## Exercise 2.6

## Firewise Conversations

> *The Firewise program has effective techniques for protecting
> structures from fire in the interface. The challenge that
> professionals face is convincing landowners to implement these
> techniques. Landowners may object to some Firewise ideas because they
> require modifying the house and landscape design, or because they do
> not understand the risks and possibilities. This skit is a possible
> interaction between a Firewise trained professional and a landowner
> hearing about Firewise design and defensible space for the first time.
> As you listen, consider how the conversation could be improved with a
> different appreciation of interface landowners.*

**Handout 1**

**Role Assignments**

**Instructions**: Role-play a conversation between Firewise the Resource
Professional and Reluctant the Landowner. Firewise just arrived and is
introducing himself or herself to Reluctant. They are standing in the
landowner's driveway, near the house. It is a large house on a 10-acre,
heavily forested lot. They will take a tour of the property, exchanging
suggestions and concerns. Be spirited, have fun, come to some
arrangement for further action. Do NOT feel restricted by the following
suggestions.

**Role for Firewise:** (Be professional but persistent)

-   You are trying to get a foothold in this new, affluent, politically
    powerful neighborhood. Reluctant the Landowner, a vocal community
    leader, is the first person willing to talk to you.

-   You are concerned that the neighborhood road system has only one way
    in and out and few places for fire trucks to turn around. The houses
    and driveways are hidden and not numbered.

-   You are concerned about the heavy fuels in the neighborhood and that
    there is no firebreak between the neighborhood and the adjoining
    state forest. In addition, many homes in the neighborhood are on the
    dry southern side of a large ridge.

-   You are concerned about Reluctant's long, narrow, and curving
    driveway (along which you just arrived) because firefighting
    equipment may not be able to access the house.

-   As you tour Reluctant's lot you also notice:

    -   Wood stored near house

    -   Ladder fuels

    -   Very little open space

    -   Trees touching the house and big shrubs under large windows

    -   Wood siding

    -   Open gutters filled with pine needles

How can you get Reluctant and the rest of the neighborhood to practice
Firewise ideas?

**Role for Reluctant the Landowner:** (Be pleasant and open to ideas,
but a bit stubborn)

-   You are a well educated advertising professional who is very proud
    of your 10 acres.

-   You know many of the neighbors and will likely talk to you about
    your impressions of Firewise and your intentions (i.e., whether to
    adopt or avoid them).

-   You think you are doing the right thing by protecting nature and you
    very much value the privacy vegetation provides.

-   You specifically designed the driveway to appear rustic and private,
    blocking any view of road. Your house has wood siding to blend in to
    the forest.

-   You are especially proud of your new deck, at the back of the house,
    that was built around several trees (the trunks come up through the
    deck).

-   You like burning your wood stove and store firewood near the back
    door.

-   Your partner (wife/husband) loves all nature and hates even to kill
    ants or weeds.

-   You abhor mowing grass, and are delighted that most of the
    groundcover near the house is leaves, mulch, and shrubs.