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: Pend Oreille Conservation District
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 447-4217
(509) 447-0371
charlotte@pocd.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO Box 280
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Darcy Kern, Firewise Education Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Pend Oreille County Washington
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 447-4217
(509) 447-0371
darcy@pocd.org
Project Information
Project Title:
Northeast Washington WildFire Reduction Team
Proposed Project Start Date:
January 1, 2004
Proposed Project End Date:
December 31, 2005
Federal Funding Request:
25,000
Total Project Funding:
33,760
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize: yes. Dry Hydrants in the Lake in the Woods, and other
identified locations prioritized in the county’s fire plan, K-12 fire prevention education
Brief Project Description:
This proposal incorporates Dry Hydrant development into the community fire plan and fire prevention
education for the purpose of strengthening fire protection efforts in Pend Oreille (Pond-eray) County. The
project will reduce devastating fires in the Wildland/urban interface by strategically installing dry hydrants in
vulnerable areas within Pend Oreille County. The intent will be to provide access to adequate water supplies
in the Wildland Urban Interface. The entire County’s Fire Districts have pledged their support with
equipment and time towards this proposal. The landowners and the environment will benefit by the reduced
response time which will lessen the effects of wildland fire on the community and the natural resources. The
project has community partnerships with the schools, state foresters, and the volunteer fire fighters by
incorporating K-12 fire education into the county's education plan. Educational activities are directed
towards the importance of good access and visible road signs, fuels reduction around family homes with
defensible fire plans and identifying emergency personnel in the community. Links to local information will
be incorporated into the Pend Oreille Conservation District Web Site.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Pend Oreille County
Pend Oreille County
5
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)
(4)
Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
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:
Pend Oreille (Pond-eray) County is a rural county situated in northeastern Washington containing 90%
forestland. Historically, when wildfires occurred they were contained mostly to the public lands or large
industrial forest lands and fire suppression was initiated to minimize damage to these lands. Much of the
harvested private land in this forgotten part of eastern Washington was subject to the forest practice rules of
the past, the mature Ponderosa Pine and Western Larch stands were hygraded and diameter cuts were
common practice. This led to subdividing and rural development as land converted into residential uses. The
unmanaged land is typically void of any large trees and open to noxious weeds and Pend Oreille Conservation
District (POCD) has responded by working with small acreage landowners to implement best management
practices on their property. Unfortunately, most landowners find landscaping 5- 10 acres for fire prevention is
overwhelming and replacement stands of Lodgepole Pine now dominate much of the landscape in thick
unproductive acreages increasing fire risk in the wildland/urban interface. By completing the installation of
strategically placed dry hydrants new sources of fire protection can be incorporated into Pend Oreille County
Fire District's rural fire protection plan. A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipe permanently installed in
existing lakes, ponds or streams that provides a means of suction supply of water to a tank truck. The “Dry
Hydrant Fire Fighting Concept” includes not only the strategic location of the hydrant itself, but also the
equipment and trained personnel to use it efficiently. All three of these components are essential for an
effective dry hydrant system. The design for a dry hydrant was of high priority to the conservation district and
the Natural Resource Conservation Service has completed the standard engineered design. The Conservation
District, Fire District #3 and the County completed three installations in 2002 which are functioning perfectly.
This project includes the installation of at least three more dry hydrants. The Natural Resource Conservation
Service has already completed an engineered design this winter for the highest priority location at Lake in the
Woods located near the border of Idaho and Washington. Other locations have been identified and ranked by
the local fire districts. Each hydrant was ranked according to its location to the wildland/urban interface and
the water source. Within this project an element of education will assist the goals of fire prevention needed
for upcoming fire seasons by incorporating firewise management techniques into the northeast area
Envirothon event for high school students. The district will sponsor a week long event during Fire Prevention
Week with all the county fire districts, state and federal forest managers, WSU and others. Development of
these activities and events will be included into the Conservation District's annual and long range plan.
Previous firewise activities have been incorporated into the district's 6th grade conservation days, Pend Oreille
Waterfestival and Natural Resource Day which have been very effective in providing students with hands-on
activities while learning about fire behavior as a tool as well as learning its dangers. The five days of Fire
Prevention Week will bring together five agencies and 1000 Pend Oreille County students from pre-school to
sixth grade together for intensive fire prevention instruction. Smokey Bear will lead students on a stroll
through a mock defensible space adjacent to an unsafe landscape. Visual aids to encourage discussion about
the importance of firewising one's property will be used before they stop at the entrance to the "Edith House"
(which exhibits exit drills in the home) Fireman outfitted in personal protection equipment (PPE) will explain
the importance of recognizing emergency personnel during hazardous conditions while other firemen
demonstrate the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" technique. Introducing fire safety/fire behavior to students will
provide educational opportunities for students to share what they have learned with their parents by providing
a copy of a firewise discussion paper for homework. Follow-up visits to the schools by the Conservation and
Fire Districts to test the student's knowledge will reinforce the message.
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?
Response The dry hydrants will be used by Volunteer Fire Districts and state/federal fire personnel. The need
is great due to the lack of access to open water in the proposed hydrant locations. Pend Oreille Conservation
District (POCD) has identified dry hydrant development and forest protection as a high priority in their
annual plan for the past two years. Three dry hydrants were installed previously in the southwest part of the
county towards the city of Spokane. The concept is not new and many fire departments have successfully
used dry hydrants for a number of years, but their use has not been widespread until recently. The installation,
maintenance and physical aspect of the dry hydrant project will include the volunteer Fire Districts, POCD
volunteers, PO County, staff will be supervised by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The county is
committed to maintenance and operation.
