Inside the GFC [Spring 2012]

Inside The GFC
Doing the Right Things Right!

Spring 2012

News from The Georgia Forestry Commission

On the Inside:

Letter from the Director Dear GFC Professionals, "Whatcha Proud Of ?"

CRC Makeover Unveiled! Page 17

For some time, you've been sharing on our intranet the achievements made by you and your colleagues that bring you the greatest pride. Not surprisingly, we have now amassed more than 12 pages of significant accomplishments that document those achievements and truly define our agency. Reading this list is an amazing experience in itself and you can do that on the pages that follow. The successes chronicled prove our reach is wide and our impact has made a difference. It is gratifying to know that every moment, in every corner of the state, a member of the GFC team continues to provide first class customer service to the citizens of Georgia.

It is even more notable to recall that the last year was filled with monumental challenges. From ongoing budget cuts and fewer personnel to managing yet another demanding, recordbreaking wildfire and tornado season, you still found better, faster and more effective and efficient ways to provide great service to our customers. Those specific improvements are at the heart of what this agency is all about. In no particular order, here is the tip of the iceberg:

Satilla Scores FFA Field Day Success Page 22
Capital Kudos for GFC Teams Page 23

An all time record breaking 1.7 million acres prescribe burned in Georgia. A record increase of 50% in certified Firewise Communities, also largely due to the
efforts of the GFC; for the first time, the South now leads the nation in the number of Community Wildland Fire Protection Plans. An incredible 20,661 acres in enhanced wildland fuels management practices accomplished through the ARRA program. GFC Law Enforcement investigated 216 wildfires with 118 determined to be arson, leading to 17 arrests. GRITS was deployed a good move in the right direction and leading the way in the southern region for tracking outdoor burning; The exceptional performance of the GFC Type II Team and the excellent communication measures taken to assure compliance of all state and incident policies. Procuring and administering $17.4 million in grants to supplement state funding and earning more than $2.6 million in incident business management revenues. The purchase of over $6.2 million in equipment (crawlers/trucks/trailers/radios) and the associated fabrication and installation of accessories (blades/beds/plows/water handling equipment /wiring). The development and implementation of numerous time saving automated systems, including a new and improved employee time management system/vendor payment system/federal funding system/grants program/labor allocation system/training systems.
(continued on next page)

Published Quarterly for the Employees of The Georgia Forestry Commission by the Communications Department.

Letter from the Director (continued) An increase in genetic gains from pine seedlings grown at our Flint Nursery, with the average increase now more than 29% higher volume at rotation compared to unimproved stock. A 22% increase in service to companies exploring expansion and development in Georgia, with 84 companies assisted and 36 wood analysis projects completed. The development and implementation of a career paths program and opportunities including a forester technician program and cross training program. Eighty-five GFC professionals in all positions throughout the state have now been trained in Lean Management Techniques and this year made business process improvements in Fire/Forester/Education reporting, prescribed fire scheduling, and After Action Reviews. No audit findings in FY11 and a surplus of $745.88. GFC Facebook and twitter social media fans and followers increased to over 7,000 and we experienced impressive increases in media coverage. Our tremendous safety record, during a year in which numerous wildland firefighter fatalities were recorded across the country. On the complete "Whatcha Proud Of ?" list, you'll find many more testimonies to service and pride, along with specific achievements for individual units and districts. Read them online and be inspired, again. If I don't say it enough, please know that you are the person who makes our team the amazing force it is. So can you imagine what I'm personally most proud of ? The opportunity and privilege to be a part of this team! Sincerely,
Robert Farris Director
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Whatcha Proud Of...2011

FOREST PROTECTION

A total of 20,661 acres were improved through the ARRA Enhanced Fuels Management grant accomplishments:

--Longleaf pine establishment

2,414 acres

--Chemical fuel reduction

11,386 acres

--Mowing113 acres

--Mowing/herbicide3,570 acres

--Fuel reduction thinning

115 acres

--Fuel reduction thinning/herbicide 1,194 acres

--Ag food crop

27 acres

--Rx burning w/breaks

842 acres

--Road strip management

82.6 miles

--Pre-suppression firebreaks

317 hours

--New helicopter dip sites

3 new sites / 14 maintenance/reconstruction

--Longleaf pine total

2,414 acres

--Fuel reduction total

247 acres

GRITS was deployed a good move in the right direction and leading the way in the southern region for tracking outdoor burning;

A total of 1.7 million acres prescribed burned in 2011 - a record year for GFC;

Firewise communities increased 50 percent in just one year;

Largely due to efforts in Georgia, the south leads the nation in the number of CWPPS for the first time in history;

New construction on the fabrication shop began;

GFC's fleet now includes 89 environmental cab tractors;

Assisted in completing the Forest Action Plan and Georgia's Strategic Plan;

GFC Law Enforcement conducted 216 fire investigations (11 involving civilian deaths); 118 of those investigations revealed arson fires; 17 arrests were made.

FOREST MANAGEMENT
Forester technician program was launched, creating new opportunities for both our forest techs and foresters;
New, more efficient forester reporting process and the foresters who engaged in the development and improvement of the process;
By managing other state agencies' timberland, GFC provided on-the-ground assistance for managing the resources owned by our state.

