Local firefighting partnership wins national recognition
Local firefighting partnership wins national recognition
25 July 2007
published by www.starbanner.com
A local partnership formed to fight wildfires has won national recognition.
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF), USDA Forest Service and Advertising Council has named the Marion County Multi-Agency Wildland Task Force a recipient of the bronze Smokey Bear Award. The award was presented July 22 at the Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA) summer conference.
The Marion County Multi-Agency Wildland Task Force includes representatives from Marion County Fire-Rescue (MCFR), the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF), U.S. Forest Service, Dunnellon Fire- Rescue, Ocala Fire -Rescue and Marion County Emergency Management.
The various government bodies formed the partnership following the active 1998 wildfire season. Through it, they share operating guidelines, equipment and manpower capabilities.
Ludie Ehlers, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist for the Florida Division of Forestry Waccasassa District in Alachua County, nominated the Marion County Multi-Agency Wildland Task Force for this award in January.
