Fire Wise Community Certification Program for the Lake Arrowhead Communities
An Executive Summary
Bernhard O. Voelkelt - December 2011
The Fire Wise Community certification program is offered by the Fire Wise organization (www.firewise.org) in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org). The certification process follows strict and nationally recognized criteria that lead to a community being admitted into the national Fire Wise Community register.
The value of being a recognized Fire Wise Community is essentially threefold.
- Promotes confidence and pride among residents about their community being proactive and constructive about wildfire challenges.
- Promotes confidence among investors that their investments in business and real estate are protected under top fire science based risk mitigation standards.
- Places a community in a strong negotiation position to secure outside sources for funding of wildfire risk mitigation programs and projects.
During the past decade we have enjoyed hundreds of million dollars in funds from the federal government to help reduce risk and impact of wildfires on our communities. In anticipation of federal funding for this type of fire prevention and risk mitigation projects coming to a close after 2012, I see it necessary to prepare our communities for the challenge of being able to continue this important and valuable work. Being certified by Fire Wise will help meet that challenge.
The fire prevention work performed by the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire (Forest Care), County Fire and the Arrowhead Communities Fire Safe Council during the past decade has placed the Arrowhead communities in a strong position to meet the Fire Wise criteria with little effort. However, a few additional requirements must be met and wide based community support is needed to meet certification requirements.
The cost factor is minimal as most expenses are paid for by the program.
The time required to become a certified Fire Wise community is about six months.
B.O.R. Consulting is already in communication with the Fire Wise organization on the regional and national level and prepared to guide the Arrowhead communities to successful certification.
More details about this exciting program will be available at an upcoming event by your organization or by contacting me directly.