Olympia, WA - In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Week, May 5 – 11, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages everyone to learn their role in preparing for wildfire safety.

This year, DNR is encouraging homeowners, land managers, first responders, developers, business owners, and civic leaders to focus on “Knowing Your Role” when it comes to preparing communities for wildfire. Visit the Fire Adapted Communities website (http://fireadapted.org/) to learn more about defensible space, fire-resilient building construction, community wildfire prevention planning, the Firewise Program, (www.firewise.org) and Ready, Set, Go! (http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/).

Also, this is the first year that governors from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and California have joined together to proclaim Wildfire Awareness Week. It’s an important week to learn more about joining forces in local communities to become better prepared for wildfire safety.

If designing or updating a home’s landscape, think of ways to incorporate firebreaks (things that don’t burn) into the landscape design. Defensible space doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Some examples of firebreaks are: concrete, brick or gravel walkways, concrete flower box borders or planters, and water features, such as a pond. Even the backyard swimming pool can serve as a firebreak. Go towww.firewise.org for more specific tips on how to protect homes from wildfire.

Longview, WA - Tacoma Goodwill’s Longview Operations has announced openings in six Washington counties for their Senior Community Service Employment Program. Training and employment for low-income persons 55 years of age or older will start in June in Grays Harbor, Thurston, Cowlitz, Yakima, Klickitat and Kittitas Counties.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work based training program for older workers. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and run through Tacoma Goodwill’s job training centers, the program provides subsidized, service-based training for low-income persons 55 years or older who are unemployed and have poor employment prospects.

Participants train an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. They are placed in a wide variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including day-care centers, senior centers, schools and hospitals. The community service training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities. The program goal is to place 30% of its authorized positions into unsubsidized employment annually.

“Program participants receive assistance with developing an individual employment plan, along with community service placement and training specific to that service assignment,” said Paul Spears, SCSEP Program Manager. “They also receive additional training identified in their individual plans, and supportive services, wages, fringe benefits, annual physicals, and assistance in securing unsubsidized employment,” said Spears.

Vancouver, Washington - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be holding applicant testing for the position of Trooper on May 18, 2013. The testing will be held at the Southwest Washington WSP Headquarters located at 11018 NE 51st Street in Vancouver at 7:30 AM. Applicants with a desire to be a Washington State Trooper should come prepared to complete a physical agility test and written examination.

“There are four phases of evaluation before being hired as a state trooper. This is phase one”, said District Five recruiter Trooper Jason Cuthbert. He also said, “There is a strong need for troopers in Washington right now.”

The WSP normally accepts applications through their online website. After the application is submitted, applicants are mailed a test date and location. Trooper Cuthbert said they will be taking walk-in applicants at the May 18th testing date. There is a atch though. Applicants wishing to test on a walk-in basis need to bring a completed application with them. Completed applications will be collected from walk-in applicants before the test begins.

The morning will begin with a physical agility test. Applicants should arrive dressed in appropriate attire to complete the following:

• One minute sit-up test
• One minute push-up test
• One and one half mile run

Applicants who complete the physical agility test within the requirements will advance to a written examination after a short break. Physical requirements can be found at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/employment/trooper.htm.

For questions about becoming a Washington State Trooper or information on the testing process, contact Trooper Jason Cuthbert at 360-623-5103.

Belfair, WA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation invite the public to attend Centennial 2013 ShellFest at Belfair State Park in Mason County.

The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at Belfair State Park, 3151 N.E. State Route 300, Belfair. The day will include exhibits, food, activities and education about restoring and protecting shellfish beds in Puget Sound as part of the Governor’s Shellfish Initiative. 

Activities will include low-tide walks guided by local experts, ice tables and hands-on activities for children. Special presentations by the Skokomish Tribe include cedar bark pounding, short rope weaving demonstrations, songs and drumming and storytelling by Delbert Miller of the Skokomish Tribe. Lunch will be provided by Taylor Shellfish, featuring Chef Xinh Dwelley of Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House in Shelton. Lunch is free with a suggested donation of $5 a person or $15 a family to benefit the Washington State Parks Foundation. The Discover Pass is required in the park on event day. 

Heading into the first weekend of the 2013 Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program, early reports indicate a potential banner year for Northern Pikeminnow fishing and payouts for participating anglers.

“We expected things to start off good as the river, condition-wise, is pretty good,” said Eric Winther of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Typically, lower water years are better for us as the river is not high and muddy.”

Reports from across the lower Columbia River through the Snake River are indicating Northern Pikeminnow are striking hard and early. 
“The Dalles has been the red-hot spot for the last few years, and that was certainly the case on Wednesday – a lot of anglers, and a lot of fish,” Winther said. “And the Tri-Cities station at Columbia Point Park in 
Richland reported that they’ve had their best day in recent memory.”