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Williamson County adopts Community Wildfire Protection Plan to boost mitigation funding
Summary
The board unanimously adopted the Williamson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan after an 18-month planning effort led by emergency management; officials said adopting the plan will make grant applications for equipment, training and prescribed burns more competitive.
The Williamson County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan designed to identify wildfire risk and make the county more competitive for mitigation grants.
Brian Burgess, director of emergency management, told the board the plan was produced over about 18 months with local fire departments, county road crews and federal partners including the U.S. Forest Service and the refuge service. "Once the plan is written, then I was to address you to adopt this by resolution," Burgess said, explaining that adoption signals county awareness of mitigation strategies and improves grant application scoring.
Burgess said mitigation priorities include adding equipment and personnel, expanded training for prescribed burns and offering prescribed-burn assistance to homeowners under grant programs. He warned the plan does not bind the county to undertake specific mitigation steps but provides a framework for pursuing grant dollars.
Commissioner (S3) moved to adopt Resolution 26-01-13-08, and the board approved the measure by roll call. Officials said they will ask municipalities and fire chiefs to adopt the plan locally to strengthen grant packages.
Next steps: Emergency management will coordinate outreach to local municipalities and assist departments in applying for wildfire mitigation funding.
