Frank Riley receives National Wildfire Prevention Award

The U.S. Forest Service – Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests announces that Frank Riley, Executive Director for the Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development Council, received a 2021 Silver Smokey Bear Award – the highest honor an individual can receive for outstanding wildfire prevention service. Riley’s innovative use of the local RC&D Council for fire prevention outreach to local communities is reshaping the identity for these organizations across the nation.  A national award, Riley was selected to receive the very coveted Smokey Bear Award this year by the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention committee made up of the U.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council. When announcing the award to Riley, the Forest Service noted that his use of Smokey Bear imaging and products for wildfire prevention, combined with his demeanor and networks across the State of Georgia, opened new doors, created trust and new partnerships. “These Smokey Bear Award winners are being honored for the dedication, innovation, and energy they bring to wildfire prevention,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Throughout the many years of these awards, it’s people like these who show up with the passion and desire to make a difference. We thank them for their outstanding work in preventing human-caused wildfires.”  Riley has worked for the Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development Council since 2012. A University of Georgia graduate, he began his career in forestry. On receiving the Smokey Bear Silver Award, Riley said, “It means a lot. It’s a recognition of my team’s work to reach people and help them live better in these rural areas.” Since 1957, the prestigious Smokey Bear Award program has recognized organizations and individuals for outstanding service in wildfire prevention at the national level (gold), multi-state level (silver), and statewide level (bronze).  Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council, the Smokey Bear Awards honor the exemplary efforts of employees, partners, and cooperators to reduce the threat of unwanted human-caused wildfires.