D
Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form,
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Wildiand Urban Interface Fuels / Education and
Prevention / Community Planning for Fire Protection Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Skamania County Fire District #3
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-439-3654
1
Address (Street or P. 0. Box, Cfty, State, Zip~
Schoolhouse Rd. 22 Alley Rd. Underwood, WA 98651
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Fire Chief Eric Ziegler
Organization/Judsdiction:
Skamania County Fire District #3
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-439-3654
.1
1
Project Information
Project Title:
Wildland Interface Risk Reduction
Project Start:
Project End:
May 1, 2002
October 1, 2002
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$8,000
$10,069
Are you submftting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
Conduct surveys of properties within Skamania County Fire District #3 to identify wildland fire
risks, educate residents on methods of reducing their risk, identify high risk areas within the fire
district and improve the ability to locate those areas in time during an emergency. The district is
one of twelve areas in the state at high risk of a major wildiand fire with the potential for major
property loss.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
T3N, Rl OE, multiple secs (25 sq)
Skamania
Third
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1) E] Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project (3) E] Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
(2) Xr-1 Wildiand Urban Interface Education
and Prevention (4) [] Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
.
Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Established legal boundaries of Skamania Fire District #3 includes Underwood,Mtn. & Northwestern
Lake.
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 !Eace,
12;gitch font.
Address these
0
project location
0
project income
items as
0
project implementation
0
project time frames
applicable:
9
anticipated outcomes
0
specify types of activities and equipment used
measures and reportmg
*
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
partners
0
envirommental cultural and historical resource requirements
Resi)onse:
The entire area encompassing Fire District #3 is located in the forested Cascade mountain range boarding the
Columbia River Gorge. The area is mostly under private ownership and varies in accessibility. The area has
many homes tucked away amongst the trees, some with very poor access and many with no visable addresses.
The area is subject to strong west winds in the summer. There is an urgency to inform homeowners of the
risks and what they might do to limit property damage and survive a major wildfire.
The project will allow our department to start a long term program at educating property owners in the
best ways to reduce their risk, define defensible space and change attitude that it can't happen here. The
catastrophic fire events over the past few years have heightened the need to inform the public of the risk of
wildfire and educate them on what they might do to improve their chances for survival in the event of a fire.
It's time to be proactive in reducing wildfire risk--this type of education and implemenation can make a
difference.
This area is protected with an entirely volunteer fire fighting force, with limited resources, staff, fimding,
training and already a high level of service demand. The project would require hiring two temporary seasonal
employees to carry out this project during the summer of 2002. The goal is to contact between 300-400
households over the course of the project year. There is also an opportunity to partner with the Washington
Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The primary objective of this project is public education, primarily on the means homeowners can use to
protect their property from wildfire and to prevent a housefire from spreading into the forest lands.
Secondary objectives include the opportunity for the fire district to develop a more comprehensive vision as
to the problem areas in the district. Thirdly it is hope that increased citizen interest in fire protection will
hopefully increase participation in the department. Factors relative to evacuation, resources and property
values involved will be critical in the development of an overall pre-fire plan.
The most important benefits and the ultimate objective of the project is saving lives and preventing loss of
property and resources.
Enclosure 3B (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
AWlications for fimding must include namtive responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descendin2 order of inwortame. Limit vour resnonses to the anas nrovided.
Response:
This project, the first for our fire district, will be based on similar efforts in other districts that have
proven to be very successful. We are committed to making this a long-term project and are working towards
identifying and developing resources to do so.
The major emphasis of this program is to reduce fire risk and property loss in the wildland/urban
interface area of Fire District #3, an area of approximately 25 square miles. This area has been designated, by
the State, as I of 12 areas in Washington at high risk of a major fire with potentially major property loss.
Identifying and reducing fuels around homes, more fire resistant construction, better access and address
signing will lead to better fire protection for homes and resources of the land. It also reduces chance for fire
spread to nearby state and federal lands.
This year's project goal is to survey 400 homes and make recommended improvements. We would work
to continue the program in the future for additional home surveys and monitoring of improvements that have
been made.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
A.
B.
C.
Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas or communities.
Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal lan~ or how it protects the safety
of communities.
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)?
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).
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.
How will the proposed treatments be maintained over time?
