Firewise launched new video public service announcements (PSAs) this week. Check them out:

The Difference: Little things can make a big difference during a wildfire. This PSA illustrates that residents can take practical steps such as: non-combustible roofing and siding, dual-pane windows, and fire-resistant vegetation. Thank you Doug Lannon and the CAL FIRE team for working with us on this.




Everyone's Responsibility: Everyone in the community plays a role in wildfire preparedness. This PSA features residents, community leaders, planners and developers, and fire and land managers from across the country. Our thanks to the following for making it happen: CAL FIRE; Florida Division of Forestry; Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians; Sarasota County, FL; City of North Port Fire Rescue Department, FL; Ramona Fire Department, CA; Town of Bourne Fire Department, MA; Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service, MA; and the communities of Harbor Isles, FL; Rancho Santa Fe, CA; Oak Tree Ranch, CA; and Holbrook, MA.



We also have 30-second versions and versions that can be customized with local voice overs and logos. You can view all of them online in our Newsroom. We are sending these PSAs to TV stations across the country, and Firewise State and Tribal Liaisons will receive copies in the next few weeks.

We want to hear from you - Please post a comment to tell us what do you think of the PSAs.

We're going into the third year for the Firewise Leadership Awards program. It is always exciting to be able to recognize individuals and organizations for their hard work in making sure their communities are safe, and in the process, identifying new ways to achieve the Firewise mission.

Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing in detail the nominations sent in for the 2007 Firewise Leadership Awards. What I found to be a common theme was that these leaders are not just the "spark plugs" for their communities. They are true innovators.

Innovation may seem like today's latest buzz word, but when you think about the amount of work and collaboration that goes into creating a Firewise community, you know it takes the work of a creative mind! Changing community perceptions and getting people to focus on mitigation over prevention requires inventive ideas to make a tangible difference.

If you think about it, the entire Firewise Communities program began as an innovative thought. While I wasn't involved when the program began, I've heard the war stories. The concept of empowering communities with the tools and motivation to mitigate their own fire risk was unheard of. Today, it's happening all over the country. And the future of the Firewise Communities program will depend on continued creativity and passion from those who are closest to the issue: The residents, community leaders, and those working on the ground with them-from firefighters to land managers.

Going into this election year, we are facing economic uncertainty and environmental concerns, among many other domestic issues. However, there are those who know wildfires have no political barriers and recognize the importance of getting communities to pull together from the ground up to get prepared. And they're finding ways to do so, even in the face of surmounting challenges.
We want to meet these individuals, and we want to recognize their work. We are looking for 2008 Leadership Award nominees now through June 30. If you know an individual or an organization who is discovering new ways to further the Firewise mission, visit http://www.firewise.org/awards/index.htm for entry guidelines and forms. If you have any questions, drop an e-mail to the team.