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ADMINISTRATION
No audit findings in FY11 and a surplus of $745.88;
Administrative personnel supported 2007 wildfires through meeting all administrative support needs, filling critical Type 2 positions and assigning an IBA during Honey Prairie/Racepond agreement period ;
Incident Business Management FY11 earnings $2,646,705
--The attention to detail of the GFC individual resources for taking the extra time to complete shift tickets, CTR's and submit their incident supporting documents within 24 hours to their district or Macon administrative assistants;
--The exceptional performance of the GFC Type II Team and the excellent communication measures taken to assure compliance of all state and incident policies;
The presence of mind the Financial Section (Reggie Lanier, Amy Treadwell, Joe Fincher) had going into the Sweat Farm Again/Racepond FMAGS to request a meeting to discuss how different items would be entered into ISUITE and what impact they would have on cost projections; and the decision to use the new "standard rate" developed at Honey Prairie during the Racepond Cost Share;
The consistency used by LFSU/Incident Business to spend four days on site and work with the transition process to assure the same format would be used and scrub the ISUITE database, resulting in the closest final ISUITE cost to actual cost we have ever had;
The care GFC Type II IC's, logistical chiefs and operational chiefs used in making critical decisions kept the GFC compliant with all state and federal policies. There were several "open records" requests throughout the summer of 2011, and on each one, the Type II Team command staff and the LFSU/IB staff took the steps to seek proper approval;
New automated systems developed for Grants/Incident Business
--Labor Allocation & Verification System - LAVS --Federal Budget System FBS --Grants Online Program Enhancements OLP --Georgia Basic Wild Land Firefighter Automated System - GBWF Accounting Department
--Automated several manual processes:
Determining the number of utility payments by vendor within a fiscal year; Created PDF files for lockbox checks rather than paper check copies; Search for lockbox check copies; Contract management system on the GFC intranet; --Set up online submission for state taxes, Department of Labor unemployment, Colonial Insurance and Reliance Insurance;
--Implemented the use of a remote deposit scanner, eliminating need to take check deposits to the bank;
--Supported SAO's initiative to convert vendor payments from paper checks to automated clearing house payments, including employee expense accounts. Our process for getting vendor buy-in was used as an example for other agencies to follow.
--Per GFC's suggestion, SAO implemented a central location for submitting Peoplesoft wishlist items'
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--28 Day T & E enhancements: Revised and put into production a new and improved automated 28 day T & E; enhancements include the date the T & E comp balance was posted and a system to prevent the posting of comp balances before all 15 day related T & E's have been completed. A comp adjustment report to see what happened behind the scenes when comp balances were posted; A late posting report to see which employees were behind in posting their 28 day comp balances; An OT report to determine the hours paid and hours pending by employee;
--Assisted in the development of a training presentation on the 28 day T & E program; --Revised the way we account for 10 cents per acre transactions to streamline some budget comparison
needs; --Presented a demonstration of our automated T & E system to DNR and DTAE at their requests; Purchasing Department --State Purchasing Certification obtained by everyone in Purchasing Department; --Buying Team Manual updated; --Purchasing personnel lead buying team efforts on 2007 fires in Satilla and Ogeechee districts; --Purchase of $6.2 million in GFC equipment (crawlers, trucks, trailers and radios); --Lead procurement effort on the construction of new county units in Bartow, Upson and Bleckley
counties; --Major remodeling and upgrading of units statewide with bond funds; --77 bids completed FY11 (7/1/10 6/30/11); Information Technology FY11 Accomplishments --Supported the design and development of the GRITS application; --Continue to support the refinement of the GFC time system; --Supported the Type 2 Team's deployment; --Tested the use of mobile laptops in the fire control vehicles; --Continue to support the Narrow Band FCC required conversion to new radios by 2013; --Support the construction of new county units communications functions; --Deployed the Forest Health foresters' new tablet computers to aid in their job functions; --Supporting the upcoming new GFC public website transition; --Supporting GIS needs through the use of area foresters for all GFC GIS projects; --Added navigation GPS units to all vehicles; --Making significant changes to the GFC email address book to reflect the district reshaping; --Continue to migrate all GFC email boxes to the new GFC email server;
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--Supporting the design and construction of the dispatch centers;
--Added the generator to the server room to prevent any network outage from impacting GFC functions;
--Upgraded generator at the CRC to cover the center itself to assure 24x7 operations;
--Increased telephone and data network capacity on the GFC Macon campus;
Buildings and Grounds
--Gas lines repaired for mail complex;
--Generators up-graded for Central Response Center and IT for emergency needs of voice over IP;
--Managed DOC crews who accomplished up-grades on several Macon complex buildings;
--Managed Macon car pool fleet's maintenance needs;
GRANTS
GRANTS administered revenues of $17,423,838:
--$9,590,138 of Federal USFS grants/ $5,908,673 ARRA funds/ $1,925,027 FMAG
The dedication of the ARRA team and the Grants Department in:
--Successfully closing the Urban Green Jobs and Stewardship Revisit Rx Burn ARRA Grants
Frank Riley and Gary White completed the final report in February 2012 after a 9/30/2011 grant close. Frank, who has returned to his position with the Regional Long Leaf ARRA Grant, worked diligently with RC&D's and communities to ensure that dead trees planted but not maintained by a vendor were replanted. Excellent Customer Service Frank!
--Ken Wilt, working with GFC and ESRI personnel, completed "GRITS" which gives the GFC state of the art smoke detection capabilities, a major "lasting impact" as a result of the Stewardship Revisit RX Burn ARRA Grant;
--The huge accomplishment Bob Campbell, Bill Harvey, Bob Kenny and Jim Redding made contacting property owners, working mitigation with local communities and getting our message heard within the one mile buffer zone of the Swamp Edge Break (SEB);
--The SEB prevented the Honey Prairie fire from escaping the swamp and causing even more damage;
--The lasting Impact of the Enhanced Fuels Management (EFM) will be the lives unharmed and the land unburned;
The willingness to change of the program managers on the Allocation/Redesign team;
--Kudos to team allocation/Redesign you HAVE changed the way you execute your project activities. You verify expense better, there are fewer adjustments. Funds are in line with categories and accounts and reimbursements are paid quicker. You are in continuous communication with the Grants Department.
The Grants Department has had a lot of recognition nationally lately for superior grants management practices. That is for all we do as a team! It's a collective effort of program managers, project, managers, admin assistants, foresters, rangers, TDL's, grants coordinators, grants managers, and grants assistants who have accepted accountability for their area of concentration.
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REFORESTATION
The nursery turned a profit last year and, in fact, turned some revenue over to Protection last year. So we live to fight another day!
The genetic quality of the planting stock available to Georgia landowners continues to improve. The average genetic gain from pine seedlings sold at Flint River is over 29 percent more volume at rotation compared to unimproved stock.
