155,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
Special district personnel propose upgrading the existing 1970 fire engine, to better serve the
community, mutual aid areas, and public agencies with whom fire control coordination is critical.
Target apparatus would be a commercial wildland/rescue/structure engine, capable of negotiating
the approximately 4000 acres of adjacent public-owned wildland area, as well the 50 square-mile
official district. The existing engine lacks compatibility with other agencies’ apparatus, is out of
service frequently and for long periods of time for repairs, is inefficient in a variety of situations and
terrains, and hinders the ability of district volunteers to become proficient with more current firefighting equipment. The project includes training on operating the upgraded apparatus, as well as
public education to reduce fire threat in our heavily-timbered area, one that the Forest Service has
identified as “. . . a community at risk under the national wildland-urban interface program.”
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
Long 122 deg W, Lat 42 deg, 20’ N
County:
Congressional District:
Klamath
2
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1)
(2)
Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
Wildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Project
(3) X Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
(4)
Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Thirty miles west of Klamath Falls, 50 miles east of Medford, OR on HWY 140
Enclosure 3B (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
Address these
 project implementation
items as
 anticipated outcomes
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 interagency partners





project relationship to community or natural landscape fire plans
project time frames and income
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Response:
Project location: Rocky Point, OR and the surrounding mutual aid areas.
Project implementation: After securing the upgraded engine, the district would train volunteers, provide
education to locals about how it can aid fire safety in the community, and make the apparatus and our
personnel available to the other agencies.
Anticipated outcomes: Of greatest importance will be dependable fire & rescue protection, as well as the
ability to help control fire threat originating near our community. Other agencies will also be able to count on
mutual aid with apparatus, compatible with their own training and equipment.
Measures and reporting: Future response records will confirm success, but we’ve been unable to provide
any fire assistance to requesting agencies for the past 3 years, because of the dismal condition of the engine.
Last year’s heavy fire season left us particularly vulnerable. Not only were we unable to put an engine on
requested sites, our immediate area was without an engine for almost 6 months, while an unavailable repair
part was being custom tooled.
Interagency partners: US Forest Service, Oregon Fish & Wildlife, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Dept.
of Forestry, Nature Conservancy, and the communities of Ft. Klamath and Lake of the Woods.
Project relationship: In addition to the outside agencies’ support, the Rocky Point Community Action Team
prioritized such a project for this year: Decrease fire hazards – identify & assess fire hazards in the
neighborhood with a focus on reduction & mitigation.
Project time frames and income: Ideally, begin now, hopefully with the replacement engine in service
within a year. Income would obviously come, with our ability to fulfill mutual aid contract agreements for
service and apparatus, as well as provide service in our fee areas such as state highway, both out of the
question at the present.
Activities and equipment: Training activities will depend on the specific apparatus we end up with, as well
as how widespread we can become with community action. The equipment focus would be on the engine and
all its capabilities.
Amount or extent of activities: Because this community of 300 is situated in the very heart of public lands,
response also reaches to 3 recreational lakes, 250 Forest Service summer residences, 8 public campgrounds, 2
wilderness areas, 4 organizational camps, 3 resorts, 2 motels, 3 restaurants, 4 stores, a 30-mile stretch of the
All American Scenic Byway, several hundred acres of public and timber corporation lands, Crater Lake
National Park, and the newly-designated birding byway, all totaling some 4 million acres. ODOT and USFS
statistics from 1998 determined that our area hosted 2.3 million users annually. While only property owners
in the 50-mile district contribute tax money for support, the district still assumes responsibility for
emergencies at all these additional sites. One particular local target for information is the absentee property
owners and their attention to accumulated fire hazards. Of the 1249 total tax lots in Rocky Point, 922 are
vacant, many with years of accumulated forest debris and hazardous fuels. The district’s present equipment
would be challenged to even protect neighboring structures, should fire break out on these properties.
