Meade County Firewise Program   
"Hire a Veteran Initiative"
 
Funded by the Bureau of Land Management 
"Hire a Veteran, train a Veteran, and you will help a Veteran transition back into civilian society"
 



This month, the Army released more details about its plans to eliminate 40,000 active-duty military positions.   There are 2.8 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  Our rapid reduction in military forces finds these veterans another challenge: coming home. 

 

The Meade County FireWise program has proven to be the perfect niche for veterans who are re-entering the civilian workforce.   What do we offer?  

 

  • Support from the Meade County Veteran Service Officer to ensure our veterans and their families to have access to US Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and health care; advise them of possible State benefits; explain the potential impact of veteran's benefits on other Federal Programs; and intervene in errant communications between veterans and the VA. 
  • A complete career assessment to evaluate a course of action specifically tailored to each individual veteran.   This includes converting their military experience to a civilian resume which is specific to the career opportunity. 
  • Training on interview skills via mock interview boards.
  • Job shadowing with community businesses and county offices.
  • Job fairs and  training on how to identify career opportunities and apply for same. 
Coming home and plugging back into a civilian society can be challenging.  The great aspect of this program is finding fellow veterans who are sharing the same experiences.  The military provides a brotherhood and camaraderie that can be hard to replicate.  The veterans under this program will tell you they have found a safe zone to land while  gathering the skills/mindset needed to make the transition.   
Catching Up with the Crew
"Where Are They Now" - We reached out to past graduates of the program to find out how they're doing. 


Some chose a career in law enforcement, some in equipment operation, and a few have returned to school to receive technical training.

We keep in contact with every member that has graduated the program.  Its great to see how they have changed and are adapting to civilian life.

The Meade County FireWise program has done so much, more than we thought possible in the beginning.

We have mitigated the risk of wildfire in our community and we have aided veterans in finding permanent employment.

We have help them transition into a lifestyle almost forgotten by many of them.  Many struggle with PTSD, depression, guilt, anxiety, and remorse as a result of their time in service.  We have been able to reach out to several of these veterans and assist them in finding the help they needed to make permanent changes in their lives. 

Making every veteran that comes through this program a priority walking side by side with them on their road to recovery and growth.  The best part of this program is that the longer it runs, the more effective we become at resolving these issues.  We have made so many contacts within Veterans Affairs as well as local and private organizations that offer assistance and programs.
Current Firewise Veterans

 

 

 

Travis Ugland - Veteran  

Meade County Fire Mitigation Coordinator

 



Steve Wopinski - Veteran 
Meade County Fire Mitigation Specialist

New Hire June 2015


 



Nic Herman - Veteran 
Meade County Fire Mitigation Specialist

New Hire March 2015
Recent Program Graduates 

Veteran Steve Gilmore  joined the Firewise Program in June of 2015.  Steve successfully found full-time employment in July with the Meade County Jail as a Correctional Officer.

Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks for your service! 
Veteran James McCuiston  joined the Firewise Program in June of 2015.  James successfully found full-time employment in June 2015.

Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks for your service! 
Veteran Angel Knie joined the Firewise Program in January of 2015.  Angel successfully found full-time employment in June 2015.

Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks for your service! 
Veteran Loren Timmer joined the Firewise Program in October of 2014.  Loren successfully enrolled in college in July 2015.

Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks for your service! 
Veteran Ryan Grams  joined the Firewise Program in February of 2015.  Ryan successfully found full-time employment in March 2015.

Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks for your service! 
Past Program Graduates 

Dan Campbell
Meeting with BLM

Meeting with our BLM  Montana / Dakota Community Assistance Program members - as well as several of their Fuels Specialists.
Felling Trees and Bucking Brush
Not just a number 

What these numbers don't speak to, are the invisible wounds our veterans face - such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  At least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD or depression.  It is reported that 50% of these veterans do not seek treatment.  

 

Deployments find mission, duty and camaraderie.  Coming home does not always mean peace, but often reveals confusion, turmoil, anger, depression and isolation. To end the pain; an estimated 22+ veterans and 1 active duty soldier succumb to suicide every day.

 

It is imperative that the public, decision makers, and our veterans' families understand that coming home may not mean the war has ended.

 