It appears that we have won back some seedling contracts with the USFS. In the depths of the recession, they chose to use other nurseries in what they thought were cost-cutting efforts. They are returning to Flint River.
The demand for GFC pine seed seems to be growing. Small, independent nurseries without seed orchards or tree improvement programs are increasingly coming to GFC for seed.
Though our numbers are fewer and our equipment is older, we continue to produce quality stock at reasonable prices.
FOREST UTILIZATION
The Forest Utilization Department increased the total service level of companies exploring expansion and development within Georgia. Services increased 22 percent over last year with 84 companies assisted and 36 wood supply analysis projects completed.
Utilization staff developed service relationships with many prospective wood pellet production companies and with three major European utility companies seeking large quantities of wood biomass.
With an investment of $150 million in Georgia, the largest wood pellet plant in the world, Georgia Biomass, LLC, began operation in the 2nd quarter 2011. GFC Utilization personnel provided significant assistance to parent company RWE in their endeavor to locate a plant in Georgia.
The department assisted Rayonier in their effort to locate the most sustainable area for hardwood chip procurement expansion in Georgia. After detailed examination of several woodsheds by GFC staff, Rayonier announced in December their intent to construct a chip mill in Quitman, one of the examined areas.
The department produced four quarterly newsletters providing timely information on a variety of wood product topics. Staff is especially proud of the multiple requests received for persons to be added to the distribution list for this newsletter.
INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS & UNITS
COOSA DISTRICT (1)
Responded to 443 fires during the months of February and March 2011;
Responded to the April tornado outbreak, clearing debris and providing access to other emergency responders and the general public;
Filled over 213 two-week assignments in south Georgia with a large proportion of these being leadership positions;
Coosa District was represented in leadership positions of the GFC Type II Team;
Completion of seven CWPP's across the district with personnel actively involved in completing community evaluations;
Coosa District's "Leaf Watch Team" provided photos, narratives and suggested viewing routes for our public website;
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Dawson/Forsyth Forestry Unit being named 2011 Dawson County Tree Preservationist of the Year by the Dawson County Tree Preservation Committee & Keep Dawson County Beautiful. A tree was planted in honor of the Unit at Memorial Park.
Led and participated in the "Re-Leaf Ringgold" tree planting project that resulted in over 300 containerized trees being planted in tornado ravaged neighborhoods of Ringgold;
Ranger I Chris Henderson saved the life of a landowner who had passed out inside the fireline and whose clothing was on fire. Chris extinguished the flames and moved him to safety staying with the victim until EMS arrived. Chris was awarded the Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service.
Ranger I's Payton Turner (Coosa), Rusty Carroll (Coosa) and Ron Calhoun (Ogeechee) for coming to the aid of a logger whose radiator had exploded in his face on the HP fire. Ron arranged for EMS response and Payton and Rusty provided first aid and transported the victim to meet up with EMS.
Paulding/Polk Unit personnel transported the Christmas tree for the Governor's Mansion;
Barrow/Clarke/Jackson/Oconee/Gwinnett Unit personnel operated the tree spade lifting and transporting the Christmas tree for the State Capitol Building;
Ranger I Phillip Anderson's role in the statewide GFC radio licensing project;
Ranger II Roy Fortenberry's role in installing radios in GFC equipment around the state;
Charles Bailey's leadership and expertise in the expanding GFC GIS arena while still maintaining a management forester's work load;
Bartow/Cherokee Unit and other Coosa personnel completing construction on the new Bartow Unit complex at considerable savings to the GFC;
Gilmer/Pickens Unit personnel doubled plowing and burning assistance and completed extensive renovation at the Pickens office;
The entire Coosa District for making the inaugural year of Coosa a successful one.
FLINT DISTRICT (2)
Progress in coming together as the Flint District by keeping a good sense of humor and maintaining strong teamwork during difficult times;
NWCG accomplishments resulting from busy fire season;
Dedication in a difficult fire season and very few injuries to personnel;
Bryan Spillers, Mike Clark and Darren Martin stepping up to the Chief Ranger role;
Forester Kent Johnson certifying as a TPIA;
Great landowner service accomplishments despite a tough fire season;
Decatur County awarded South Region Unit of the Year;
Natural Resource Conservation Workshop at ABAC ;
Training;
Work done in the Satilla District;
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New equipment; Work on bond projects
OCONEE DISTRICT (3) A team of men and women who make a difference in the lives of people they have never met; by risking their
lives to protect the lives, homes and livelihoods of strangers as well as the precious resources of this state; Rangers, foresters and chief rangers are seen in the field everyday beating overwhelming odds through blood,
sweat and tears ... laying it all out on the line to provide a service that gets overlooked by an overwhelming majority; Protecting and managing Georgia's precious forest resources is why we're here, and we want to get it right so our kids, grandkids and even those who don't know what we are doing can benefit and enjoying the forest just like we have today; Proud to stand with each ranger, forester and chief ranger and say we are the Georgia Forestry Commission.
CHATTAHOOCHEE DISTRICT (4) A district that has a family atmosphere; All units fully staffed and able to hire within several weeks following a vacancy; GFC's Type 2 Team and assignments, which help personnel with their training and other management skills; Group of personnel who truly care about one another and work as a team; Being part of an organization that has made it through several budgets without being affected as some of the
other agencies, and worked hard to keep its most valuable assets: its people; Making a difference in people's lives as a GFC employee; All the work our firefighters did in southeast Georgia from March until Christmas; Response from our forester to assist landowners affected by the tornadoes; District personnel for stepping up and assisting with clearing roads in the affected storm damaged areas; Numerous compliments the employees in the district received for their outstanding customer service; New employees we have been fortunate to hire to fill our vacancies and have a full crew once again; A career path for our employees to follow in order to increase their knowledge and wealth with the agency; New facility at in Upson County; Accomplishments of our district which led to the District of the Year Award; Pike/Upson County Units
--Completed building project and moved in new facility. --Completed CWPP for both Lamar and Upson County --New flag and flag pole for new office is being donated by Woodman of the World --Unit personnel attended The Rock Ranch new office and old fire truck dedication in January.
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--Unit personnel attended Tree City/Arbor Day Ceremony for City of Thomaston and City of Griffin. --Carroll/Haralson Units --Had fewer wildfires than in years past --Have already reached what we did last year in respects to plowing and burning --Hired and trained 3 new Rangers --Completed community wildfire assessment for Haralson County Monroe County Unit --After hiring 3 employees in one year we now have a crew that will be with GFC for a while. --Completed remolding of Flammable building --Thanks to the Newton County Unit personal for their assistance, the unit has completed 75.5 miles of
firebreaks in Butts Co. with 420 acres being burned --The Monroe County Unit has completed 320.25 miles of firebreaks (chargeable) and 60.45 of training breaks
