Do you ever wonder who’s responsible for creating the piles of branches stacked alongside various streets within the Woodside Community? John Carman, resident and volunteer, heads up the Firewise program in our neighborhood.
Since 2015 Woodside Plantation has been a certified Firewise Community, thanks to John and a dedicated group of volunteer homeowners. WPPOA requested the assistance of the state Forestry Commission who suggested we join the Firewise program, which is designed to reduce the threat of wildfires that may threaten homes built near wooded areas. Once certified, the community is eligible for grant awards to help pay expenses. The volunteer’s work hours are used as the “match” for these grant funds. The grant for Woodside last year was $10,000. The POA uses the funds to defray the cost of debris removal and other authorized expenses.
John’s group of volunteers work most Mondays, usually 8 – 10 AM, diligently clearing underbrush and dead tree limbs from POA property. In fire-speak, this is “fuel reduction and fire mitigation.” It lowers the risk of a wildfire.
Firewise is a national program administered by the US Forest Service and the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Thanks to the efforts of the resident volunteers and our POA this effort is a cost-effective way to make our homes safer. Individual homeowners have also recognized the safety benefits of the program by using Firewise standards within their individual lots.
Interested in helping out or learning more? Call the POA Office and they will get you connected.