In Attendance: Dave Abercrombie, Kristine Borchers, Josh Joswick (Red Cross), JT Coyne, Roland Pack, Ben Cordova, Eb Redford, Harry Bruell, Ken Marshall, Sue Marshall, Joe Griffith, Diane Griffith, Jigger Schwabe, Joy Mathis, and Nicole Smith.

In Appreciation of our volunteer Ambassadors – Fire Council hosted a barbecue. Discussion for improvement to the Ambassador program – focused on 1) What is working? 2) What could be improved? And 3) Where could the Ambassador program go in the future? (If you have further input, please feel free to send written comments to Nicole Smith at Nicole@sjma.org)
Ambassador training was excellent
It is especially helpful to bring all ambassadors together, to learn about common challenges, brainstorm solutions, all neighborhoods are so unique yet dealing with overall similar concepts. Would like to see several “get-togethers” a year.
Jigger suggested that each Ambassador recruit a potential Ambassador from a neighboring subdivision.
Request was made for all Ambassadors to get a copy of the current roster, so will know what areas/who to target for future programs. (Nicole – can you sent this out?)
Talked about a fall or February “Writing a Community Wildfire Plan” workshop for ambassadors.
One of biggest roadblocks is dealing with slash.
Suggestion was made to re-group the On-the-ground Committee of Fire Council.
Concern/challenge – how to get nonresident lot and homeowners to act.
Maybe include Ambassador updates in quarterly Fire Council news (further connect).
Maybe create a ‘promo’ piece from 2005 Ambassador report, send out to all subdivisions/assistance in recruiting (Nicole/Kristie . . . )
JT suggested some basic wildland fire behavior classes for ambassadors.
In some HOA’s – the fire committee has evolved to the land committee, which is not only fire-focused, but also noxious weeds/grasses/land stewardship . . .
Ambassadors suggested additional areas for outreach of Fire Council information – in the building permit process, welcome wagon, realtors, builders, architects, the Durango Magazine.

La Plata Electric Association’s Tree Program – Roland Pack gave a brief update about LPEA’s increased dead/dying tree removal program. Most of the dead/dying removals are out in the county, most of the tree-pruning work takes place within the city. 5,000 miles of line to maintain. LPEA has contracted crews.

Tour of Mobile Command Center – Dave Abercrombie offered tours of the Mobile Command Center (with a huge Fire Council logo on the back – yea!).

FireSmart Manuals were received as part of a La Plata Round-up Grant – manuals will be mailed to all ambassadors. For additional copies, contact Nicole at Nicole@sjma.org

Next Meeting: There will be NO AUGUST FIRE COUNCIL MEETING. We will re-group in September for a strategic direction meeting. September 20th, 2005 – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.