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Three Carefree neighborhoods earn Firewise USA recognition; fire officials outline homeowner steps
Summary
Rural Metro and state forestry officials described the Firewise USA program and recognized Carefree Foothills, Carefree Mountain Estates and Doublegate for meeting Firewise requirements; officials urged neighbors to organize boards, complete assessments and log volunteer work to gain certification and possible grant or insurance benefits.
Rural Metro battalion chief BJ Pullman and representatives from the state Department of Forestry and Fire Management spoke to the Carefree Town Council Nov. 4 about the Firewise USA community risk-reduction program and recognized three local homeowners associations for achieving certification.
Pullman, who introduced himself as a battalion chief at the Carefree Fire Station, described Firewise as a community-led program developed by the National Fire Protection Association that focuses on reducing risk to homes. "Firewise is all about the home," he said, adding the program is educational and voluntary rather than a government enforcement action.
He and state staff explained the recognition process: neighbors form a board (a minimum of eight homes for non‑HOA areas), receive a community risk assessment, approve a community action plan, log volunteer hours and meet annual maintenance requirements. Certified communities may be eligible for government grants and some insurance discounts, though officials cautioned eligibility varies by insurer.
The council formally acknowledged Carefree Foothills, Carefree Mountain Estates and Doublegate for completing the steps Pullman described. Pullman offered to meet with other neighborhoods interested in forming boards and pursuing recognition; he said staff would leave contact information for residents.
The presentation stressed that Firewise does not require clear-cutting or "moonscaping," and that participation is voluntary for individual homeowners within a recognized community. Officials and council members described outreach efforts, including firewise information at the farmers market and neighborhood cleanups.
The recognition was a ceremonial acknowledgement; no council action was required.
