Meeting Summary and Outcomes
FireWise of Southwest Colorado
February 17, 2004

Present: Julie Korb, Kristie Borchers, Paul and Jackie Dzuibek, Steve and Adrian Roth, Ron Tyner, Jim Shepherdsen, Ben Cordova, Joy Mathis, Dave Abercrombie, Cheryl Wiescamp, Chas Charmichael, Leanne Vallejos, Pam Wilson, Jim Garofolo, Laurie Robison, Nicole Smith

Introductions

Minutes from last meeting were approved.

Cheryl Wiescamp – Grants Update
Cheryl presented results from grant research she has done for the FireWise Council. She distributed a spreadsheet. She recommended the first four on the list—National Forest Foundation, Colorado State Forest Service (gov’t.), Ballantine Family Fund (local), and the Bacon Family Foundation (local). Others on the list were ranked in terms of the council’s chances of receiving the grants. The council decided to focus on the top four, look at what the council is doing already and then match the funding with our ongoing projects. Cheryl will continue to be involved with Firewise and grants.

Chas Carmichael - Update
Bark beetles and wood disclaimer and council ad have been put on the 4 corners ag website. CSFS has finalized dates for the bark beetle presentations and the in-service for professionals involved in forest insect and disease prevention/control and wildfire hazard mitigation. Chas will plug the fire council at each presentation.

CSFS has received $10,000 grant for matching funds for insect/disease work. They are looking for a subdivision to volunteer as the “poster hood,” and suggested that the FireWise council apply for the money. Jim G. suggested talking to Jerry at Edgemont Ranch. Chas will provide specifics on the application process to the council. Money must be spent by September 30. Kristie, Steve, Jim, Ron and Nicole offered to help in the grant application process.

Leanne Vallegos – Red Cross Partnership
Red Cross in Grand Junction is coordinating wildfire presentations with a variety of partners. Red Cross volunteers are then available after the presentations to assess properties for mitigation. John Baer would have to come present to Firewise on program specifics. Council is interested in John’s presentation. Red Cross volunteers would become trained to do the property assessments while the council would sponsor the presentations and public education. Leanne will invite John to present at the next council meeting. Kristie expressed some concerns about actual home inspections, but that it would be very appropriate for a partnership regarding educational outreach.

Education
• April 17th “homeowners association symposium day. . . (need a name)”
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - - Exhibit Hall of the Fairgrounds
Four main topics for the day
Insurance issues from an insuring agency standpoint
Legal issues for homeowners associations
Grant seeking/funding sources for subdivisions
How to create an evacuation plan for a subdivision

State forest service could provide information on their available grants for the grant session. Bill Nobles from CSU extension has money to help with pizza.

Via e-mail – Dan Noonan has suggested adding the topic of “what to do with slash”

Council needs to create a marketing strategy, an agenda for the day, an invite or flyer. Contractors, nonprofits, and agencies will be invited to set up displays/booths. A local resident who was affected by the fires will be approached to be the keynote speaker (action item for Dave Abercrombie). Kristie will develop a “tasks” chart, email it out, and you can sign up to help.

• Themes for the Year
Kristie suggested the theme be “Perspectives of Fire” – with all education efforts focused on a specific perspective (such as from a forester, from a realtor, from a homeowner).

• KSUT has agreed to do 3 segments for fire month. Dave recommended we begin
to develop interest in the workshop next month. The idea was put forth to host something at Vallecito for the residents in that area. The Council will propose an additional three to four (in addition to the 3 already scheduled).

• Rack Card
Kristie passed around the “rack card” for comments. She asked that comments be returned to her by this Friday. They will be printed on cardstock for distribution by council members. The rack card will be distributed by all members.

• Article in La Plata Electric
An article written by Pam Wilson will be in the upcoming issue of the Empire and La Plata Electric news (Colorado Country Life). About 50,000 will be distributed throughout Montezuma and La Plata counties.

• ED Brochures
The final proofs of the 5-part brochure series are here! They are ready to go to print and then eventually distribution. We will spend $1,000/brochure and see how many that gets. Dave A. offered storage options for the brochures.

Next Meeting: March 16; 5:30-7:30