State Winners:
Randy and Jeanne Crane, Utah Living With Fire, Hi-Country Estates Wildfire Council
Matt Eberlein, Washington State Department of Natural Resources – Southeast Region
Tony and Patricia Siciliano, Arkansas Firewise/Arkansas Forestry Commission
Local Winners:
Captain Greg Barton, Beverly Hills Fire Department
Ron Garner, San Juan Island Fire Department
Flagstaff Fire Department – Fuel Management Division
State Awards:
Randy and Jeanne Crane
Utah Living With Fire, Hi-Country Estates Wildfire Council
Randy and Jeanne Crane have been instrumental in providing the leadership and creativity that facilitates collaboration and communitywide responsibility for minimizing loss of life and property to wildland fire. The Cranes staff information booths, host agency visits, provide educational services for neighboring communities, and use their own property for how-to demonstrations. By connecting agencies and other groups, the Cranes have juggled many demands, but have always been quick to respond to any opportunity to educate the public on Firewise techniques and principles.
Randy Crane thanks a local Eagle Scout for the new fire danger rating sign in his neighborhood of Hi-Country Estates.
Matt Eberlein
Washington State Department of Natural Resources – Southeast Region
For more than 28 years, Matt Eberlein, operations forester, has worked for a better understanding of the challenges that face fire-prone areas. He has led multiple efforts to provide better information to the public about risk of fire and how to reduce fuel loadings. In 2001, Eberlein pioneered an original shaded fuel break project around the city of Rosyln, Wash., which was one of the first of its kind in the country. He was also instrumental in the development of a Junior Firewise program in his area. The program incorporates Firewise principles into core subject areas to educate students, teachers, and parents on the Firewise mission.
Tony and Patricia Siciliano
Arkansas Firewise/Arkansas Forestry Commission
Tony and Patricia Siciliano have performed extensive efforts spanning three counties in providing risk assessment training, assisting with community wildfire protection plans, organizing a Firewise educational event and mitigation project, and leading the communities’ efforts to earn Firewise Communities/USA designation. David Samuel, Arkansas Firewise coordinator contributes the increased Firewise awareness among Northwest Arkansas fire departments, community leaders, and homeowners to the Sicilianos’ enthusiasm and dedication to the Firewise program.
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe presents the Firewise Leadership Award to Tony and Patricia Siciliano.
Local Awards:
Captain Greg Barton
Beverly Hills Fire Department
Greg Barton, deputy fire marshal, is credited with the implementation and enduring support of the Firewise program and mission in his area. In addition, Barton has completed and continues to expand a Firewise/Waterwise mitigation demonstration garden. This is a year-round public education display where anyone can walk through and learn how to prepare their property for a wildfire using Firewise and water-efficient landscaping. The display reveals how landscapes can be fire resistant, water efficient, and beautiful in one design.
Deputy Fire Marshal Greg Barton (pictured third from left) was presented with the National Firewise Leadership Award at a recent City Council meeting. Pictured left to right with Barton are City Manager, Rod Wood; Fire Chief, Tim Scranton; Barton; Mayor, Jimmy Delshad and Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal, Ralph Mundell.
Ron Garner
San Juan Island Fire Department
Ron Garner, Firewise specialist for the San Juan Island Fire Department, has been active in fire education since becoming a founding board member of the Alaska Place Firewise Community in 2004. He has worked to establish six Firewise Communities/USA sites on San Juan Island. Assistant Chief Brad Creesy said: “Some of the groundwork for three of these communities had been laid in 2004, but with department staff changes, were not pursued. During the first half of 2007, Ron revitalized the process and recruited additional communities.” Garner also developed coalitions to strengthen the Firewise message and allow others to teach and implement Firewise principles themselves.
Flagstaff Fire Department – Fuel Management Division
The Flagstaff Fire Department – Fuel Management Division has been proactive in educating and supporting residents to implement several Firewise Communities/USA sites in the past year. Their hard work has changed communitywide perceptions and increased community awareness tremendously. Jo Starr, program assistant for the Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership, credits the division for educating local residents not only on the risks of wildfire but also on their responsibility to create and maintain a Firewise home and property.
Questions about the Firewise Leadership Awards should be directed to firewiseawards@nfpa.org.