Other resource requirements: Environmental requirements and habitat protection certainly affect our plans.
Bald eagle nesting sites, streams, a sensitive marsh area, and increasing laws to protect threatened plants and
animals all prevent some fire protection methods from being implemented in this area. While the Forest
Service proposes a fuels management program encompassing some 3 million acres, it still must follow habitat
laws. Our community will probably always have to focus on equipping ourselves to defend against wildland
fire threat, while living in the protected natural landscape of the surroundings.
Enclosure 3B (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descending order of importance. Limit your responses to the areas provided.
1. Reducing Fire Risk. (40 points))
A. Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas or communities, or natural landscapes.
B. Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal land, or how it protects the safety
of communities.
C. To what extent does the project implement or create a cooperative (1) fuels treatment plan or (2) community fire strategy
(include evidence of the plan if it already exists)?
D. Explain to what extent the affected community or proponent has been involved or plans to involve the affected community in a
qualified fuels education program (e.g., FIREWISE).
E. Explain how the proposal (1) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (2) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments or programs be maintained in future years?
This community’s greatest risk right now is lack of equipment to defend against fire. Waiting a
minimum of 30 minutes for support apparatus to arrive could endanger a very big area. The proposed engine
would defend the residential area and be a vital defense in helping control the many small fires that annually
break out on adjacent federal lands. Forest Service representatives began last year working with our
community to help identify the best program for our mutual benefit and provide information on fuels
management. Those meetings continue, with progress toward mutual support in controlling the hazards.
Since individuals are prohibited from fuels reduction activities on public lands, it’s essential that the project
support what each entity can do. Outfitting our department with a versatile fire-fighting engine enhances
their present program of prescribed burns, pre-commercial thinning, whip felling and brush cutting on the
target 3,000 acres in the area. Their personnel are versed in the ecological requirements of the area and will
act accordingly. We should be a dependable, fast-responding, on-site resource to initiate protection against
fire threat. Maintaining a sound level of controlling hazards and providing fire protection, as well as ongoing
education, will follow coordinated efforts among the community and all involved agencies.
Response:
2. Increasing local capacity. (30 points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic
activity? How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially yearround and seasonal jobs)? How will this proposal link to toher projects (or proposed projects) to create year-round jobs?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities or natural landscapes?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Rocky Point has little opportunity to expand as an economic entity because so much of the land is
federally owned, low-lying areas don’t qualify for commercial sewage treatment systems, and very little
property is zoned commercial. However, it is a vital resort/retirement community that contributes to Klamath
County’s economy. Local resort and restaurant owners and the 50 or so people who work in seasonal resort
jobs depend on tourism. While none of last year’s fires occurred in our immediate area, the weeks of
accumulated smoke did cause cancellations and abbreviated stays in the area that seriously impacted the local
businesses. Nationwide, tourists avoided localities that suffered from fires. From a financial perspective,
new tourist business developers, as well as tax-paying potential residents, frequently ask about the level of
fire protection for two reasons: First, they want to know if immediate and competent response is available;
second, insurance rates are determined by the level of protection. It’s difficult to expand the economy even
slightly, if a major component of safe living is missing. Because much of the fuels treatment will occur on
federal lands, we have no opportunity to utilize biomass fuels. However, maintaining a clean forest floor and
offering tourists and residents a well-protected area should serve as a model for all small, rural communities.
It can be done.
Response:
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (15 Points)
A. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy or plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it
already exists.
B. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning through a “Local Coordination Group” for wildland fire
activities, or among federal, state, tribal, local government and community organizations. List the cooperators (a detailed list
of cooperators will be required for projects that are funded).