How would the proposal invrove or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms ofjobs and sustainable economic
activw. How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially year
round and seasonal jobs)?
To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities?
Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
This project hopes to create a marked improvement in the creation of defensible space around homes
located within this interface area, primarily due to the direct opportunity to educate, inform, demonstrate and
involve the homeowners in their own personal safety. Similar projects in our neighboring districts have been
met with great appreciation from property owners and have demonstrated success in the creation of safer
communities. This effort would be the first in this area and could serve as a model for additional
communities and counties.
Two local jobs will be created for approximately three months. Students have been used in other similar
programs and have been proven to be effective in conducting surveys.
Based on the estimated population in the fire district and adjacent interface areas we estimate that 5,000
people will directly and indirectly benefit from this project. It is also hoped through the public education and
outreach efforts interest in serving the community as a volunteer in the fire department will be a side benefit.
I-
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
community organizations. List the cooperators.
Resi)onse:
Guidelines developed by State and Federal agencies, including the Pacific Northwest Interagency Fire
Prevention Group will be used for the surveys. Tlle expertise of these groups in developing these necessary
guides for fire safe homes and communities is the technology we transfer to the private land and homeowner.
The success of this program in helping to prevent the spread of fire, and reduce fire loss, can have an
immense effect on the resources of our, and all other local fire jurisdictions including State and Forest
Service.
The Underwood Community Council will assist in outreach activities by providing forums to disseminate
information about the project. The program is a partnership between the Fire District and local taxpayers and
homeowners. We provide valuable resource information and they implement the program either on their own
or in cooperation with others.
A.
exists.
B.
A.
B.
C.
Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it already
Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government and
To what extent have interested people and connnunities been provided an opportunity to become informed and involved in this
proposal?
Describe the extent of local support for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
What are the environmental, social and educational benefits of the project?
i
Response:
This is a program that has been successfully implemented in other fire districts in adjacent counties.
The value of this program has been demonstrated in these areas. Our fire district needs to begin to implement
and look for ways to continue in the future. This project has been discussed at Community Council meetings.
Homeowners have been concerned for many years about the high fire danger risk and want to learn how to
reduce this risk.
Our outreach will consist of news releases and newsletters to homeowners within the District's
boundaries. Our intent is to reach not only local media but also Portland based media to inform the public
about the importance of the program and the need for homeowners to be involved in helping protect their
communities from fire. Through outreach the public will learn about the benefits of this progatn and
protection of human lives and the environment.
In-kind contributions consist of volunteer time estimated at 90 hours, for program coordination, media
contacts, homeowner contacts, and follow-up after the survey team is finished. It also consists of clerical,
benefits, travel, uniforms, printing, vehicle fuel, supplies and vehicle insurance.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Media Contacts/Public Meeting
Recruit and Hire
Training
June 2002
June 2002
June 2002
Begin Field Surveys
Progress Review/Public Meeting
June 2002
July 2002
Complete Field Surveys & Reports
Release Survey Team
Follow-up/Evaluation
Report to Community/Public Meeting/
Media Contacts
August 2002
August 2002
Fire Clerk/Underwood Council
Chief Ziegler
Fire Department/DNR/Clark
Count Fire District #3
Survey Team
Chief Ziegler/tJnderwood
Council
Survey Team
Chief Ziegler
District Personnel
Chief Ziegler/Underwood
Council
September 2002
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Ott
Personnel
600 hrs @ 10/hr
90 hrs @10/hr
Subtotal
6,000
6,000 900 --------------
-------------------------------------- ----------
Fringe Benefits
SS Medicare
6,000
900
900
-- ---------------- ------------------------ ------------------------- ---------
!~9900
119
119
Subtotal
119
-------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- --------- ilg --------Travel
Vehicle Insurance/Fuel
400
Vehicle Rental
2,000
Subtotal
2,000 400 2,400
-------------------------------------- -------- -- ------------------------------------Equipment
Subtotal
400
2,000
------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
Supplies
Uniforms
Materials/Radio Use/Printing
Subtotal
-------------------------------------------------
Contractual
Subtotal
200
450
200
450
650 650
- ------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------
-------------------------------------- -
Other
Subtotal
-------------------------------------- ------
Total Costs
Project (Program) lncomis~
8,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,069
-------------------------
10,069__
-------
' 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 rentmg
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.