The National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA® program teaches communities how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action to prevent losses.
The California Department of Insurance has issued rules that require insurers to offer discounts to property owners for reducing wildfire risk. If you reside in a WUI community and are Firewise USA® recognized then you may be eligible for a discount through your insurance company. For a list of insurers currently offering discounts, click here.
SCCFSC offers workshops and guidance for neighborhoods and communities that want to become Firewise USA® recognized.
The 6 Steps for Becoming Recognized as a Firewise USA® Community
- Form a board/committee comprised of residents and other wildfire stakeholders
- Obtain a wildfire risk assessment from the Fire Department
- Host a minimum of one wildfire risk reduction educational outreach event, or related activity
- Develop a multi-year action plan based on the site’s risk reduction priorities
- Meet the minimum wildfire risk reduction investment
- Create a Firewise USA® Portal account and submit an application to your state Firewise USA liaison
SCCFSC is here to help!
We are your local partner to Firewise USA® recognition.
- SCCFSC coaches your committee and organizers through the Firewise USA® steps and application
- SCCFSC networks with fire agency partners to obtain your community risk assessment
- SCCFSC offers workshop and presentation options to meet the Firewise USA® education outreach requirements
- SCCFSC offers a FREE yearly Chipping Program which fulfills the initial home investment requirement
- SCCFSC provides hazardous fuel reduction resources for your neighborhood’s multi-year plan
We also offer two Firewise Workshops
Why Go Firewise? Workshop
This 30-45 minute presentation is intended for a neighborhood group that would like to know more about the Firewise USA® Risk Reduction program. Lead by a speaker from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, the presentation includes a PowerPoint slideshow which is followed by a Q & A. Discussion centers around the benefits and requirements needed to become a recognized, certified Firewise USA® community. Ideal group size is 20-60 neighborhood residents.
Why Go Firewise Presentation Request form
Firewise Leadership Committee Presentation
Lead by a speaker from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, this is an in-depth Firewise presentation for 4-6 neighborhood residents who want to lead the Firewise effort in their community. The presentation includes brainstorming, planning and goal-setting strategies for your committee to facilitate your neighborhood in becoming Firewise-certified.
Firewise Committee Presentation Request form
Firewise USA® provides guidelines for neighbors to work together to achieve greater wildfire safety. SCCFSC works with your neighborhood to achieve Firewise USA® recognition.
Local Firewise USA® recognized communities
- Aldercroft Heights (Los Gatos)
- Chemeketa Park (Los Gatos)
- Ellen Roads (Los Gatos)
- Garrod Heights (Saratoga)
- Holiday Lake Estates (Morgan Hill)
- Jackson Oaks Association (Morgan Hill)
- Las Cumbres (Los Gatos)
- Lake Canyon (Los Gatos)
- Marty Road (Los Gatos)
- Old Oak Way (Saratoga)
- Redwood Estates (Los Gatos) Inactive
- Riva Ridge (Los Gatos)
- Saddle Mountain Neighborhood (Los Altos Hills)
- Sunset Ridge Road (Los Gatos)
- Terrace Grove (Los Gatos)
Visit our local Firewise Communities on Facebook!
Request a “Why Go Firewise?” presentation to learn how your neighborhood can become Firewise, too
This 30-45 minute presentation is intended for a neighborhood group that would like to know more about the Firewise USA® Risk Reduction program. Lead by a speaker from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, the presentation includes a PowerPoint slideshow which is followed by a Q & A. Discussion centers around the benefits and requirements needed to become a recognized, certified Firewise USA® community. Ideal group size is 20-60 neighborhood residents.