The National Firewise Communities Program is launching its second annual awards program to recognize outstanding efforts to promote a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives, property, and resources in the wildland/urban interface.

The Firewise Leadership Awards are open to individuals and organizations conducting wildland fire mitigation activities in residential developments in the wildland/urban interface. Eligible Firewise efforts may include, but are not limited to:

• Innovations in engineering;
• Program communications, advertising, exhibits and/or other informational programs;
• Success in involving communities;
• Collaboration across agency jurisdictions; and
• Special partnerships.

The Firewise Leadership Awards provide recognition to the drivers of the Firewise movement, whether they are individuals or groups of departments, and encourage other innovative initiatives that promote the Firewise mission.

For example, Jim Harrell of the Florida Division of Forestry was presented with a regional award at the 2006 Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Education Conference conference for being instrumental in promoting the Firewise concept throughout the state of Florida. He said he was humbled just to be nominated by his colleagues.

The Firewise Leadership Awards program will help program administrators to capture success stories and share best practices across the country, between all types of interests: public, private and tribal.

The Firewise Leadership Awards may include up to:

• Two regional awards for impact in more than one state.
• Three state-level awards for relevance to a majority of a state as measured by land or population.
• Three local awards for city, county or regional impact within a single state.

All entries must be submitted by June 30, 2007. Visit www.firewise.org/awards for entry guidelines and forms.