Choosing the Right Wildfire Resilience Program: Fire Safe Councils, FIREWISE USA®, & Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network®
| Program | California Fire Safe Councils © (FSC) | FIREWISE USA™ | Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network © (FAC Net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | State Initiative | Federal Initiative | Federal Framework |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free |
| Who Can Join? | Residents, homeowners, HOA members, businesses, emergency personnel, etc. | Residents, homeowners, HOA members, businesses, emergency personnel, etc. | Residents, homeowners, HOA members, businesses, emergency personnel, etc. |
| Focus Area | Homes, communities and landscape level acreage | Homes and community level scale | Primarily open spaces/communities |
| Assists With | Acquiring grant funding. 5-year Risk Assessment. Agency partnering. Community engagement and volunteer recruitment. | Acquiring grant funding. 5-year Risk Assessment. 3-year action plans. Community engagement and volunteer recruitment. | Agency partnership. Broad landscape/WUI stewardship. Community engagement and collaboration. |
| Benefits | Supports protection of life, home and property. Recognized at the state level. | Supports protection of life, home and property. Provides data for action plans. Potential insurance cost reduction. | Opportunities to connect with other communities with the same goals. Access to extensive training resources via the <a href="https://firenetworks.org/fln/"> Fire Learning Network </a> |
| Setup/Joining Requirements | Board formation. Nonprofit establishment recommended. Wildfire Risk Assessment (usually completed by third party). Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). | Board/committee formation. 2500 dwelling max. Community Risk Assessment (through HOA usually completed by local Fire Department). 3-year Action Plan. | Open membership for those working on wildfire resilience at the community scale. |
| Local Efforts | <a href="https://mantonfiresafecouncil.org/"> Manton FSC </a> | Mineral and Lake California | RCDTC |
| More Info | <a href=" https://cafiresafecouncil.org/resources/map-of-fire-safe-councils/ "> Find a CFSC </a> | <a href="https://www.nfpa.org/Education-and-Research/Wildfire/Firewise-USA#firewise-usa-sites"> FIREWISE USA ™</a> | <a href="https://fireadaptednetwork.org/"> Fire Adapted Learning Network </a> |