with 1256 acres being burned already. --Was able to assist with 5 different Arbor Day programs this year between Butts and Monroe Counties. --Having the Monroe County Unit truck shed completed with a new metal roof and metal siding. --Obtained an SSF 3, TPOP to train and assist while training 2 other new employees Newton County Unit --Ranked 7th in the state for out of county assistance. --1 Ranger promoted to Forest Tech. Troup County Unit -- Built metal bed for transport -- Repair fuel tank on tractor -- Had a TV Show -- Everyone in the Unit participated in training -- ALL of the Unit went to assignments in state and out -- Assisted CORP with plowing, harrowing, and burning -- Assisted WMA with plowing Meriwether County Unit -- Involved in tree planting project that the Rotary Club of LaGrange hosted with the involvement of LaGrange
High School students on Camp Viola, which is a camp run by Twin Cedars Youth Development in LaGrange. We supplied the dibble bars and the expertise to plant 500 loblolly pines. -- Arbor Day program in Luthersville
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Coweta County Unit -- Trained, acquired CDL and completed GBWF for two new employees within 4 months -- Forest Tech has signed up 38 landowners for cost share money for spraying and burning
Harris County Unit -- The Arbor day effort put in for the City of Columbus (you have the pictures) -- The fact we have 2 Tree Cities (Columbus/Woodland) and have gotten them recertified on time every year since they were started. -- Ranger 1 taking the extra radio training so he could assist our District installing radios and equipment -- All the 3rd party evaluations that Mike Dean has administered to new R-1's throughout the state -- All the trips to Satilla District and Honey Prairie as ENOPS/ENGBS by Barbee, Dean, Dunn Bryan. (East Texas Incident, Chris Dunn) (Tornado cleanup in Spaulding Co. Bryan) -- Completion of all our Plowing/Burning requests this past season without any cancellations due to us not getting to them. -- Leaving one district and joining another without so much as a glitch in our production and daily operations. -- Adapting quickly to the differences in operations of switching from one district to another. -- Complimentary letters sent to higher management about our work habits and professional abilities. -- Being part of another award winning district
Progression made in cross training;
SATILLA DISTRICT (5) Five forest technicians learned their jobs "on the job" due to forester vacancies, covering the majority of the
forest management cases for several months in addition to their fire control duties; Jeff Davis, Ware and Glynn counties stepped up and took care of business with the absence of a supervisor; CDI process and the employees' efforts so far to achieve the next level; Counties that pitched in to help other counties with high plowing and harrowing workloads; Seedling pickup and delivery process this year; Working to reduce the number of delinquent invoices; Appling County Unit
-- No personnel losses despite difficult times; still keeping average fire size to under four acres Atkinson/Coffee County Unit
-- All the plowing and harrowing the four Rangers at the Atkinson and Coffee units have done this year. They have gone above their average with four Rangers instead of the usual six.
-- Response to wildfires -- Safe working environment created this year
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-- Chief Ranger Jamey Smith wants his Rangers to know how proud he is of them and how grateful he is for all of their efforts made in accomplishing goals of the GFC. They truly are a great team!
Bacon County Unit -- Received funds to put down gravel at the unit -- Process started for enclosing shop and adding roll up doors -- Ware County Ranger I Thomas Whitley for his efforts in seedling coordination this year
Berrien County Unit -- Assistance from other counties to help plow breaks in a timely manner when the plowing list grows continuously -- Mitigation clerk that allows unit personnel to be able to do more work outside of the office -- Bond project that allowed for remodel of the unit office -- The employees at the Berrien Unit go far beyond the call to make Berrien a productive and great place to work and supervise
Camden County Unit -- Grateful for the funds provided to be able to close shop in -- Part of the FireWise community of Woodbine -- Great group of people at the Camden County RFD and Camden County EMA -- Chief Ranger Wes Merkison is proud of being part of such an outstanding unit
Charlton County Unit -- Funds supplied in order to build a new office and shop
Clinch County Unit -- Brantley/Pierce Chief Ranger Bo Chesser>s help and patience with Forest Tech work -- Jason Gillis> work as interim DM, he has really stepped up and done a great job! -- Jessica Lee's work as an interim Admin Assistant and as a newly selected Admin. Great job! -- Chief Ranger Jason Squires is grateful for the help from the Chief Rangers in Satilla district and the support of the Rangers at the Clinch Unit with his new job duties
Echols/Lanier/Lowndes County Units -- The units as a whole are thankful they have such a great job, even through these economic difficulties. -- Chief Ranger Buck Kline is proud of the quality and quantity of work that my three counties personnel have completed during these past six months. We have three open positions and the daily work is being completed in a timely manner. I put these men and women on a high pedestal and I just want to say THANKS for all that you do each day. -- Chief Ranger Buck Kline is proud of this year's seedling coordination in the Satilla District -- Proud of their new equipment that they have to work with
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Glynn County Unit
-- Proud of our entire district. With so many people leaving, transferring, and getting promotions there have been many empty spaces left to fill. The entire district has really stepped up to maintain the high level of customer satisfaction that is expected from us. From answering the phone for an adjoining county to sending someone to assist with plowing or burning, everyone has always been willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us in a time of need.
Jeff Davis County Unit
-- Thankful that we have had the knowledge and training to be able to continue pressing forward in the absence of our Chief Ranger Tommy Campbell.
-- Proud of Chief Rangers Pete Rewis and Jeff Fariss for helping out with needs such as purchasing while Tommy is out.
Pierce County Unit
-- Thankful that we all still have our jobs, even in difficult times
-- Grateful for Chief Ranger Derrick Duncan offering his assistance with purchasing while our Chief Ranger Bo Chesser and Ranger II Donnie James have been out.
Ware County Unit
-- Ranger I Thomas Whitley says he is proud of the fellow Rangers at the Ware Unit: Dale Arnold, Hilton Bennett, Eric Smith, and Supplemental Firefighter Matthew Stoddard for helping support him while being the Acting Chief Ranger during the absence due to illness of their current Chief Ranger Nickie Jordan.
-- We are proud of Bacon County Chief Ranger Pete Rewis for all of his help with purchases during this time.
Wayne County Unit
-- Chief Ranger Derrick Duncan is most proud of how all of the unit employees pulled together and shared call as well as other duties in one Ranger I's time of illness. His illness took place during the holidays and comp time reduction period. These circumstances could have made things difficult, but the willingness of the other Rangers to sacrifice their time off in what was already a historical year for working extra hours, made things run smooth.
OGEECHEE DISTRICT (6)
Work ethic exhibited by all personnel - everyone works hard to achieve goals that seem unobtainable at times due to cut backs, fewer personnel and work load.
Praise received from the Governor and our legislators for daily operations as well as the Type 2 Team;
Leadership fought to make sure employees were compensated for their hard work and dedication on the fires in 2011;
Last year's safety record although it was a trying year, we had a very limited number of injuries due to carefulness, creativity and dedication of our employees to get the job done and remain safe;
