Firewise Meeting July 9, 2025
LCMC Board Room
Meeting was called to order at 10:00am by President Alec Pennington
Present were board members: Alec Pennington, Gary Nelson, Kathy Stafford and Gregg Dahman.
Community members attending: Sandy Stafford, Wilkey, Rusty Milam, Rich Kallal, Paul Bogacz, and via Zoom – Angelina Renes, Kim Graziano, Clara Arroyo, Carolyn Van Dyke, Steve Jones.
Special guests attending: LCMC Board Treasurer Vicki Knox, LCMC Board Director Ray Menard, Donna O’Leary (joining us as representative from DPD partner, St. Germain Church), and Chris and Cynde Carr (Chris is a former Disaster Preparedness Manager for the city of Los Angeles).
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With a motion by Gary and a second from Alec, the minutes of the June 11th, 2025, meeting were approved, all in favor.
Treasurer Report – Gary Nelson.
Treasurer’s Report had been previously published separately. With a motion to approve by Alec and a 2nd by Kathy the Financial Report was approved, all in favor.
Update on renewing CDs – Gary reports two CDs were closed out at Heritage Bank and the funds were moved to OURCU, opening on 6 month and one 9 CD there. The remaining CD at Heritage Bank will reach end of term in July and will then be moved to OURCU and placed in a 12 month CD. Once these funds are moved, Gary will close out the Share Savings account at Heritage Bank and deposit the funds in the Share Savings account at OURCU.
Old Business
Assessment Training – We have two assessment requests and one Address marker request pending. Gary will schedule with Paul to do the assessment and train Paul in the process.
Bank Signature Updates – Still need to update signature cards with the banks. Gary will contact Umpqua to find out what documentation we need to provide to update the cards.
Burn Ban banners – Gary and Ray will coordinate on getting artwork from Ray to be used to design the new Burn Ban Banners.
Disaster Preparedness Day (DPD) – Alec indicated attempts to contact PUD3 and MGH were not successful. Alec will try again. Kathy had previously indicated she gave Alec’s contact info to the people at Fresh Market for them to contact him about their support for the day but they had not reached out. Alec does not have contact info for them. Kathy indicated she calls the main store number and asks for Molly or Jesse. Alec will reach out.
Alec was successful at reaching Chris Carr and he was present at the meeting. Chris plans to focus his talk and actions for after the first 72 hours of an event occurrence. Chris would also like to contact the other speakers to discuss their topics to make sure not all covering the same information. Alec will work to facilitate this.
Donna O’Leary indicated she would like to have a meeting between all those who have volunteered to promote the event, Donna, Paul Bogacz, and Fresh Market, so they can coordinate what each is doing and not duplicate efforts. Vicki Knox indicated she would reach out to all and coordinate this meeting.
Alec will contact CERT people to confirm attendees and speaker. Topic to be bugout bags and actions to take in the first 72 hours.
We need to send out regular email blasts via LCMC about the event to promote it and encourage people to attend. Vickie to work on the first blast.
Due to the ongoing fire in Bear Gulch, many people attended the meeting in person and via Zoom. Much discussion was had regarding evacuation procedures and actions residents need to take and who is responsible. Much of the discussion revolved around plans made prior to Covid that appeared to have been made with no follow through occurring. Questions about getting a temporary powered sign to warn people Staircase was closed and who was responsible for obtaining. Much of this general discussion regarded issues that Firewise is not responsible for, has no authority to implement and lacks the resources to follow through on.
New Business
Paul Bogacz and Vicki Knox indicate their willingness to serve on the LCFW Board.
Motion to appoint Paul to board – Alec, 2nd Kathy, 100% in favor
Motion to appoint Vicki to board – Gary, 2nd Kathy, 100% in favor.
Motion to adjourn Gary 1st, Kathy 2nd; 100% in favor.
Next regular meeting will be on August 13, 2025, at 10:00am in the LCMC Boardroom.