Firewise Ohio Callaboration Strategy
In order to better serve communities, fire departments, and individuals in Ohio, the Ohio Division of Forestry has developed a directed strategy regarding the implementation of the Firewise Ohio WUI Mitigation Program.
The following is a generalized approach; alterations of the process can and will be made to suit the needs of the specific community/area of concern.
Ultimately, representatives from the local fire department, community, governmental agencies, and advisors from the Ohio Division of Forestry, will develop the procedures of local Firewise Ohio projects.
Preliminary Assessment
An Ohio Division of Forestry Representative and a Local Fire Department Representative will conduct a preliminary wildfire hazard assessment of the community.
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The preliminary assessment is for the benefit of the ODNR Division of Forestry and the local fire department, as well as the community residents. |
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Participation in the Firewise Ohio program is voluntary. |
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Participants have no financial commitment, should they choose to work with Firewise Ohio. |
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Firewise Hazard Mitigation Grant funds are available. These grants are applied for and received by the local fire department. More information about the Firewise grants is available. |
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This is an excellent opportunity to become involved in a local public safety initiative. |
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Additional representatives (Board of Trustees members, Homeowners Group members, local governmental officials, etc.) are encouraged attend the preliminary assessment session. This assessment involves driving or walking through the community and evaluating the level of risk in terms of wildfire and wildland urban interface.
Factors noted will include
- fuel type and quantity,
- topography,
- defensible space,
- access, and
- resource availability and
- response time.
Certain areas may be photographed and data may be collected via GPS. This assessment is used as a “size-up” and allows the Division of Forestry Representative to get a feeling of the level of wildfire hazard present, and certain aspects or issues that may need to be addressed in these terms. This is basically a fact-finding mission.
Presentation of Findings
Following the preliminary assessment, the Division of Forestry Representative will prepare a report of findings. This will be presented to the local Fire Department, as well as any other representative or stakeholder interested. The report will contain a comprehensive evaluation of the community as seen in the preliminary assessment. Also included will be explanations of specific hazards and possible mitigation activities and options.
This report will provide local fire professionals with valuable information regarding particular needs and concerns within the community as related to wildland fire safety. This material can either be presented in a meeting, or in a report format to stakeholders. The report is a summarization of data and observations collected in the preliminary assessment.
Follow up
Following the presentation of findings, there are several options. If the local Fire Department and/or stakeholders deem the wildland urban interface fire hazards identified in the report to be of elevated risk and concern and would like to address them, then the Division of Forestry will continue to work with the community to aid and assist.
If the findings indicate that the area is not of significant risk or hazard, or if the stakeholders do not wish to participate in the program, then the Division of Forestry will cease to be involved with the community, in regards to the Firewise Ohio program.
This program is voluntary, as local and community support is critical to its success. The Division of Forestry is willing to work with any community that wishes to assess its level of wildfire safety, and will provide support and assistance in the organization of a local Firewise Committee, mitigation efforts, etc. |