All the work and the commitment of personnel that has gone into making the new Ogeechee District work as well as it has this past year;
Forest Protection Chief supported our firefighters when we broke the bio crust;
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Thankful to have a job (with benefits) during these difficult times; honored to be a part of the Georgia Forestry Commission and in particular the Ogeechee District; proud to be associated with a group of people who continue to perform their duties in an outstanding manner with very little complaint, risk their lives on a regular basis to protect the property of people they often don't know, continually impress landowners with their skill, their ability, and their commitment to do every job right, and show genuine concern for the safety and wellbeing of each other;
Forester Jeremy Hughes for earning a well deserved promotion into the Forest Health Group;
Finally being in my new unit and to FINALLY have a full crew;
Renee Allen deserves some special recognition for the work she does trying to make sure that our customers get their trees when they want them. We bug her A LOT and she stays calm, concerned, and friendly. I cannot remember a single time she has ever been anything but professional and pleasant. I know enough about what she has to do to know that she has to get exasperated with us at times but it never shows. I am TRULY PROUD to work with her.
RAPID PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
GFC professionals volunteered up to five full days of their time to participate in several Rapid Process Improvement projects in 2011, resulting in the following efficiencies, accomplishments and improvements:
Forester Activity Reporting
-- Re-designed the Foresters Activity Reporting System, eliminating outdated or unnecessary information and creating a consistent system for each of the department's programs;
-- Created a new, more versatile, landowner database system which allows for multiple tracts to be listed under each landowner and GFC activities to be recorded for each tract.
Chattahoochee Prescribed Burning
-- Developed an online district scheduling tool which provides transparency in district operations and allows personnel resources to be shared/borrowed across county lines maximizing the number of customers served each year;
-- The scheduling tool also encourages the best practice of scheduling work one week in advance;
-- Encouraged using available equipment to maximize efficiency (i.e. ATVs);
-- Established a priority system for prescribed burning which enabled us to maximize landowners served and quality of burn based on weather.
Community and Educational Activity Reporting
-- Designed the External Calendar which allows GFC professionals to personally advertise forestry-related local events on GFC's public website and notifies GFC's Communication Department of future events;
-- Designed a new "Community Outreach Reporting System" (AKA CORS) which will eliminate redundant reporting, eliminate separate department reporting systems and more accurately capture event information (i.e. multiple personnel at one event) and performance data. (Not rolled out yet)
-- Designed a new Community Database which allows local units to view "at a glance" community status such as: Firewise status, Tree City status, CWPP status, etc. This database will encourage sharing information between departments and increase our ability to monitor data for Federal grant programs. (Not rolled out yet)
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Fire Report and Suppression Charges
-- Designed a new Wildfire Data Entry program which will replace GFC's Fire Report, automatically feed portions of the Monthly Fire Safety Report, eliminate the need to record Unlawful Burning Notices in a separate database (for wildfires only) and will automatically develop a Suppression Invoice based on the data entered. The program will automatically generate the Fire Report. Many of the fields in the program will be automatically populated by linking to the GRITS system and GFC's weather database.
-- Updated GFC's Fire Report Manual & Suppression Charges Manual and combined into one Manual that will be available on the GFC intranet;
-- Gained approval for a GFC transition from UTMs to Lat/Long in order to be compatible with GFC's cooperators;
-- Eliminated expensive "Truck Maps" and gained commitment to distribute Gazeteer's Georgia map books in each wheeled vehicle and in offices. These map books will increase GFC professional's ability to work across county and district lines.
Other Projects
-- 2011 Fires After Action Review
Facilitated a 2-day statewide After Action Review of Georgia's extreme 2011 wildfire season;
Developed an "After Action Review" report that consolidates information from six separate After Action Reviews. The report also lists specific action item, deadlines and responsible parties.
-- T&E Training
Worked with the Administration Department to enhance GFC's online 28-day Time and Exposure Report;
Developed a training tool to explain FLSA rules and requirements, consistently defined key terms, and provide real world examples;
Led a "Train the Trainer" session with over 20 district representatives;
Utilized training tool to train Flint District chief rangers
Other Accomplishments
-- Trained an additional 25 GFC professionals in Lean Management Techniques for a total of 85 professionals
COMMUNICATIONS
Completed an internal communications survey and discovered how GFC professionals prefer to receive their communications, what they want to hear more about, etc. Findings have been used to streamline internal communications efforts;
Helped streamline the efforts of GFC's Public Information Officers during in-state incidents;
GFC's Facebook page rose to 6,500 fans and our twitter page rose to 540 followers;
Utilized our social media tools to get information out more efficiently and quickly during incidents, leading to GEMA asking us to share our social media strategy with other state agencies;
Media coverage soared last year, with placements in virtually all major GA newspapers, TV and radio stations; plus additional coverage on NBC Nightly News, the Today Show and the Wall Street Journal;
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Had many articles covering a variety of topics published in newspapers, magazines and newsletters throughout the state and the region;
Partnered with GA DNR on LeafWatch 2011, and added an online fall foliage photo contest; Continued work on GFC's new public website thanks to a grant from our Law Enforcement program the new
site should launch next month; Updated several GFC publications (including Georgia Forest Facts, GFC Services and Safe Burning Practices)
and produced the 2012 planner with the help of the Management and Protection departments; Worked with the Georgia Forestry Association on the release of Georgia's Ecosystem Services Report; Launched the Selling Your Timber outreach effort to help educate landowners on timber sales best practices; Continued partnerships for Teacher Conservation Workshop, Natural Resources Conservation Workshop and
other educational outreach efforts.
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Meet the CRC!
by Hannah Cowart
Have you had a chance to visit the Central Response Center (CRC) in Macon? You've probably communicated with Emily Hamilton, Tami Parker, Frank Jackson, or Kelly Towe on the radio, but have you actually seen the physical transformation that has occurred at the CRC? Six dual-monitor dispatcher consoles with standard manuals, carpeted walls to help absorb sound, one fully-outfitted lead worker office and one GEMA console to aid during emergency response have made this operation a modern, efficient hub for critical customer service.
Most importantly, the CRC is "home away from home" for four full time GFC employees (FTE's) and 12 temporary day laborers (TDL's)! At least one FTE is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide expert assistance through the skills acquired during Georgia Basic Wildland Firefighter training and the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager training. Recently, the CRC went through a bittersweet transition as it said goodbye to one of its top TDL dispatchers, Annie Moncrief. Annie left to pursue the opportunity to become GFC's new Forest Management Administrative Assistant, filling the shoes of Bonny Adams, who retired.
