Firewise Communities Program
The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Firewise Communities program develops local solutions for planning, prevention and wildfire safety. A wealth of resources including downloadable brochures and fact sheets are available, along with interactive modules, demonstration videos and blogs. There are sections for homeowners, communities, firefighters, developers and the media.
Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)
FEMA’s multilayered and complex website is the place to go if you are applying for federal disaster aid or looking for your state’s Emergency Management Agency. For wildfire specific information, www.usfa.fema.gov has information that’s easier to find.
Ready
1-800-BE-Ready
Ready was launched in 2003 to educate and empower people to prepare for and deal with emergencies and disasters. Their website covers a wide range of disasters; search under Wildfire for wildfire mitigation, family disaster planning and preparedness, and recovery guides. Special materials available for children and pets.
U.S. Fire Administration
Wildfire Preparedness is on the home page; many topics from fire prevention to firefighter safety are covered in the Fire Services section. If you search under Publications, then look under Wildfire you will find many free PDF and print publications.
Ready, Set, Go! (RSG)
A program launched in 2011 by the International Association of Fire Chiefs to help fire departments teach people who live in high risk wildfire areas and the WUI how to prepare themselves and their property. Find state programs and a wide variety of educational information and materials on the website.
American Red Cross
Often first on the scene of disasters, the Red Cross plays a major role in setting up and supplying evacuation centers. They also offer preparedness and long-term recovery information and assistance. Local Red Cross offices are linked from the home page. Also check www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/wildfire for their Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery.
DisasterSafety.org
As part of its overall mission of reducing property losses, this website was created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) for homeowners and business owners. It is packed with useful information, including a home assessment checklist, regional guides to protecting your property, risk assessments and much more.
State and Local Resources
To find info on fire conditions and behavior, specific prevention tactics, vegetation, regulations and building codes for your area, visit your state and county governments’ websites. If you can’t figure out where to go, try searching the topic (i.e. “wildfire prevention”) plus your state and/or county name.