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:
Yakima County
Phone:
FAX:
(509) 574-2360
(509) 574-2361
Email:
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
128 North 2nd St., Room 400, Yakima, WA 98901
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Jakki MacLean, Fire Marshal
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Yakima County Fire Protection Bureau
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 574-2378
(509) 574-2361
jakki.maclean@co.yakima.wa.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Wildfire Watch
Project Start:
Project End:
January 1, 2003
December 31, 2003
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$52,000.00
$70,900.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No.
Brief Project Description:
With the cooperation of local building and fire service professionals, USFS, DNR, Dept. of Defense,
and the Yakama Indian Nation, Yakima County adopted and continues to enforce the Urban
Wildland Interface Code. Our "Wildfire Watch" project will continue to help reduce fire risk in the
interface areas through application of the requirements of the UWIC. In addition to these
requirements for new construction, we intend to deliver and expand a number of community
education programs to promote our voluntary efforts toward wildfire mitigation. Through the
application of Firewise and FireFree programs, we also intend to promote interagency strategic fire
plans.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Unincorporated Yakima County
Yakima
4th
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:
Approx. 4300 square miles with a combination of agricultural, sagebrush, and forested areas.
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
 partners





project income
project time frames
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Response:
Yakima County encompasses an area of approximately 4300 square miles, bordered by urbanized areas,
Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Yakama Indian Reservation, Yakima Training Center Military Reservation,
U. S. Forest Service, and Dept. of Natural Resources land. We have begun to develop a "disaster resistant"
community through enforcement of the requirements of the Urban Wildland Interface Code. Working with
our Geographic Information Systems, we have been identifying hazardous risk areas and regulating
development and construction in those areas. Through application of building standards and materials and
approved defensible spaces, we are providing a higher degree of protection to both the citizens who develop
in these areas from the threat of wildfire and the wildland areas from the hazards that occur from human
habitation.
Our goal is to reduce the risk of fires occurring in the Urban Wildland Interface areas and to mitigate the
spread and severity should a fire occur. This will be accomplished through education, inspection, and
enforcement of proper home siting, construction methods, and landscaping techniques. We will further
increase the protection of people and property from wildfires through the ongoing inspection and education
for commercial facilities located adjacent to or within the wildland areas.
We believe that our program can directly impact approximately 400 structures per year through site
assessment, inspection, and investigation. It is also our goal to reach 10,000 individuals through a variety of
public awareness programs. Measurement of these goals will be provided through documentation of the
number and location of site assessments, inspections, investigations, and plan check activities as well as
program delivery. Our partnerships with business and industry, community groups, and the various agencies
bordering Yakima County will enhance our ability to protect the environmental resources of our forested
areas as well as the cultural integrity of our Native American lands.
This proposal is a continuation of efforts we began in April of 2001 with the adoption of the Urban
Wildland Interface Code. Efforts will be ongoing, but the target focus dates to accomplish the identified
goals for this funding request are January 1, 2003 through December 1, 2003.
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.
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 fuels treatment plan or 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 (a) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (b) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments be maintained over time?
Response: This
project will reduce fire risk to the community by providing properties and structures that are
ignition resistant. Ongoing public education measures will also specify the specific risks throughout the year
to help reduce the occcurrence of fires. In the long term, access roads and water supply will reduce the fire
risk to the overall community. Inspections of facilities within or adjacent to Federal lands will further
increase the protection of people and property from wildfires. Application of the requirements of the UWIC
will provide an ongoing strategy to promote fire safe development. The ordinance itself specifies a three year
review to ensure that regulations are updated as necessary and it is our intent to re-inspect on an annual basis
to ensure continued homeowner action to maintain their fire resistance.
Inititally we included fire officials, business and industry representatives, local, state and federal
governmental agencies and a variety of members from the general public to assist us in the adoption of the
UWIC. Our ongoing efforts will include outreach through wildland education at the Central Washington
Home Show, Arbor Day events, Fire Awareness Days at the Mall, a Firewise Workshop, FireFree prorgams
and publications, and a variety of nonprofit organization and special interest groups. We also hope to present
a Junior Firewise Workshop in our local schools.
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)?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response: By coordinating efforts
of multiple governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the
building industry, we will be able to deliver a more community-wide program. While this may not increase
jobs, it will help ensure the need for those currently participating in these efforts. Fire safety education will be
available through various formal presentations, publications, public service announcements, on-site
demonstrations and ongoing media programs. We are anticipating the need for one additional person,
working in concert with current staff, to implement this program. This person will coordinate efforts with
volunteer and rural fire districts and the Yakama Indian Nation in an attempt to reach citizens in hazardous
areas who do not ordinarily have access to these prevention programs.