The Southern Response Center (SRC) is beginning to take form as well with the remodeling of the old Tifton District Office. Renovations are set to be completed sometime this summer. After the SRC is finished, work will begin on the Northern Response Center (NRC) by re-purposing one of the shops at the Dawson Unit. The Dawson Unit not only satisfied the Response Center criteria of being centrally located in the service area and being the most economically feasible option, but it also will provide an outstanding working environment and great north Georgia scenery for its future dispatchers. Both the SRC and NRC will be co-located with current GFC Units (Tift Unit and Dawson/Forsyth Unit) to provide cross-training opportunities and encourage open communication. When NRC construction is finished, the trio of Response Centers will be complete and services will be extended to every office.
Response Center Manager and former McRae District Ranger, Jeff Lassiter, deserves special recognition for leading the CRC through its remarkable transition. For the past two years, Jeff has spent day and night (just ask his wife, Tonya!) transforming the CRC into the well run facility you see today. His GFC experience as a Ranger 1, Chief Ranger and District Ranger came in handy through managing bid processes, troubleshooting radio/computer issues, hiring quality employees and providing the day to day guidance and support that is necessary in any work group. Jeff is planning to retire this summer to spend time with his family, which is his true passion. Through his noteworthy accomplishments, he is certainly leaving behind a remarkable legacy for us all at the GFC.
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USACE and EPA Silvicultural Field Trip
On February 16, members of the Georgia Forestry Commission Water Quality team met with representatives of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The field trip, hosted by Plum Creek on two sites in the upper coastal plain and lower piedmont, was designed to show a variety of normal silvicultural activities and the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that help keep these activities in compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA exempts normal, established, ongoing silvicultural activities from the permitting process for activities in jurisdictional wetlands as long as they are in compliance with fifteen federal baseline provisions for forest road construction in waters of the United States and are in compliance with state forestry BMPs. A number of recent court cases have highlighted the need for understanding and agreement between the various agencies involved in making decisions on exemptions as to what normal, BMP compliant silvicultural operations in Georgia look like when implemented in the field. Over 30 field personnel from these agencies were brought together to view and discuss these operations. Stops on the field trip included several different types of BMP compliant stream crossings, forest road BMPs, bottomland hardwood mat logging, and different methods of stabilization for skid trails and loading decks. Discussions were lead by GFC and USACE with input from EPA.
This field trip was a great opportunity for the GFC water quality staff to meet representatives from the other water quality agencies and to spotlight sound, sustainable, BMP compliant forestry being carried out. GFC is tasked by EPD with developing forestry BMPs in Georgia and educating the public on their use, monitoring their implementation and effectiveness, and investigating water quality complaints involving silvicultural activities.
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Making the Shade
O n Saturday, January 21, the GFC joined forces with more than 80 teachers, parents, children and other volunteers to plant 48 hardwood and 35 red cedar trees at Guyton Elementary School. The school had been awarded a $4,000 grant through the 2011 Making the Shade program, which is designed to create healthier, more energy efficient school campuses by planting large shade trees. Thanks go to SCFP Forester Mark McClellan who headed up the project and worked with the school to create a planting plan, purchase the trees and organize the planting event. Thanks also to Sam Blackwood and Billy Brown from the Effingham County Unit and Joan Scales, SCFP partnership coordinator, who gave up their Saturday to assist with the planting.
LaGrange High School Students Help Plant Trees
LaGrange High School students got some first hand training in tree planting in January at Camp Viola in Troup County. The director of the youth development organization is a friend of GFC Meriwether Chief Ranger Gary Degler, pictured at back left, who supplied the dibble bars and expertise to plant 500 loblolly pines on the property. The project was co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of LaGrange.
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Smokey Bear Visits Murray County Headstart
Murray County Ranger 1 Matt Rymer as Smokey Bear charms a group of boys and girls with a personal visit in February. More than 150 Murray County Headstart students learned about fire prevention and got
a chance to get up close and personal with the fun and furry ambassador for fire safety.
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February 20, 2012
Baker County:
I want to tell you a great story about the Baker County Farm Bureau and the Baker County School.
In December 2011, while thinking about upcoming events that the Baker County Farm Bureau might get involved in each year, I decided to go to the National Arbor Day website for ideas about Georgia State Arbor Day on February 17, 2012. When I got on the website, I noticed there was a national tree giveaway contest being sponsored by the Walt Disney Movie Review Board. Having only one small school in Baker County with approximately 350 students, I decided to enter the tree giveaway contest by describing what I would like to do in honor of Arbor Day to coincide with the celebration of the Georgia State Arbor Day on 2/17/2012 within our small school, and how important it would be for our students.
Representing Farm Bureau, I wanted the Arbor Day ceremony to be about teaching the kids the importance of what the meaning of Arbor Day was, who founded it and why. How replanting trees for beautification, as well as, fighting global warming, facts on the impact forestry has on Georgia's economy, tying it in with how important agriculture is especially in our rural farming community, and I also wanted to invite Smokey the Bear the mascot for the Georgia Forestry Service to be present on that day.
WE WON !!! I received an e-mail from the Arbor Foundation on January 23, 2012, stating that Disney, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, had chosen our organization to receive 50 free seedling trees through the Disney Donate a Tree Seedling to Schools tree giveaway. Talk about being excited...
After sharing the good news with the principal of the Baker County School, Dr. Choates, we felt that we should make the presentation a fun day and include all the teachers and students.
The presentation was a huge success. Chris Cross with the Georgia Forestry Commission spoke to the children about the type of trees we had received ( 50 Long Leaf Pines) and their characteristics, Dr. Mehat (science teacher) talked about global warming and I gave them facts about Arbor Day, Forestry and Agriculture, and how the Farm Bureau believes that through education leaders are born. It goes without saying that Smokey the Bear stole the show....
The actual tree planting started at 1:30 pm (after lunch), each class adopted three to four trees and everyone showed up to plant them. What seemed to be mass chaos at first turned out to be so much fun, and the majority of the trees have been named and all 50 trees planted with loving hands.
I don't know how we will match this event next year, but all the kids are looking forward to it.
Sincerely, Dianne Sheffield, Baker County Farm Bureau, Newton, GA
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Satilla District FFA Forestry Field Day

