Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA)

FRIAA FireSmart ProgramPresentation FireSmart Community Series

March 3 - 5, 2015

Background

Flat Top Wildfire Review Committee

Supplements the ESRD FireSmart Community Grant Program

Program Intent

Enhance public safety

Improve protection of forest communities, forest resources, and values associated with forested lands

Provide financial assistance to communities, organizations and groups that wish to reduce the threat of wildfire

Support community education and involvement in wildfire prevention, management and suppression issues

Support the application of the FireSmart Initiative throughout Alberta

Eligible Activities

1) Planning (e.g. FireSmart community plan: wildfire preparedness guides and wildfire mitigation strategies; resource-sharing and mutual-aid fire control agreements)

2) Vegetation/Fuel Management

3) Public Education (e.g. increased awareness regarding wildfire threat and application of FireSmart principles)

4) Inter-Agency Cooperation

5) Legislation and Planning (e.g. review provincial and municipal legislation, land-use bylaws and plans)

6) Development (e.g. new subdivision development re: roadway access; water supply and utilities placement)

7) Emergency Planning (e.g. develop or update procedures and response plans, and upgrading existing developments to FireSmart standards)

Eligible Applicants

Proposal must be made in writing and submitted by a:

1) Municipality

2) Métis Settlement

3) Registered non-profit society (community associations and organizations recognized by the Department under the FireSmart Initiative)

4) Organizations or groups mutually agreed to by the Department and FRIAA

Eligible Areas

Projects both inside and outside of Alberta’s Forest Protection Area (FPA)

Projects located on lands under federal ownership or jurisdiction do not qualify for funding under this program.

Additional Details

Planning Projects

Must follow the process outlined in the FireSmart Guidebook for Community Protection (2013)

Vegetation/Fuel Management

Completed and approved fuels management prescription is required

Should be tied to an approved wildfire mitigation strategy

Fuel management prescriptions must be completed by a qualified individual and must be approved by the Department

Previously Approved Projects

Call for Proposals –

November 2013, March 2014, November 2014

Approximately $7.4 million in grants approved for:

• 10 Planning Projects

• 22 Vegetation/Fuel Management Projects

• 6 Education Projects

Examples of Approved Projects

Civic Centre Road FireSmart (Town of Hinton); Project category – Vegetation/Fuel Management.

Reduce wildfire risk by completing fuel modification (thinning, pruning and debris disposal) of 7.9 h of Forested area within the Town of Hinton - completed

FireSmart Planning Project, (Town of Edson); Project category – Planning.

Revise and update the Wildfire Preparedness Guide and Wildfire Mitigation Strategy for the Town of Edson so that they include a larger planning area that includes a 10 km radius into Yellowhead County – nearing completion.

FireSmart Education Program, (Strathcona County); Project category –Public Education

Completed hazard and risk assessments in targeted communities; FireSmart information sessions; FireSmart Community Champion Workshops and community chipping events – partially complete

.

Town of Hinton Fuel Mitigation

.

Elements of Successful Proposals

Deliverables clearly described

Deliverables clearly linked to overall FireSmart objectives

Detailed work plan (activities by phase, timelines, staff or contractors involved, etc.)

Description of project management; who provides expertise for project oversight and reporting

Adequate budget detail to: Provide some rationale of market value

Provide reasonable assurance of feasibility

Issues with Unfunded Proposals

Proposed deliverables are vague

Proposed deliverables are ineligible (e.g. capital investments)

Fail to recognize and address key requirements (e,g. need for detailed prescriptions or linkage to existing strategies)

Insufficient detail to provide support amount of funding requested

Project management not adequately addressed or adequately resourced (e.g. assumption ESRD will supervise the project)

Working with Potential Recipients

New program – 36 projects approved is an indication of early success

But, success rate of applicants is not as high as we would like

How do we work more effectively with potential applicants?

Questions?

Contact Information

For more information contact Byron Grundberg

Telephone (780) 429-5871

Email Byron.Grundberg@mnp.ca BByronyron.Grundberg@mnp.ca

Learn more about FRIAA on our website www.friaa.ab.ca