Steps from the NFPA to initiating a nationally recognized Firewise USA site:

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Firewise USA® community! We are excited to hear you're interested in taking the first steps toward making your neighborhood more wildfire resilient.

To help make the process as simple as possible, below is the recommended path to becoming a recognized Firewise USA® site:

Step 1: Register through the Firewise USA® Portal

Create an account through the NFPA Firewise USA® Portal:
https://portal.firewise.org

This will allow you to begin the registration process and create your community's profile. I always recommend creating a generic email for the account so if you ever choose to transfer the lead role or move, the next person has access to the same email. An example would be "SilverDriveFirewise@Gmail.com or BrightAvenueFirewise@gmail.com" 

Step 2: Schedule a Meeting with Amador Fire

Once you've created your account, please reach out to schedule a meeting with, Kayla Dale, Amador Fire's Firewise Coordinator. During this meeting, you'll discuss the Firewise USA® program in detail, review the recognition requirements, answer any questions, and begin identifying your community boundaries and next steps. The goal is to make the process as straightforward and manageable as possible. Kayla's email is kdale@amadorcounty.gov

Step 3: Host a Community Information Meeting

After your initial meeting with Amador Fire, we encourage you to schedule a community meeting for your neighbors. Amador Fire will attend and provide the presentation, explaining the Firewise USA® program, the benefits of participation, available resources, and what the recognition process looks like. This allows residents to ask questions directly, helps build community support, and takes the burden of presenting the information off of the community lead.

Step 4: Begin Building Your Firewise Community

From there, we'll work together to:

• Develop your community boundaries.
• Complete a wildfire risk assessment.
• Create a three-year action plan.
• Form a Firewise Board or Committee.
• Track volunteer hours and mitigation projects.
• Complete and submit your Firewise USA® application.

For additional information about the Firewise USA® program, visit:
https://www.nfpa.org/firewise

As the Amador County Firewise Coordinator, Kayla is here to help every step of the way. Whether it's mapping community boundaries, completing the required documentation, presenting to your neighborhood, or answering questions, Amador Fire is committed to helping your community become successful.

Firewise Resources

Firewise_Band_Together_Toolkit.pdf