The Satilla District FFA Forestry Field Day was held on March 15 at Laura S. Walker State Park. A total of 318 students attended the event. Attendees participated in various workshops, including:

reforestation timber stand improvement/thinning timber cruising for cord volume timber cruising for board foot volume tree identification

ocular estimation land measurement hand compass practicum forest management tree/forest disorders

We had nearly 400 total attendees, including students, teachers, judges and volunteers. We received gracious donations and sponsorships to fund this event, and the weather was wonderful. Altogether, it was a great day!

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Congratulations...
2011 District and County Unit Awards

2011 Outstanding District of the Year: Chattahoochee Top row (l to r): Patrick Floyd (Haralson Co), Geoff Dean (Pike Co), Jody Price (Newton Co) 2nd row (l to r): Paul McDaniel (Carroll Co), Joey Garner (Carroll Co), Ken Parker (Pike Co) 3rd row (l to r): Michael Sapp (Newton Co), Seth Holland (Carroll Co), Aaron Souto (forester), Jeff Sibley (district manager) ,
Jeff Mansour (Coweta Co), Willie Boston (assistant district manager) Bottom row (l to r): Terry Quigley (Coweta Co), Robert Farris (state forester), Representative Lynn Smith, Grace Reid (district administrative assistant), Ben Godowns (Meriwether Co), Chris Babb (Meriwether Co)

2011 Northern Unit of the Year: Coweta County (l to r): Terry Quigley (chief ranger), Robert Farris (state forester),
Representative Lynn Smith, Jeff Mansour (ranger 1)
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2011 Southern Unit of the Year: Decatur County Top row (l to r): Robert Farris (state forester), Van Smith
2nd row (l to r): Johnny Barwick, Tina Nix 3rd row (l to r): Bryan Cottles, Rodney Heard

