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Firewise Communities/USA
Firewise Communities/USA is program which recognizes communities
or neighborhoods that demonstrate the spirit, resolve and
willingness to take responsibility as a partner in wildfire
protection. Firewise Communities/USA is a way to help prevent
and reduce losses to wildland/urban interface fire and foster
community participation in applying Firewise principles.
The program is administered in Florida by the Division of
Forestry. In order to become a Firewise Community/USA, a
community or neighborhood must first recognize that they
have a problem.
Subsequent steps include establishing a working group or
committee of homeowners to motivate neighbors, find resources
and contact local fire prevention experts. Communities (subdivision
and neighborhoods) must satisfy the below requirements in
order to become a Firewise Community/USA:
• Enlist a wildland/urban interface specialist to complete
a wildfire hazard assessment.
• Use the assessment
to create a plan that identifies locally agreed-upon solutions
that the community can implement.
• Sponsor
a local Firewise task force, committee, commission or department
that maintains the Firewise Community program and tracks
its progress or status.
• Observe a Firewise
Communities/USA Day each spring dedicated to a local Firewise
project.
• Invest a minimum of $2.00 per capita
annually in local Firewise Communities/USA efforts. (Work
by municipal employees or volunteers using municipal and
other equipment can be included, as can state or federal
grants dedicated to that purpose.)
• Submit
an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA, documenting
continuing compliance with the program.
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