The National Firewise Communities Program is calling for nominations for its third 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 other informational programs; success in involving communities; collaboration across agency jurisdictions; and special partnerships.

Winners of the 2007 awards were announced throughout November and December in their local communities. Winners were selected based on their impact at the local or statewide level. For example, Tony and Patricia Siciliano were recognized for 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 across three counties.

There are two regional, three state and three local Firewise Leadership Awards given each year. The 2008 winners will be announced in November at the bi-annual National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Education Conference in Tampa, Fla. All entries must be submitted by June 30. Information is available at firewise.org or by e-mail from firewiseawards@nfpa.org.