San Diego County CA— The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County honored community volunteers and local Fire Safe Councils for their exceptional service in the area of wildfire prevention at the 12th Annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony. Held on June 16, 2017, this annual event honors those volunteers who go above and beyond in keeping their communities fire safe.
Representatives from CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, and San Diego Fire-Rescue were keynote speakers at the event. In addition, guests representing a number of national, state, and local elected officials were on hand to present certificates of recognition to the honorees. Fire Safe Council President and Lakeside Fire Chief, Don Butz, presented the 2017 awards to:
2017 Fire Safe Council Volunteer Award Winners:
| Project of the Year: Potrero Community Fuel Breaks Project, Potrero / Tecate Fire Safe Council |
Volunteer of the Year: Deborah Holt, Stone Ridge Fire Safe Council at Warner Springs Estates |
| Outstanding Community Fire Safe Council: Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council |
Outstanding Leadership: Beverly Barrett, Kensington East Fire Safe Council |
| Agency Award: SDG&E and Penney Newell, For her commitment to keeping San Diego County fire safe |
Special Recognition Award: Clayton R. Howe, In grateful appreciation for years of service and dedication |
Run entirely by volunteers, Fire Safe Councils work closely with agency representatives to identify risks and carry out projects to address those risks. “Community Fire Safe Councils and the volunteers who run them are a vital piece of San Diego’s wildfire prevention efforts,” said Sheryl Landrum, Vice President of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. “We consider them our “Neighborhood Watch” for keeping San Diego fire-safe, and we are thrilled to recognize their significant contributions to wildfire prevention.”