Rapid City Veteran Training and Wildfire Mitigation

Representative Noem visits Veteran Fuel Mitigation Program!

New Crew Member! Project Updates!

The Rapid City Survivable Space Initiative and the Bureau of Land Management team up to train Veterans.

Monthly Newsletter

September 2014

U.S. Representative Kristi Noem visits with the veterans in the program.

Congresswoman Noem visits Veteran Fuels Program!

South Dakota Representative Kristi Noem visited the veteran wildfire fuel mitigation program recently and got to talk with some of the veterans in the program and see the work being done to help protect Meade County residents and Rapid City neighborhoods from wildfire. This is the first time Congresswoman Noem has visited the area to view progress through our wildfire mitigation programs. The RCFD and Meade County have been working with elected representatives to explain the critical importance of programs like these and to ensure continued funding.

Kristi gets some one on one time with John's daughter Livia, who stole the show!

Kingswood area in blue crosshatch with new work area on the right.

Progress in new area in Kingswood

The area in the photo with the blue crosshatch at the bottom left is the original 10 acre fuel mitigation project in Kingswood. Work has begun in the new area to the right, a 13 acre fuel mitigation project to help protect egress for the subdivision. Progress from the south end of the project is being met with enthusiasm from the neighborhood. The area in purple is a mitigation project with Northwest Engineering Company done in conjunction with our Survivable Space Initiative and our Bureau of Land Management Veteran fuels crew. Great cooperation for a common goal!

The IACB project area Phase 2

Yellow crosshatch area is phase 2.

This projects phase 2 area will create a total 15 Acre zone of modified vegetation next to the Cedar Dr. neighborhood. The yellow cross hatch area in the picture represents this expanded area. These residents all completed fuel reduction projects of their own and asked what could be done. The resulting wildfire fuel thinning project nearing completion has made their community much less prone to destruction from wildfire. This collaboration between the property owners (Indian Arts and Crafts Board), the Bureau of Land Management, and Rapid City is a great testament of what can be accomplished in communities where landscapes that have been void of the natural process of fire have overgrown to levels of catastrophic wildfire potential.

The IACB project was left with a natural environment that would be present if normal fire intervals were occurring without suppression efforts

Without funding from programs like the Bureau of Land Management Wildfire Community Assistance program, the massive amount of work to remove this hazardous fuel would prove extremely difficult. What a enormous safety benefit to both residents and firefighters in our community!

Progress next to a resident. Looks great!

Jim and Taylor remove hazardous brush

Veteran Crew helps with Firewise Day!

Jim and Taylor assist homeowners in the Chapel Valley subdivision with their Firewise Day in Rapid City. Part of the Survivable Space Initiative, the veteran crew assists neighborhoods with fuel reduction events. Shirley Frederick, who lives in the subdivision, commented that this program "Helps bring veterans back into the community doing work for people who really appreciate what they do."

Grinding cedars from Shirley Fredericks yard

Veteran Crew Helps Pinedale Heights with Fire Mitigation!

Last summer the Crew helped out in parts of the Pinedale Heights neighborhood with brush clearing on properties bordering the main egress routes. These parcels were severly overgrown, and in their current state would have contributed to severe fire behavior along the main exit routes from the neighborhood. The Veteran crew was able to drastically minimize the amount of heavy fuel loading on these parcels. The Pinedale Heights area is excited about the progress, and has decided to persue becoming a Firewise Community! Many property owners in Pinedale Heights have followed our lead in making their own properties more fire resistant.

Jarod and Dave work on clearing brush alonside the roadway.

New Crew Member!

09/2014

Spencer Oliva-Veteran Crew Member

Spencer served in the Marine Corps as a Infantryman with the India Co., and was stationed in Hawaii before being deployed twice to Iraq between 2007 and 2009. After serving in the Marines, he moved back home to South Dakota. Although from Pierre originally, he has found a home in the Black Hills with his wife and 1 child (soon to be 2!). Spencer is attending WDT for Fire Science and has experience as a wildland fire fighter with the forest service.

Jarid Jeske-Veteran Crew Member

Jarid served in the Army as an combat engineer with the 951st Sapper Co., and was deployed for 9 Months to Afghanistan. He has been active in the area in the medical field as a paramedic, and is interested in a career in fire fighting.

John Murray-Veteran Crew Member

John served in the Army as an Infantryman with the 25th ID and deployed for 15 Months to Iraq. He moved to Rapid City with his wife in February, and will be starting the Fire Science Program at WDT this fall. He enjoys scuba diving, the outdoors and sports.

Jarod Lewis-Veteran Crew Member

Jarod formerly served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps infantry with 1/4 Bravo Company. He spent two years as a rifleman and then cross trained as and assault man for the last two years. He served as a squad leader in charge of 12 Marines, and then took over an assault squad. He did two deployments to the South Pacific and the Middle East.

Dave Ferrier-Veteran Crew Member

Dave is also Rapid City born and raised, and served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps. He did all 4 years of his enlistment in the infantry as a rifleman, and was a team leader. He went on 2 deployments with 1/4 Charlie Company to the South Pacific and the Middle East.

Graduated!

Taylor has joined the Bear Mountain Hand Crew in his pursuit of a career in fire fighting. Good Luck Taylor!

5/2014

Taylor Bowling-Veteran Crew Member

Taylor is originally from North Carolina and served 3 1/2 years in the Air Force doing HVAC work. He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base as a member of the 28th Civil Engineering Squadron, and deployed overseas once to the Middle East for 6 months.

Graduated!

Jim has graduated from the program and is now employed as a teacher at a local University! Thanks for all the hard work Jim!

9/2013

James Reichert-Veteran Crew Member

Jim is Rapid City born and raised, and has 14 years of military service in the United States Air Force, 4 years of experience as a volunteer fire fighter, and 6 years working in the lumber industry. He is also the 3rd generation of his family to work for the Rapid City Fire Department and Rapid City while part of this program.

Rapid City Survivable Space Initiative

Training & Job Opportunities

Update:

Jarod Lewis will be back to school from fighting fire with the Black Hills Helitack Crew this summer!

Dave Ferrier will be back to school from fighting fire with the Mystic Ranger District in the Black Hills this summer!

Jarid Jeske just completed ADOS training with the SD Air Guard this summer on the UH 72 Alpha Lakota Helicopter

School:

Jarod Lewis, Dave Ferrier, Spencer Oliva, and John Murray are all attending the WDT Fire Science Program!

Training opportunities completed so far in addition to Fire Science school are:

S130
&

S190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior