Firewise Meeting                                                                                                                                 September 10, 2025

LCMC Board Room

Meeting was called to order at 10:00am by President Alec Pennington

Present were board members: Alec Pennington, Gary Nelson and Vicki Knox

Absent member(s): Paul Bogacz

Others in attendance: Chris Carr, Ray Menard

Attending via Zoom: Gregg Dahmen

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Both Gregg Dahmen and Kathy Stafford have tendered their resignations.

With a motion by Vicki and a second from Gary, the minutes of the August 13th, 2025, meeting were approved, all in favor.

Treasurer Report – Gary Nelson

The treasurer’s report had been previously published separately.  With a motion to approve by Vicki and a second by Gary, the Financial Report was approved, all in favor.

Gary further advised that due to the timing of transactions, he has made a change to the recording and reporting policy to reflect the actual date of a CD deposit transaction to the account rather thanthe month for which the interest has accrued.

Update on bank signatures – Gary and Alec will go this week to Umpqua/Columbia Bank to update signature cards and remove Dennis Wicks and Gregg Dahmen as signatories.   

Old Business

Disaster Preparedness Day Review – By all accounts it was a resounding success.  80 to 100+ attendees were reported.  All 3 speakers were well attended.  The Masons gave away free ice cream.  We had great volunteer attendance.  The church provided a great space, cookies, coffee and awesome hospitality.  MarketFresh did not show up to video.  It was suggested that Trudy Johnson may know how to prepare videos.

Notes for next Firewise event:

• Failed to have a sign-up for Firewise volunteers!
• Sold several markers, but couldn’t get traction on assessments
• Suggestion to combine Wildfire Prevention Day and Disaster Preparedness Days.  Wildfire Day is required for continued certification.
• Ray advised that the break between speakers worked well.  The ability to close the door during speaking sessions also worked well.
• Probably could not have added more cars or people at that location.
• Blockwatch leader, Lois Brisbin advised that they will participate in future events

Follow-up actions:

• Thank you notes should be sent to all participants, the Masons, speakers, the Church and any others who helped.
• Ray suggested we post some photos and comments about the event on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Assessment and Address Markers – Don’t have many assessment requests, but got several address marker requests (4 in Colony Surf).

Burn Ban banners – the final review of the new banners was completed.  Vicki moved to approve the banners and with a second by Gary, the motion passed with all in favor.

New Business

The annual reports to NFPA are coming due in November. Alec has started writing the report. We are required to submit a new Action Plan every 3 years and one is due this year. A new form is now available for this, and a copy is on LC Firewise Drive under NFPA so all can read and give input.

Alec suggested a winter time project is for us to create documentation of processes and procedures we have to do in administering LCFW.  With two new Board Members it was suggested their fresh eyes will help us spot where we need to put documentation together for this project.  All of this is to enable when we have turnover of Board members we have documentation for new members on how to do tasks and where to get the information to do them.

Vicki advised that she is interested in working on a Volunteer Drive to reach the many members of our community who don’t realize all the opportunities that are available.

Vicki moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Alec seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The next regular meeting will be on October 8, 2025, at 10:00am in the LCMC Boardroom.