VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Peter Brierty, fire marshal for San Bernardino County in California, has been named the recipient of the 2005 National Forestry Heroism Award presented by STIHL. Brierty has contributed countless hours of his personal time, in addition to his official duties, to preserve and protect the lives of hundreds of thousands of San Bernardino residents and tourists through large-scale fire prevention efforts. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051001/DCSA002 )
For decades, San Bernardino County, a vast area wedged between Los Angeles and Nevada, has been at risk to catastrophic blazes because of overstocked forest conditions, bark beetle infestation and drought—all of which provide fuel for potentially catastrophic forest fires. Facing what he described as “the greatest predictable disaster in the state,” Brierty spearheaded efforts to raise awareness of wildfire dangers and spur public municipalities, government agencies, community organizations and private homeowners to support forest management through fuel reduction efforts. He also collaborated with local agencies to prepare the community for evacuations in the event of disaster.
When the “Old Fire” devastated the area in late 2003, as many as 70,000 residents evacuated the region swiftly and safely due to prior preparation, education and understanding, provided through the guidance of Brierty. Not one life was lost in the fire, even though 350 structures and more than 800,000 acres were ravaged by the blaze.
Brierty continues to devote hundreds of personal hours to the mountain communities. He remains undaunted, working to aid communities with more than 100 years of unmanaged forest fuel growth. His contributions to public education, hands-on involvement with local issues, and unswerving commitment to solutions is a credit to his personal values, his commitment to the community and to his profession.
“My job is to protect and save lives. Together we’re improving the quality of life in San Bernardino County through fire prevention efforts while creating healthy forests,” said Brierty. “I am deeply humbled to be honored as a STIHL National Forestry Hero.”
Anita Gambill, representative for STIHL Incorporated, presented the National Forestry Heroism Award to Brierty at a ceremony on Oct. 1, 2005 in Brevard, N.C., at the Cradle of Forestry a 6,500 acre historic site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States.
“Peter Brierty has worked diligently to reduce fire risk to residents of the drought- and fire-prone region of San Bernardino,” Gambill said. “His relentless pursuit of fuel reduction, forest management, and public safety is an inspiration, and we at STIHL Inc. are proud to recognize him as a Forestry Hero.”
Brierty received the STIHL National Forestry Heroism Award plaque and a monetary gift, which he has requested be donated to the following: Firefighter’s Quest for Burn Survivors, Mountain Hearts and Lives, Candle Lighters, City of Gulfport, and Highland Senior Center. In conjunction with the award, STIHL Inc. is also making a contribution to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in Boise, ID.
About the National Forestry Heroism Award
Nine years ago, STIHL created the National Forestry Heroism Award, giving special recognition each year to one extraordinary individual who works with, in, or devotes a significant portion of his or her time to the forestry industry. The award was inspired by the fire on Storm King Mountain in Colorado, which took the lives of 14 wildland firefighters in June 1994. Nominations are open to firefighters, loggers, forest and park rangers, and other individuals employed in the care and maintenance of our nation’s forests. Candidates are judged on such criteria as the impact of their action for the good of society and the forestry industry, as well as how memorable the candidate’s action was.
About the Wildland Firefighters Monument
The Wildland Firefighters Monument, which honors all past, present and future wildland firefighters, was dedicated at Ochocco Park in Prineville, Oregon on June 15, 1996. It is the first such monument in the United States. The monument was inspired by the tragedies of the 1994 fire season, in which 14 wildland firefighters died protecting lives, property and natural resources. The Prineville Hotshots Parents Committee (parents of the nine Prineville Hotshots who died on Storm King Mountain in Colorado on July 6, 1994) are responsible for the creation of the monument.
STIHL is a corporate benefactor of the Wildland Firefighters Monument. The bronze memorial, which portrays firefighters in the clothing, tools, and equipment used in the 1994 fire season, is one and one-quarter life size and is set on a 3-foot stone base. Cast by sculptor, David Nelson of Glenwood, Colorado, it is 14 feet long, 8 feet wide and 11 feet high. (A tabletop replica is displayed at each National Forestry Hero award presentation.)
About STIHL
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast -- not home centers or mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit STIHL's Web site at http://www.stihlusa.com/.
STIHL Incorporated is the official underwriting sponsor of the STIHL(R) TIMBERSPORTS(R) Series. The series airs throughout the year on the ESPN and ESPN2 cable networks and the STIHL(R) TIMBERSPORTS(R) Collegiate Series airs on ESPNU.
