Jacksonville Review – September 2023
Linda Davis, Jacksonville’s Firewise Coordinator, received the highest honor granted to a civilian by Oregon’s Office of the State Fire Marshall for her extensive volunteer work throughout Jacksonville. The Silver Sparky Award “recognizes a civilian or civilian agency for outstanding achievement in fire prevention or public safety education.”
The description of this award inspired Jacksonville Fire Chief Wayne Painter to compile Linda’s impressive list of contributions and submit her nomination. The nomination and subsequent award were unbeknownst to Linda until 3 days prior to the Silver Sparky Award ceremony on July 26.
Cooperation between Chief Painter and the Firewise volunteer team made the award an enormous and touching surprise to the very worthy recipient.
Linda was “completely shocked” by such an honor. She humbly explains that she is simply “doing what needs to be done.” Her passion for safety fuels her volunteer work as well as her long career as a Transit Safety Specialist and Security Specialist in urban rail safety for HDR, Inc.
Firewise volunteers, the fire department crew, supportive Jacksonville residents, and senator Jeff Golden gathered at the recently renovated Jacksonville Fire House as Linda received the 2023 Silver Sparky Award. Linda was thrilled to receive the honor from two prominent women: State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple and Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Claire Mc Grew.
Chief Painter’s nomination letter highlighted three areas of Linda’s many achievements. Community education was primary. “Linda has tirelessly organized community events, performed assessments on each home and provided training and support to residents to help make their homes and properties safer from fire hazards.”
Linda tripled Jacksonville Firewise neighborhoods from 8 to 35 since she became coordinator in 2020. At the time of this article, she submitted the 36th neighborhood for Firewise approval. Linda compellingly educates residents about fire safety and inspires them to take initiative and become effective Firewise leaders.
Ultimately the goal is to have every home in Jacksonville in Firewise and she is actively recruiting neighborhood leaders.
Linda’s coordination of two community-wide clean up days, with the Oregon Department of Forestry, was the second portion highlighted in the Chief’s nomination letter. “By providing a convenient and environmentally friendly way for property owners to dispose of their yard material, Linda is helping reduce the risk of fires in Jacksonville while also promoting the use of biomass as a source of energy. This event not only benefits the community but also the environment, as it helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and provides renewable energy source.”
Linda explained that providing dumpsters in Firewise neighborhoods motivates residents to proactively take responsibility for fuel reduction which creates an engaged community effort.
The final contribution noted is her design and maintenance of two Firewise gardens that “provide a visual example of how to incorporate fire-resistant landscaping into homes and properties.” Linda and her Firewise assistant Jeffrey McFarland generously provide the maintenance of this beautiful resource.
Congratulations and endless thanks to Linda Davis for tirelessly “doing what needs to be done.”