Benefits Corner
Georgia Department of Community Health
Keeping My 2012 Wellness Promise
Deadline is June 30, 2012
Have you and your covered spouse completed your online health assessment through Cigna (www.mycigna.com) or UnitedHealthcare (www.myuhc.com) yet? Remember you must complete this assessment by June 30, 2012. Have you and your covered spouse completed your biometric screening? Remember, you must have this completed screening form faxed from your physician to your SHBP administrator (Cigna or UnitedHealthcare) by June 30, 2012.
The State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) is sponsoring biometric screenings around the state but we are not able to provide enough screenings to allow every covered SHBP member and spouse to have their screenings scheduled at these sites. So, we encourage you to:
Schedule a Visit with Your Physician Now.
Screenings may be obtained as part of your annual physical. Download the "physician screening form" available at www.myshbp.ga.gov, www.mycigna.com or www.myuhc.com and take the form to your physician. Your biometric screening does not count towards earning the $100 in HRA credits. Have your physician complete the form and fax securely to your SHBP administrator, Cigna or UnitedHealthcare no later than June 30, 2012.
Wellness on My Mind - 2012
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PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Hires

Adams,Debra Y.

Support Services Worker

Central Office Protection

Allen III,Franklin Marion

Ranger (EL)

Camden Co.

Brown, Richie S.

Supplemental Firefighter

Lumpkin Co.

Campbell, George A.

TDL Forester

Flint Management Foresters

Cowart, Bridget D.

Support Services Worker

Satilla District Office

Cox, Kenneth

Supplemental Firefighter

Clinch Co.

Ellis, Jessica L.

Financial Services Worker

Central Office Protection

Evans, Charles S.TDL RangerDodge Co.

Forehand, Jeremy D.

Supplemental Firefighter

Bleckley-Pulaski Co.

Gaiser, Richard FrankTDL RangerBurke Co.

Goddard, Matthew L.TDL RangerMeriwether Co.

Gomez Borja, Nemesio

Labor Trades Worker

Flint River Nursery

Hans, Charles Edward

Supplemental Firefighter

Coosa District Office

Henderson, Larry Eugene

TDL Ranger

Calhoun-Clay-Early Co.

Holt, Hayden Seth

Ranger (EL)

Miller-Seminole Co.

Jones,III, Bobby L.

TDL Ranger

Burke Co.

Mameli, Tyler L.TDL RangerClayton-Lamar-Pike-Spalding-UpsonCo.

McLendon, Charles E.

Supplemental Firefighter

Montgomery-Toombs Co.

Merritt, Ricky J.

Ranger (EL)

Liberty-Long-S. Bryan Co.

Moody, Kenneth E.

Supplemental Firefighter

Liberty-Long-S. Bryan Co.

Morgan, Wade Reggie

Natural Resources Pgm Worker

Forest Health

Mullis, Chris

Ranger (EL)

Twiggs-Wilkinson-Bibb Co.

Phillips, KerryTDL RangerDade Co.

Russ, James D.

Supplemental Firefighter

Echols-Lanier-Lowndes Co.

Smith, Brian C.

Support Services Worker

Macon Response Center

Smith, Gary A.

Supplemental Firefighter

Bacon Co.

Smith, Simeon Austin

Forester (EL)

Dixon State Forest

Tanner,II, Michael F.

Support Services Worker

Satilla District Office

Tennant, Carsyn H.

TDL Forester

Flint Management Foresters

Thompson, Christopher F

Forester (EL)

Oconee Management Foresters

Varnadoe, Alan R.

Supplemental Firefighter

Worth Co.

Weatherford, Adam S.

TDL Ranger

McDuffie-Warren Co.

Weaver, Kenneth L.

Ranger (EL)

Brooks-Cook Co.

Young,Jr., Billy E.

Supplemental Firefighter

Echols-Lanier-Lowndes Co.

Promotions Gillis, Jason Paul Goss, Joseph E Howell, Christopher A Hughes, Jeremy E. Moncrief, Annie M Rex, Jason W Richards, Stephen P Sorrells, James Franklin Sosebee,Timothy P

District Manager Ranger (WL) Forester FIA (WL) Forester TDL Administrative Asst. Ranger (WL) Ranger (WL) Protection Chief Ranger (WL)
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Satilla District Office Bleckley-Pulaski Co. Forest Survey Forest Health Central Office Management Grady-Thomas Co. Gilmer-Pickens Co. Central Office Protection Paulding Co.
(continued on next page)

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retirements

Adams, Bonny Jones

Administrative Asst.

Central Office Management

Baird Jr, Clem C.

Ranger

Baker-Mitchell Co.

Butts, Robert Terrell

Forestry-Nursery Tech

Seed Orchard Arrowhead

Davis, Royce ARangerMiller-Seminole Co.

Dozier, Mark A.

Protection Chief

Central Office Protection

Harris, Mary L.

Payroll Technician

Central Office Administration

Knowles Jr, Floyd

Ranger

Telfair Co.

Moore, TimothyRangerWilcox Co.

Scott, Sonia Brooks

Purch & Proc Spec

Central Office Administration

Sellers, Denny VRangerColquitt Co.

New Additions to the GFC Family

Januray 9, 2012 Kendall Marie Granbery
6 lbs. 13 oz. Susan & Frank Granberry, Atlanta

March 12, 2012 Maggie Mae Little
7 lbs. 9 oz. Sam & Amy Little, Telfair County

March 28, 2012 Abigail Brook Goss
8lbs. 6 oz. Joey Goss, Bleckley County

March 29, 2012 Liam Howlett Gamlen
8 lbs. 1 oz. Andy & Candace Gamlen, Walker County

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