Firewise is best way to be

June 12, 2007

By Amie Pappas

Frontiersman

BIG LAKE - Food, fun and fire safety were among the focuses of Saturday's community Firewise activity hosted at Horseshoe Lake by community coordinatory Cathy Kramer.

The Firewise program, which organizes groups of community volunteers to help with fire safety, fostered a festive mood to mark its first anniversary with a neighborhood picnic and safety instruction. In the Mat-Su Valley, the group works alongside the Mat-Su Borough to evaluate property safety.

Big Lake Fire Chief Bill Gamble praised the Horseshoe Lake community for doing an excellent job in its first year. There are 232 property owners in Big Lake. Total volunteer hours worked by property owners reached 1,402 for the year.

&#8220They are to be commended for all the hours they have put in to being the first Firewise community in Alaska,” Gamble said about local residents.

Gamble gave a talk with Norm McDonald of the Alaska Division of Forestry to the more than 40 neighbors who attended. Subjects included fire service crews, shelters and evacuations, safety zones and hydrant operations. The duo also emphasized a need for driveways to be accessible to emergency vehicles and that adequate signage be in place for emergency responders to find homes.

Former Alaska fire chief Joe Stam, along with Corky Matthews, gave a presentation on fire pump use followed by a fire pump training demonstration at the edge on the lake. Water was pumped directly from the lake through a hose toward a home while volunteers practiced learning how to use it.

Talks by Michiel Abe and Nancy Taylor of the borough covered Firewise risk ratings, wildfire mitigation and fire extinguishers. Extinguishers were also handed out as door prizes.

Assistant Big Lake Fire Chief Kym Savage was presented with a bouquet of flowers because she is retiring. She began fighting fires, but later moved into administrative work.

&#8220I don't go running into burning buildings anymore,” Savage said. &#8220It has been quite a ride.”

State Trooper Steve Kevan spoke about the role of the troopers in fire situations.

&#8220Often we are the first on the scene.” he said.

Darrell Korman is a board member of Firewise. His wife Carol Korman expressed satisfaction with the work done by the group over its first year.

&#8220Our property is rated really well, we're sitting pretty.” Carol Korman said.

The Kormans have lived at Horseshoe Lake for 41 years and became interested in the program because of the 1996 Millers Reach Fire. Firewise member Jack King also joined in response to the '96 fire.

&#8220A neighbor called me and said my place was gone.” King said, adding he isn't taking any chances with his rebuild.

The program ranges from big annual meetings, like this one, to small leaf-raking parties by area neighbors. It's a continuous process for the community but residents seem to be convinced of the work's importance.

&#8220It doesn't happen overnight, but were trying our best,” Carol Korman said.

Terry Hartung has lived along the lake since 1961. She said the program makes the community feel safe.

Contact Amie Pappas at 352-2284 or amie.pappas@frontiersman.com.