To my knowledge there is only one other county in Washington State that has adopted an Urban Wildland
Interface Ordinance. As a member of Region 7 Life Safety Council, which encompasses three wildland
counties (Yakima, Kittitas, and Klickitat), we are able to share our programs and assist these agencies in their
wildland mitigation efforts. Through the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals, we have further
opportunity to provide a model to any jurisdiction that would request our assistance.
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 plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it
already exists.
B. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government and
community organizations. List the cooperators.
Response: Over
the past several years we have been working with representatives from the Central Washington
Homebuilders, Washington Architects Association, Sturctural Engineers of Washington, U.S. Forest Service,
Department of Defense, Yakama Indian Reservation, Department of Natural Resources, fire officials, and
private citizen groups to enact the UWIC Ordinance and promote voluntary participation in wildfire
mitigation efforts. These partners have assisted us in ongoing promotion of public education programs
through the community. We will continue to draw upon the exprertise of all of these agencies in their fields
to provide the best educational information and programs possible. We will also be providing "train the
trainer" education so that we may take advantage of the volunteer organizations who are willing to help
deliver our educational programs. We are hoping to further enhance our outreach efforts in our rural schools
and with tribal students in coordination with Yakama Nation, Forest Services, and DNR representatives.
Currently we are coordinating efforts with the DNR to join representatives from Yakima County, Kittitas
County, and the Yakama Indian Nation into a Central Cascade Co-Op for wildland protection. Through these
partnerships we intend to prepare community fire plans to identify priority fire hazards, complete hazardous
resource assessments, and develop interagency strategic fire plans.
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested people and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and involved in this
proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits of the project?
Response: Over
the past few years we have been working with local fire officials, business and industry
representatives, local, state, and federal governmental agencies and the general public to develop our UWIC
Ordinance. Many of those individuals testified in favor of this project at the public hearing. Representatives
of various groups and officials attended a Firewise Workshop which was held in Yakima. Many of these
agencies have agreed to provide staff and equipment toward the ongoing public awareness and education of
wildfire mitigation efforts. We intend to provide educational materials in both English and Sparnish to help
accommodate our diverse population. We also have a commitment from a number of nonprofit orgainzations
to support and promote the program.
Recently we have also been involved in discussions with our Office of Emergency Management and their
associated partners and volunteers to address mitigation efforts in building and fire safety issues. Our
ultimate goal is to develop a long-term plan addressing the role of each agency in the overall prevention and
management of wildand fires.
Through these partnerships, we intend to demonstrate the relationship between responsible fire safety
practices and the protection of our wildlife, our Native cultrual resources, and our natural resources.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Multi-Agency Partners, Fire
Protection Bureau Staff
Deliver Public Safety Announcements
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff
Update Informational Web Page
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff,
Technology Services
Speak at Community Events/Business
Meetings
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff, MultiAgency Partners
Record Statistics for Public Education
Program Delivery;
Evaluate Program Success
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff
Prepare Community Fire Plans, Coordinate
with Central Cascade Co-op, Develop
Interagency Strategic Fire Plans
January 1 - December 31, 2003
Fire Protection Bureau Staff, MultiAgency Partners
Identify, Inspect, Investigate, and Plan Review
Structures within Urban Wildland Interface
Areas;
Record Risk Abatement for Existing
Properties;
Distribute
Printed
Educational
Materials;
Identify Site
Specific
UWIC Properties
Conduct Media Interviews;
Deliver Public Education Programs to Current
Property Owners
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Personnel
$31,800.00
$10,400.00
Subtotal
$31,800.00
$10,400.00
Fringe Benefits
$7,800.00
$2,600.00
Subtotal
$7,800.00
$2,600.00
Travel
$1,500.00
500.00
Subtotal
$1,500.00
$500.00
Partner 1
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$42,200.00
$0.00
$0.00
$42,200.00
$0.00
$10,400.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,400.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$12,300.00
$0.00
$0.00
$12,300.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Equipment
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
Supplies
$8,900.00
$3,400.00
Subtotal
$8,900.00
$3,400.00
$0.00
$0.00
Contractual
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
Other
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
Subtotal
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
Total Costs
$52,000.00
$18,900.00
$0.00
$0.00
$70,900.00
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
$0.00
$0.00
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.