Firewise USA®
This is a great starting line for communities who are collectively engaged in wildfire mitigation activities, or who are just coming together. It’s a nationally recognized program developed by the National Fire Protection Association and administered by the Colorado State Forest Service here locally.
You’ve already dug in on the wildfire problem, you understand the threats and what it takes to address them, you’ve got a good group of people working to reduce vulnerability in your community. You’re ready to be recognized.
Here’s what it takes
Connect
Reach out to your regional coordinator… that’s us!
Organize
Form a Firewise board or committee. It should be primarily made up of residents, but can include members of your fire district or other professionals. During the application process (and beyond), a member of our staff can participate on the board or committee as well.
Evaluate
We’ll assist in conducting your Community Wildfire Risk Assessment, which can help inform your goals and identify areas of focus for raising awareness and targeted mitigation projects.
Aspire
Set a series of goals and create an action plan for the next three years. You’ll need a mechanism for tracking progress and cataloging hours and expenses. We’ve got a tool to use.
At this point, you’re ready to submit your application for Firewise USA® recognition. More information can be found on the NFPA’s Firewise website. Spend some time looking over the requirements and reach out to us if you’d like to learn more… we’re here to help!
