Fire education corps educates homeowners

In the midst of a fire season, sagebrush and other dry conditions threaten Northern Nevada homes.

The Fire Education Corps, a branch of the Student Conservation Association, patrols areas, attempting to lessen fire dangers and teach residents to become fire conscious. The Student Conservation Association is the largest conservation service in the country.

Five college-aged men and women from around the country are selected for this volunteer task force. All are certified Type 2 wildland firefighters and have been trained to recognize possible dangers to homes.

They have been surveying and evaluating properties in the Virginia City Highlands and Mound House and leave information at about 30 to 40 homes a day, said Fire Corps team leader Melissa Jones.

"I watch the news and see all the fires and the people losing their homes," Jones said. "A lot of times that can't be helped. But, I think the homeowner has the obligation to see that their home is at as little a risk as they can and we can help them do that."

Once a homeowner agrees to an evaluation, two or three team members spend at least an hour with the homeowner, suggesting changes that will aid in fire prevention. First, the team looks at the surrounding roads to the home to examine fire engine access and if residents have multiple exit routes.

"The best driveways are the ones where a fire engine can turn around in the driveway and drive all the way around the house," said team member Carlena Blake.

Next, the team reviews the vegetation around the structure. They recommend that a homeowner create 30 feet of defensible space, a space clear of heavy or dry vegetation, storage or building materials, surrounding the house in each direction.

In addition, the team carefully questions each homeowner about the occupants of the household, pets and livestock, vehicles, family medical problems that would render them unable to evacuate, and the location of water, power and gas lines. All information is complied and given to local fire departments.

Phil McKenna, with the Virginia City Highlands Fire Department, said the corps evaluations create a residential preplan that allows firefighters to maintain a computerized description of each structure when they respond to fires.

"This is the third year we have had the help of the corps," said McKenna, who assists with part of their training each year. "We had some of the data complied last year but now it will be up to date and thorough."

Each member of the corps works more than 40 hours a week and receives a small stipend to cover basic living expenses. Members also attend homeowners association meetings, conduct fuel reduction projects, help the elderly who are concerned about the fire safety of their homes and dress as Smokey the Bear to dispense fire safety information.

"This is a service and we don't get anything back and that is rewarding in of itself," said team member Jena Lund, geography major at Minnesota State University. "We give people hope that their house can be protected."

Some advise from Fire Education Corps:

- Make sure your home has 30 feet of defensible space.

- Use fire resistant materials, especially on your roof.

- Regularly remove pine needles, other leaf litter and branches from your roof and gutters.

- Keep firewood 100 feet from the house.

- Construct outbuildings and additional structures far from the home.

- Keep the porch boxed in so that embers cannot collect beneath the house.

To get a free evaluation for your home contact the Fire Education Corps at 885-6015.