Fire Safe Council of San Diego County

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) corporation. It operates as a collaborative effort with the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, focusing on increasing fire safety awareness and preparedness, managing fire hazards, supporting forest health, and enhancing resilience against wildfires in San Diego County.

Mission

The council's mission is to protect residents and their homes from wildfires by fostering fire prevention and safety throughout the county. This is accomplished through community involvement and educational programs.

Structure and Activities

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County supports and oversees more than 40 community-based Fire Safe Councils in the county. These councils are unique in that their volunteers are well-versed in the specific geography and fire safety concerns of their neighborhoods.

Key activities include:

• Neighborhood Education: Providing guidance on evacuation preparedness, property cleanup, home fire prevention, and home hardening techniques.
• Defensible Space Creation: Performing brush clearance and chipping to create defensible spaces around homes and on private property, particularly for those who cannot do it themselves, such as seniors and low-income individuals.
• Community Programs: Offering programs like home assessments and chipping programs to improve wildfire resilience.

Community Engagement

The council encourages community involvement through various initiatives, including:

• Facilitating bi-monthly meetings for local councils.
• Supporting the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).
• Hosting fire safety workshops and town hall meetings.

Programs and Services

Starting from 2024, the council has introduced new initiatives aimed at assisting homeowners in understanding defensible space and home hardening principles. These include a pilot Home Assessment Program that evaluates homes' vulnerability to wildfires and provides recommendations for improvement.

Volunteer Recognition

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County also celebrates the dedication and efforts of volunteers through annual awards ceremonies.

Relationship with Local Authorities

The council collaborates with local fire agencies, government bodies, and other organizations to ensure a cohesive approach to fire safety and prevention in San Diego County.

[1] https://sdfirefoundation.org/fire-safe-councils/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_safe_councils [3] https://www.rcdsandiego.org/wildfire-resilience [4] https://firesafesdcounty.org [5] https://www.universitycitynews.org/fire-safe-council-university-city/