The proposal will also help facilitate a workshop to train fire volunteers on proper operation and maintenance
of the fire truck unit and the dry hydrants. The District will partner with WSU to incorporate training
provided at the Fire Wise Workshops and by Fire Safe Spokane to educate the local community about
creating defensible areas around their home-sites and cabins. The POCD has a web site and sends out a
summer newsletter to over 1000 landowners and has staff and local contacts to implement the education
portion of the proposal.
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?
Pend Oreille County is the 1st county in Washington to incorporate dry hydrants in their community
fire plan. Since last year the conservation district has had numerous phone calls from other communities
interested in dry hydrants. We serve as a model in structuring our fire fighting capabilities to minimize the
effects of a wildfire knowing that it’s not a matter of if a wildland fire will happen but when. The status of the
forests in Pend Oreille County is ripe for wildfire and typical western fire behavior is expected but can be
unpredictable. Protecting homes and communities are a priority while using fire as a natural tool is the fire
fighting strategy of the future. By the time fire fighting season arrives in Pend Oreille County, the fire
fighting resources are long gone to other parts of the western states already on fire. It is this situation which
leads the fire districts and emergency personnel to develop plans that rely on fire behavior to save lives and
property. This project will include house and road signs for those who cannot afford them and areas with poor
access will be identified for future action.
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: Pend
Oreille County is home to many natural resource professionals both working and retired.
POCD works closely with local Fire District volunteers, staff at the Newport USFS, WA Dept. of Natural
Resources, WSU/Cooperative Extension, Kalispel Tribe, and the NRCS Newport Field Office on a variety of
issues, projects and plans. POCD is the lead entity for Watershed Planning under HB 2514 and for Bull Trout
Recovery under HB2496. There are many issues surrounding a community Fire Protection Plan like water
quality and water quantity, natural resources, air quality, soil erosion and wildlife. POCD is part of the overall
coordination team in northeast Washington and has coordinated this proposal so as not to duplicate efforts.
POCD has commitment from the community partners, the natural resource agencies and other volunteers
supporting this project. (we have letters of support from all of the fire districts, City of Newport, School
Superintendents and Principals, and PO County and the Natural Resource Conservation Service has agreed to
provide the engineered dry hydrant designs for the remaining locations)
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?
Response: When
the Conservation District first researched dry hydrants we had to work with the WA Dept. of
Fish and Wildlife to develop fish screens and with the WA Dept. of Ecology to obtain a special exception for
water rights. These concerns were addressed and dry hydrants are approved. All of the county’s fire district’s
and the county are excited about this project, we have had no objections to this proposal. Both the County and
the local fire districts will contribute significant amounts of inkind to the project and are in full support. The
schools are excited about the idea of a coordinated event like Fire Prevention Week in October as they can
plan other activities around it like biology and water cycle education currently taught when the students return
to school in the fall. If the children are excited then they will share their enthusiasm with their parents. The
activities planned at the Fire Prevention Week can be somewhat frightening to young children but with a twist
of fun thrown in the impact on young minds will be positive. Many of the volunteer firefighters are extremely
good with children and are passionate about fire safety and educating the youth about the dangers of wildfire.
The POCD Firewise Education Coordinator is deeply committed to the POCD Firewise Program and has the
ability to bring all the stakeholders together to complete the project. Property identification signs will provide
emergency personnel and fire districts a better chance to evacuate should a wildfire occur.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Prepare and submit permits for dry
hydrants
January 2004-2005
POCD, Fire Districts
Collect site and survey information
with the Natural Resource
Conservation Service
Immediately
POCD, NRCS
Identify driveways and homes that are
in need of signage. Provide
information to landowners. Develop a
list of landowners to prioritize.
Install dry hydrants
March 2004-2005
POCD, local fire districts
July-August 2004-2005
POCD, County, local fire
districts
Provide information in POCD
newsletter, website and at the County
Fair
August 2004-2005
POCD, NRCS, DNR, WSU
Begin planning with partners for the
Fire Prevention Week
Sept. 2004-2005
POCD, USFS, DNR & local
fire districts
Sponsor and hold a county-wide Fire
October 2004- 2005
Prevention Week in both the south and
central part of the county
POCD and other participating
agencies attending planning
sessions
Rank landowners needing driveway
signs and install
July – Oct 2004, 2005
Local Fire Districts
Incorporate fire behavior education in
the county Envirothon and lobby to
include it in the State Envirothon
May 2004, 2005
POCD, USFS, NRCS, WSU
Prepare Final Report
December 2005
POCD
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Coordinator/POCD Staff
Volunteers
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
Applicant
POCD
9,700
9,700
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
POCD In-Kind
Fire Districts
PO County
1,200
1,200
5,000
5,000
2,000
2,000
9,700
8,200
17,900
250
250
150
150
800
400
1,200
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Coordinator/POCD Staff
Volunteers
Subtotal
800
800
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Dry Hydrants
Signs, newsletter, website
Subtotal
Contractual
Sign installation
Subtotal
10,000
4,000
14,000
160
160
10,000
4,160
14,160
500
500
500
500
25,000
33,760
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
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.