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Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter in support of the nomination of Pat Dwyer for the 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Awards. The National Wildfire Mitigation Awards recognize outstanding service in wildfire mitigation efforts to increase community wildfire risk reduction on the ground.
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Established in 2014, in response to an overwhelming number of great wildfire mitigation program efforts across the nation, the Wildfire Mitigation Awards are the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the USDA Forest Service invite nominations of candidates for the 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Awards. The National Wildfire Mitigation Awards recognize outstanding service in wildfire mitigation efforts to increase community wildfire risk reduction on the ground.
These awards are designed to recognize effective community fire adaptation efforts such as creation of local mitigation coalitions, community wildfire protection plans, community-wide assessments, defensible space, home hardening, hazardous fuels treatments, fire department engagement in wildfire risk reduction, and use of codes and ordinances by individuals and organizations. By honoring their achievements, the award sponsors seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value of wildfire mitigation efforts.
Under Pat Dwyer’s leadership the efforts of the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC) has produced numerous benefits to the residents and communities throughout El Dorado County. Through strong organizational and grant writing skills Pat Dwyer has successfully secured funding to support new and expand existing EDCFSC programs that have contributed to improve the wildfire protection, prevention and preparedness of our residents and that continue to improve the safety and preparedness of communities throughout our County. Pat Dwyer’s dedication has resulted in the establishment of programs and planning efforts that include:
• The Chipping and Green Waste Dumpster Program. Since inception, these programs have served approximately 4000 residences, removed over 700,000 cubic yards of material and cleared the equivalent of 1500 acres.
• The Senior Defensible Space Assistance Program. Provides defensible space treatment and clearing for eligible seniors who cannot physically perform or financially pay for the work.
• The Veterans Defensible Space Assistance Program. Provides defensible space treatment and clearing, with no age requirement, for veterans as well as widows and widowers of deceased veterans with limited resources and who may be physically unable to perform the work.
• The Countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. First completed in 2017 this extensive document covers the entire western slope of El Dorado County. The EDCFSC has just received funding to update and expand the Plan over the next 2 years. The completion of the Plan has resulted in successful outreach efforts to educate residents in defensible space requirements, help communities form Satellite Fire Safe Councils and develop specific Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).
These valuable services are critically important elements in our combined efforts to reduce the risk for homeowners while improving safety for our firefighters. The activities of the Fire Safe Council serve as a “force multiplier in our prevention efforts.
On February 14, 2017, (Agenda Item #22 /File #17-0148) the Board of Supervisors approved a Proclamation that formally recognized Pat Dwyer for his outstanding dedication in leading the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council in their exceptional efforts to promote the importance of wildfire education, mitigation and planning throughout the County of El Dorado and on the successful completion of the “El Dorado County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.” A copy of the Proclamation recognizing Mr. Dwyer will be included with the letter of support to further demonstrate the level of support and appreciation that Mr. Dwyer has earned from the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, our state and local agency partners, and the residents we all serve to protect.
Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter in support of the nomination of Pat Dwyer for the 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Award. The letter of support on behalf of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors will be included with the nomination packet.