Communities choose to become Firewise for many reasons, and every community benefits from the process and recognition in different ways.  Some of the top reported benefits of the Firewise Communities/USA recognition program are:

• Framework for Action. Meeting the criteria for becoming a Firewise Communities/USA site helps communities get organized and find direction for their wildfire safety efforts.
• Learning About Wildfire. As people go through the Firewise process, they learn about wildfire risks in the community and the simple things they can do to reduce them.
• Peace of Mind. Working together as a community to take steps to reduce the risk of damage from fire, helps people start to feel safer in their environment and in their homes.
• Community-Building. Firewise activities rally people around a common cause for the good of the neighborhood, forming community ties that are especially helpful during emergency situations.
• Access to Funding and Assistance. Preference is sometimes given to Firewise Communities/USA communities over other applicants to grant money allocated for wildfire safety or fuel mitigation.

Becoming a Firewise Community can easily be accomplished in any neighborhood, subdivision, or small town.

The basic requirements are to:

• Work with a local wildland urban interface specialist to complete a community assessment and develop a plan that identifies wildland fire safety projects to be implemented by the community.
• Organize a local board or committee that leads and implements the Firewise Community/USA program and tracks its progress or status.
• Plan and hold a Firewise Communities/USA Day each year that is dedicated to a local Firewise project.
• Invest a minimum of $2.00 per capita annually in local Firewise projects. Time and materials provided by volunteers and/or local fire staff can be included.
• Submit an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA that documents continuing compliance with the program.

Eight simple steps...

Becoming a Firewise Community begins with you. It will require some time and coordination, but little else to get the process started. You can follow these steps to become a Firewise Community:

1. Contact Tyre Holfeltz, tholfeltz@idl.idaho.gov, Idaho Department of Lands, who is your current Idaho Firewise Communities/USA representative.
2. Organize a site visit with your Firewise Communities/USA representative and local fire officials so that a risk assessment of the community can be conducted, and wildland fire safety issues identified.
3. Recruit community members for a Firewise board or committee. This group will organize and manage Firewise community projects and activities.
4. Hold a meeting of the board/committee and have the Firewise Communities/USA representative present the community assessment.
5. Develop a community action plan. Based on the assessment results, the Firewise board or committee will develop a community action plan to address the wildfire threats in the community. The plan must be approved by the Firewise Communities/USA representative.
6. Work with the community to implement the action plan. The first action item can be used for the community’s first Firewise Day.
7. Complete and submit the Firewise Communities/USA application to your local representative.
8. Once you have been recognized as a Firewise Community, renew your status annually using the renewal form.