 
Meade County Firewise
Newsletter
July 2015
Meade County, SD 
About Firewise
Goals & Objectives 
  • Offer veterans short-term employment (4-6 months) which leads to full-time career opportunities.
  • Train veterans in various skill-sets based on career path.
  • Seek community support and involvement for Firewise program.
  • Solicit private donations to support program efforts. 
  • Graduate veterans to full-time employment and repeat the effort with unemployed veterans. 
Completed Training Initiatives 
  • MSHA Training
    • Mandatory Safety & Health Standards
    • Transportation Controls & Communication Systems
    • Firefighting
    • Ground Conditions & Control
    • Traffic Patterns & Control
    • Working in Areas of High Walls
    • Water Hazards, Pit & Spoil Piles
    • First Aid
    • Electrical Hazards
    • Accident Prevention
    • Health
    • Mobile Equipment Hazards
    • Maintenance & Repair; Material Handling; Working Around Moving Objects
    • Hazard Communications
    • Machine Guarding
    • Review of Mine Safety Act
  • Emergency Management - FEMA 
    • IS-00100.b Introduction to Incident Command System ICS-100 
    • IS-00200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, ICS-200 
    • IS-00700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
    • IS-00120.a An Introduction to Exercises
    • IS-00800.b National Response Framework,  An Introduction
    • IS-00701.a NIMS Multiagency Coordination Systems (MACS)
    • IS-00130 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning
    • IS-00634 Introduction to FEMA's Public Assistance Program
    • IS-00240.a Leadership and Influence 
    • IS - 00130 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning 
    • IS - 00242.a Effective Communication
  • GIS Training Class
    • GIS, Geographic Information Systems, is a technology in which data in the form of points, lines, and polygons are connected to databases providing information about a geographical area. GIS is a digital map containing several layers of data, each layer containing specific information within the digital map.
    • Training on mapping projects and using GPS coordinates.
  • A Gentle Introduction to GIS
    • The course covered the basic concepts of GIS as well as introduced QGIS, an open-source free program that is an inexpensive alternative for mapping. 
  • CPR
    • CPR class instructed by Meade County Jail Medical Staff
    • CPR Certification obtained 
  • S-212 Wildland Fire Chains Saws Class
    • Classroom and practical
    • Certified
  • RT 130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training
  • Black Hills Interagency Guard School
    • S-130, S-190, S-134, S-133, L-180, and I-100
  • ATV and UTV Safety Training
  • Mountain Pine Beetle survey and marking
    • Infested tree identification and common misleading signs 
  • Resume Writing and Job Interview Skills 
  • South Dakota Public Assurance Allience and SDML Workers Compensation Fund
    • 4-Hour Defensive Driving Course - The main objective of this course is to save lives by instructing participants in how to avoid costly collisions and injuries.
    • Harassment Prevention - Training all employees to understand, prevent and deal with workplace discrimination and harassment is nothing less than essential.  Instead of allowing inapropriate conduct to lower employee morale and productivity, organizations should foster a positive and respectful work enviroment that will help all employees thrive.  This course is designed to help your entity accomplish just that. 
Successfully passed and received eligible certifications in all training classes
Public Education and Outreach 
Our latest outreach events included Orman Dam Emergerncy Responders as well as the Sturgis Firehall.  At both events we were able to speak with the public regarding ways to protect their homes from wildland fire and the benefits of thinning trees on their property.

The Firewise crew was also on hand at a veteran job fair at Western Dakota Tech, answering questions and engaging with the community.


... Who knew this suit was so hot? 
 Veterans Helping Veterans

The FireWise Crew was able to help give back to the local community by assisting a disabled combat Veteran in a time of need.  We helped him move to a new home that better suited the needs of his family.  

"The willingness of America's Veterans to sacrifice for our county has earned them our lasting gratitude"    -Jeff Miller-

Grace Property







 
This property belonging to Wayne and Linda Grace was unique in that Wayne is a US Airforce Veteran.  He went above and beyond when we worked his property helping us the entire day.  We were so appreciative of his help we collectivley decided to volunteer our time on site.  Thank you Wayne for your service to this great nation.
Patriotic Employer 
 



FireWise-Fire Mitigaton Specialist Nicolas Herman recognized Travis Ugland (FireWise Coordinator) for his desire to help veterans and to give back to his community.  
Meade County Veteran of the Month 


Travis Ugland was recognized as the Veteran of the Month for Meade County May 2015.
2015 Wildfire Mitigation Inovation Awards

 

Three of the Wildfire Mitigation Innovation Awards went to South Dakota in the Black Hills region: BLM South Dakota Field Office Fire Management Specialist Travis Lipp, Jerry Derr of Meade County and Lieutenant Tim Weaver from the Rapid City Fire Department.

 

Twenty one individuals and organizations were honored for their fire protection work in their respective local communities.  The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are jointly sponsored by the NASF, The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association and the USDA Forest Service. The awards are based on three categories: Fire Adapted Communities Fire Service Leadership, Wildfire Mitigation Innovation and Community Wildfire Preparedness Pioneer.

 

The BLM Montana/Dakotas Community Assistance Program has facilitated grants through assistance agreements with local city and county governments to start "Firewise Communities Programs" which are carried out under the direction of the National Fire Protection Association.  These programs are intended to encourage local solutions for wildfire safety and involve homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers and firefighters in the effort to protect people and property from wildfire risks. The programs are jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the USFS and the NASF and have employed returning South Dakota veterans in fuels reduction and fire suppression work.

 

Wildfire Mitigation Awards are designed to recognize outstanding service in wildfire preparedness and safety across a broad spectrum of activities and among a variety of individuals and organizations. By honoring these achievements, the award sponsors seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value and importance of wildfire mitigation efforts.

            

 
Vet Project #31-32

This property had very densely spaced trees and lots of downed and damaged trees. Logs are being used for firewood, sale, and erosion resistance.  All brush piles are being burned by the homeowner at a later date.
Before and After
Running Totals of Current Veteran Initiated FireWise Efforts

219.8 Acres Treated
85 Structures Protected
33 Properties Treated
15 Veterans Graduated
11 Projects Scheduled
Program Donations: 
  • Signs Now - FireWise Event Banner
  • RDO Equipment - John Deere Gator 
  • Meade County - Ford Explorer 
  • Meade County - Flatbed Trailer
  • Meade County - Ford F150
  • Napa Auto Parts - Reciever Hitch for Ford F-150
  • Meade County  covered the 2013 Workers' Compensation expenses: $16,000
  • Ernest & Kimberly Rupp - $100