Present: Marsha Porter Norton, Dan Ochocki, Kristine Borchers, Nicole Smith, Laurie Robison, Ben Cordova, Pam Wilson, Dave Abercrombie.

April Fire Month Wrap-Up:
Wilderness Society presentation went well; good to get different perspectives on wildland fire management. (Anyone who has contacts/ideas/suggestions of additional professional development opportunities for similar public programs . . . let us know, we want to portray many angles, offer an opportunity to present.)
Ambassador activities for fire month were excellent—Nicole handed out a written report on these. Durango Hill’s ambassadors are having problems motivating people in their subdivision. The council thought that since these particular ambassadors are so motivated but running into roadblocks, perhaps they could help out with some other aspect/outreach project of Council.

Grants Update:
BLM Grant Request – Fire Council did not receive funding, priority was made to on-the-ground projects rather than education, received more requests than could fund this year.
Homeland Security Grant update – did not receive funding; however there are some local contacts for future funding through Homeland Security that Fire Council may pursue.
Round-Up Grant (LPEA) – RECEIVED - With this grant council purchased the Fire Smart manuals to be distributed to council members and ambassadors. Fire Council will send a thank you note to LPEA and to the Herald, and at the July meeting present LPEA with some kind of certificate/framed letter etc.
Colorado State Forest presentation series – compiling paperwork, will send out by 7/1/05.

Update on May 17th Proposed Land Use Code Meeting:
Several Council members attended the section on driveway standards. Everyone that was in this session was for the proposed guidelines. Dave A. commented that he was hoping to get feedback on obstacles that might prevent the guidelines from going through. Council agreed that this was a positive reflection on Council. Council thought it would be beneficial to send out another letter of support for the guidelines.

Local designation / recognition program:
Outcomes of smaller group meeting: Does fire council want to pursue the idea of a local recognition program? No! Instead we will urge subdivisions to pursue the national FireWise designation program. It is possible to help subdivisions develop a good “plan” which could encourage stringent requirements, but get away from Council developing a recognition program or be in a monitoring/on-the-ground evaluation mode.

Visit to Falls Creek:
Byard Peak invited Fire Council to visit the Falls Creek Ranch. Kristie and Dan O. went to Falls Creek and met with the HOA/ambassadors who have been involved in a variety of subdivision-wide fire mitigation projects, as well as have taken a survey to see how homeowners were doing as far as defensible space. There is value and importance in listening to people and viewing sites, a good opportunity for further relationship building and awareness. Council will write a letter thanking them for the opportunity to visit and validating prevention work they have done, encouraging additional work.

Strategic Plan
Council thinks we need to work on a ‘strategic plan’ for at least 3 years out. The decision was made to do this during the August meeting. Marsha will facilitate and make it fun!! Our August meeting will be 2 hours long to allow for this to take place (5:30pm to 7:30pm). This will help in keeping on track, seeking funds, and evaluating success later.

How to Write a Subdivision (Small Community) Wildfire Protection Plan Workshop
The suggestion was made to do more ‘continuing education’ for ambassadors especially how to write a subdivision fire plan. During our July meeting we will see if this is something ambassadors are interested in. Timing: preferably after October (is that related to any short-timer attitudes, Dan Ochocki?)

The July 19th meeting will be sort of an “Ambassador Appreciation” where ambassadors will be invited to a potluck/bbq at LPEA. Council will provide the food and we will invite other key players to join in. DFRA’s mobile command center will be there and we will do a visioning process with the ambassadors that Marsha will facilitate. Please take a moment to invite anyone you think might be interested in joining Fire Council or re-energize past members. Who is inviting new Red Cross E.D.?

“Are you FireWise” idea from Harry will be discussed as part of our August meeting when we discuss a strategic plan for council.

Does Fire Council need 501(c)3 status?
This concern was brought up by Joy Mathis at a small-group April meeting, to be discussed at a regular Fire Council meeting. The concern came up about liability and SJMA’s role in that for council. Nicole will talk with Susan to see what are the parameters of liability for council and for SJMA and make sure SJMA is comfortable with being the fiscal agent for council, and whether or not this incurs any liability for them. Concensus was that all projects are education-based, all members are covered by other insurance, any public event (such as a Home Depot booth) would fall under their sponsored activities, and if an event spot required additional insurance, it would be requested. The idea of creating our own 501c3 will be revisited on a yearly basis to make sure we are covered if we move into additional realms; however if SJMA is comfortable with the present status, no change will be made at this time.

Marsha is working on the updating Community Wildfire Plan. We will see it in draft.

Fire Council needs propaganda!! (didn’t Nicole say regalia?) Stickers, hats, etc. . . But, with this need also comes the need for funding. . .any takers or should I say givers????

Next Meeting: July 19, 2005 – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Bring a dish to share (sign-up through Nicole so we don’t have 25 salads . . . ), Council will provide BBQ, Ambassadors/New Partners guests of Council, opportunity to check out Mobile Command Unit (Dave A. – confirm availability)