Response:
Coordination began over a year ago, among the HRFPD, the Rocky Point Community Action Team, and the
Forest Service, to address fire control strategies and fuels reduction in the area. Field trips to private and
public properties allowed an informed decision to be made on the extent of the problem. Last fall, USFS
contracted out hand piling of debris on some of the most critical areas and conducted controlled burns, which
will continue this spring. Oregon Department of Forestry also sends representatives to community events,
sharing information about developing “green space” areas and property protection in rural areas. Elements of
a plan, mutually beneficial to all agencies, emerge as we hold meetings and determine needs. Collaboration is
high, which suggests an area plan will be an ongoing project as certain dangers are removed, equipment
becomes available, and land resource uses change. While there is no formal “Local Coordination Group” in
place, communication is high among agencies and the community, with a climate that welcomes anybody
who would like to participate. Since the Forest Service has coordinated most of the fuels-reduction activity
with other agencies, they probably could provide the most complete and specific list of cooperators. The
Rocky Point community, in conjunction with the HRFPD Board, are the primarily concerned about securing
an upgraded fire engine, however the Forest Service also supports the acquisition and would be willing to
document the need to the community and surrounding areas.
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested individuals, groups, and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and
involved in this proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support or opposition for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits or concerns of the project?
In terms of fuels reduction, notices about meetings and work sessions that deal with the issue are
published in the Klamath Falls newspaper as well as in our local newsletter, which reaches about 200 people.
Regularly-scheduled Community Action Team meetings are open to the public and always include the issue
as an agenda item. A Klamath County Commissioner serves as a liaison between our CAT and the county
and is updated on a regular basis. Input comes from attendees at various sessions, individual conversations
with affected personnel, and communiqués sent to the gatherings. To date, there’s been no evidence that any
opposition to improving fire protection in the area exists.
Upgrading the fire engine is something everybody agrees need to happen. The only opposition is driven by
money concerns. This rural unincorporated community generates about $20,000 per year in tax revenues, an
amount that supports half the necessary expenditures. The balance is bridged with billable services,
community fundraisers, and donations, with little surplus at the end of the fiscal year. Support for a tax
increase is minimal in this retirement area, however our annual July BBQ fundraiser will dedicate all profits
to the fire engine upgrade. So while we provide service to a very large area, only a tiny population
contributes financially to the operation of the district. Cost-sharing and support programs become the focus
when big-ticket items become a necessity. In the 30 years of the department’s operation, citizens have
supported its solvency and appreciated the service, but expanding increased financial support receives little
support. Upgrading obsolete and undependable apparatus, complete with an expanded educational program
for the community, will improve the entire area.
Response:
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Identify fire protection needs for the
community and those included in mutual aid
agreements – Fire engine, equipment, training,
public education
November – December 2002
District Fire Chief
Outline & define projects & goals. Determine
costs and possible sources of revenue.
Determine project budget. Prepare grant
requests.
January – February 2003
Rocky Point Community Action Team
HRFPD Board
Research budget. Identify reserve fund.
Establish bid packet and specifications for
engine. Submit bid packets to engine
distributors/manufacturers Submit grant
requests
February – May 2003
HRFPD Board
Hold public education meetings on the
upcoming expected extreme fire season.
Coordinate with USFS and other agencies
about mutual support for fire management in
the area.
May – June 2003
Community Action Team
District Fire Chief
Support agencies’ fire control
personnel
Conduct wildland fire & urban interface fire
training and drills for volunteers.
May – June 2003
Fire Volunteers
Conduct annual fundraising BBQ to support
fire engine project. Receive and analyze bids.
July 2003
Rocky Point Community
HRFPD Board
Offer and conduct home & property safety
visits to recommend methods of reducing fire
hazards in the community
July – August 2003
Fire department volunteers
Choose bid. Acquire engine. Outfit and train.
August 2003 – February 2004
HRFPD Board
Fire department volunteers
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
$2,500
Subtotal
$2,500
Equipment
Fire Engine
Subtotal
Supplies
Training materials
Engine outfitting gear
Subtotal
$104,000
$7,000
$104,000
$7,000
$6,000
$35,000
$35,000
$6,000
Contractual
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
Approximately
$3500 per year
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.