CURWENSVILLE – The Moshannon State Forest Fire Wardens met at the Smoke House in Curwensville on Wednesday for their annual training and banquet. The forest fire Wardens assist the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources- Bureau of Forestry with forest fire prevention and suppression.
The introduction was conducted by Wayne Wynick, District Forester. Wynick first introduction was Kenneth Barnes, District Forester. Barnes spoke about forest fire prevention programs, training programs, and the 2010 pay rates.
He was followed by Marty Lentz, Asst. District Forester. Lentz spoke on prescribed fires in Pennsylvania. Lentz stated a new law was passed in 2009 addressing civil and criminal liability for using prescribed fires for fighting forest fires. Lentz gave a brief case study on past prescribed fires used in the Moshannon State Forest.
Robert Merrill, District Forester, spoke on the recent state budget cuts and the impact of the Machellus Shale drilling operations in the Moshannon Forest.
The last presentation was by John Bearer, Chief Operations Section of the Department of Forest Fire Prevention, Harrisburg. Bearer spoke on forest firefighter safety. Bearer cited “The pepper Hill Fire- 1939” where eight members of a Civilian Conservation Crew lost their lives fighting a forest fire in North Central Pennsylvania. (http://www.wildfirelessons.net) Rounds of questions were asked by the forest fire wardens in attendance concerning the 2010 forest fire season.
An award ceremony concluded the program. The following forest fire wardens received service awards:
50 years : Lewis A. Livergood. His award was accepted by Dan Livergood.
45 years : Paul C. Augustine, G. Doug Challingsworth, Wallace Weber.
40 years: Roger E. Casher, Oscar Neeper, H. Scott Streator, Hilary R. Vida.
35 years: Angelo DeFazio, Robert G. Merrill
30 years: Kenneth D. Barnes, Charles Cain, Neal Franchock, Arelene Swales, Wayne Wynick. Nancy Fedders accepted the award for Arelene Swales.
25 years: Gerald Bush, Jerry McIntosh.
30 years: Richard Gummo, Jack D. Laing, William Larsen Jr., Oscar W. Mann, Robert R. Martin, Mark Morgan, D. Chris Reese, John Sidorick, Scott G. Wink.
15 years: Peter M Baughman, Todd E. Kling, David A. Washic.
10 years: Michele A. Billotte, Wade M. Dixon, Robert Fay, William C. Hendricks Jr., Seymore R. Johnson, Larry A. Long.
Whip awards-Wardens Helping in Prevention Larry Bickel, G. Doug Challingsworth, Terry Collins Sr., Wayne Emigh, William Larsen Jr., Todd Kling, Larry Long, Michael Mayersky, Michael McCracken, Jarred Potter, and Robert Prior.
Special service awards went to Melvin McLaughlin, G. Doug Challingsworth, Michael Mayersky, Jarred Potter.