David Yegge of Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District Announced State Winner of Firewise Leadership Award

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March 29, 2011

The 2010 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise Leadership Awards have just been announced and David Yegge, Fire Fuels Program Supervisor for the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District, has been selected as a state winner for his numerous efforts in the area of wildfire mitigation.

In just five years under Yegge's supervision, 25,000 dead trees have been removed; landowners have gained no-cost professional advice in the thinning of trees and shrubs on private land; and a wood shake/shingle replacement program was instituted, utilizing grant funding to offset costs to property owners.  Also listed in Yegge's accomplishments is his collaboration with local and county government agencies to implement Firewise principles as well as securing of grant funding for the elderly, disabled and low income communities to address defensible space on private land. Yegge developed an aggressive media campaign to promote defensible space in Big Bear Valley, utilizing public service announcements, media advertising, and a local resource website, www.thinisin.org.  He also made numerous presentations to community groups to get the word out on the measures citizens can take to lower community wildfire hazard risk.

The NFPA Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from the risk of wildfire.  The program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the US Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters.  To learn more about the Firewise Communities program and 2010 NFPA Firewise Awards, visit www.firewise.org. 



Author:Big Bear Lake Fire Protection Dist.Press Release