GILA COUNTY DISTRICT I SUPERVISOR NEWS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JO JOHNSON (928) 474-2029 (O) (928) 978-4217 (C)

March 10, 2008

GILA COUNTY’S COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY FIRE PROGRAM WINS A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES 2008 ACTS OF CARING AWARD.

Northern Gila County – The Gila County Collaborative Community Fire Program has been selected as a winner in the National 2008 Acts of Caring Awards. The Acts of Caring Awards recognized Gila County as one of the top county community improvement programs in the country. The award program is carried out by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with Freddie Mac.

This program involved helicopter–available first strike water sources, Wildland Urban Interface firebreaks, and free fire-wise brush bins. The active partners who continue to participate are Gila County District I Supervisor, Tommie Martin, Gila County's Public Works and Sheriff’s Departments, the Payson District Forest Service, State Lands, Arizona Department of Transportation, local fire districts, the Sheriff’s Volunteer Posse, local communities and numerous citizen volunteers.

“With these early strike resources of strategically placed helicopter-available pots of water we can make a difference,” Supervisor Martin said. “We can make a little fire a non-fire every time, but if we can’t do that initial strike, every fire becomes an event.”

Only 18 counties received awards. Our program was chosen after careful review by judges and was determined as one of the best of the best of all entries submitted.

“I am very proud of all of the active partners and their continued dedication to this program,” Supervisor Martin said.