Firewise Communities USA Program - Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Cash Awards

Firewise Communities USA Program - Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Cash Awards

Funder: National Fire Protection Association and State Farm Insurance (in partnership with Keep Oregon Green)

Program Status: Active as of 2016; recurrence pattern suggests annual awards

Geographic Scope: National program with Oregon focus; awards given to communities across the United States

Award Amount: $500 per project

Focus Areas:

Wildfire prevention projects

Community preparedness for wildfire

Creating defensible space around homes

Reducing wildfire risk in forested communities

Event Date: May 7 (National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day)

Eligibility

• Oregon communities at risk from wildfire
• Communities in forested areas
• Organizations and local groups willing to implement wildfire prevention projects

Program Goals

• Implement wildfire prevention projects during National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
• Create defensible space around homes (maintain landscapes 30-100 feet around homes)
• Provide safe access for firefighters
• Reduce wildfire risk and protect property and lives
• Bring communities together around wildfire preparedness

Background

The program was developed to address the fact that 751,672 Oregonians (occupying about 342,000 homes) live in forested areas and are vulnerable to wildfire. Creating defensible space has been proven to minimize wildfire risk while increasing safety of residents and firefighters.

Contact Information

Cindy Kolomechuk - National Fire Plan Coordinator, Oregon Department of Forestry
• Phone: 503-945-7444
• Email: cindy.kolomechuk@oregon.gov