Emergency Preparedness
Resources to help you prepare your family, home, and community from wildfires and other disasters.
If you have questions pertaining to wildfire or emergency preparedness or need assistance with creating defensible space please contact us using the form below.
Firewise USA
The Sierra Resource Conservation District invited the Creek Fire Recovery Collaborative to assist with introducing Highway 168 communities to the Firewise USA Program. This program is 100% voluntary and community-led.
The national Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise® Site and will qualify for up to a 10% discount on their homeowner's insurance.
Why should my community become Firewise?
There are many positive benefits from joining the Firewise Program including strengthening communities, decreasing community wildfire risks, and homeowners insurance discounts.
Framework for Collective Action
The Firewise USA Program provides homeowners and communities with guidelines and criteria on how to develop a Firewise Community. Meeting the criteria for becoming a Firewise Community helps homeowners get organized and find direction for their wildfire safety efforts.
Community Building
As neighbors go through the Firewise process, they have the opportunity to get to know their neighbors better, often meeting one another for the first time, and building a stronger community bond. Firewise activity can help rally people to a common cause for the good of the community. This strengthening of community ties can benefit residents in many ways and is especially helpful during an emergency.
Access to Funding and Assistance
Preference may be given to Firewise Communities over other candidates for wildfire safety or fuels reduction grants.
Insurance Discounts
Allstate, the California Fair Plan, State Farm, USAA, and other insurance companies are now providing discounts (up to 10%) for policyholders who live in Firewise Communities in California.
How to become a FireWise Community?
If you are interested in starting a Firewise Community, we are here to help.
Organize It
If you are interested in preparing your community for a wildfire consider joining CFRC's Community Advocacy Council where you can learn more about the Firewise USA Program and begin advocating for your neighbors and community!
Plan It
Work with the Community Advocacy Council to recruit at least eight full time members to up to 2,500 homeowners from your community and form a Firewise committee.
Do It
Work with Sierra RCD to complete a FREE community wildfire risk assessment, develop a community action plan to reduce wildfire risks, and host at least one community workday.
Apply!
Apply for recognition with technical support from Sierra RCD.
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Below is a list of trusted sources and resources on a variety of emergency and wildfire preparedness topics including defensible space, Go-Bags, evacuation routes, and emergency notification systems.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding wildfire or emergency preparedness or need assistance creating a defensible space please contact us using this form.