Giving Knowledge, Building Trust

 Old Problem

 2 year Fire Fighter Wildland response in our area Big old problem on the hill Giant fire ball Too big, too many houses Nothing is survivable Many deaths Only a matter of time, “someday” Pray “not today” Station 3, Me, and Pinedale Heights

 And to make matters worse…..

  Not Much.  From 2000 – 2010  42 property assessments – 4.2 per year  15 fuel reduction projects  0 neighborhood meetings  0 Firewise Communities  Lots of talk with no action So what were we doing?

 Lets get some results Developed my plan

 Overall demographic? Personality of the community? Independent? Community oriented? Lifestyles of today Busy, hectic, spread thin Find your bulldog and put them to work! Worked to understand my target.

Find The Approach Your Community Wants May not be the norm May not work elsewhere May take some trial and error

Started the Initiative 07/2011 Needed to get something going Incentive Motivation Grant funds Media

 Giving Knowledge Give homeowner the knowledge they need - not just information Educate, don’t dictate Neighborhood meetings HOA Meetings Qualitative approach Whole property view your Provide your knowledge SPEND THE TIME!

Collaboration, working together

 Building Trust Be honest They are trusting you with their investment! Assessment – give and take You're really a Salesman Guidance – SPEND THE TIME! Build friendships!

 Recognition

Access your representatives! Senator Thune visits the WUI in Rapid City in 2012

  City council  Problem recognition  Participant testimony  New city wildfire mitigation program for assistance  Grant assistance. Money talks.  City Urban Interface Management Plan  Wildfire mitigation  Pine Beetle outbreak control  Fire and Parks Department working together Community Wide Approach

 Still one property at a time Be patient but persistent Let the Knowledge and Trust work! 1 property = 4 more neighboring properties Visibility in the community Signs, my truck Keep the pressure in the Media

After 2 years…… 2012 WSFM Grant for hazardous fuel reduction - private landowners Since inception $61 MILLION in property value mitigated! Over 166 properties in WUI mitigated for Wildfire! Over 323 Acres in the WUI less susceptible to severe wildfire behavior! 2013 WSFM Grant for Hazardous Fuel Reduction - Skyline Dr Wilderness Area Rapid City Landowner Cost Share program for MPB - IPS Beetle and Wildfire Fuel Reduction Since inception contributed over $80,000 in wildfire fuel reduction for homeowners Helped identify and remove over 1000 MPB and IPS infested trees Wild Urban Zone Ordinance currently in the final stages of being drafted Woodridge and Chapel Valley neighborhoods became Firewise Communities Pinedale Heights and Berry Blvd neighborhood coming in 2013

 More solutions……. o Large city properties next to WUI o Lack of city staff and time o Lack of city funds o Other large private parcels o State or Federal properties bordering Rapid City WUI o Neighborhood concern o “I did my part, what about them?”

2013 BLM Wildfire Community Assistance Grant Completed 9 acre buffer zone for Kingswood Subdivision to protect private properties! Participated in Chapel Valley Firewise Day! Currently working on 10 acre buffer zone for Cedar Dr on IACB property through a cooperative MOU with Rapid City!

 Get Help! SD Division of Wildfire- Andrew Tate Educational seminars Grant funding Firewise Communities Visit other communities! Ideas and assistance. Eager to help Colorado Springs- Amy Sylvester Program ideas Lessons learned WUI Ordinance NFPA – Regional Advisor Gary Marshall Expand your program….

 I.Beliefs II.Attitudes III.Behaviors IV.Maintaining Environment on their own Roofs Hardened replacement building materials Landscape, mitigation Education Ultimate goal……Self Sustaining Starting to see results!

Pinedale Heights Today !

 That’s It! Lieutenant Tim Weaver Wildfire Mitigation Rapid City Fire Department