Become a Firewise USA Site

Firewise USA is program recognizing communities or neighborhoods that demonstrate the spirit, resolve and willingness to take responsibility as a partner in wildfire protection. Firewise USA is a way to help prevent and reduce losses to wildland/urban interface fire and foster community participation in applying Firewise principles. The program is administered in Florida by the Florida Forest Service. To become a Firewise USA site, a community or neighborhood must first recognize that they have a problem. 

Subsequent steps include establishing a working group or committee of homeowners to motivate neighbors, find resources and contact local fire prevention experts.

To become a Firewise USA site, communities (subdivisions and neighborhoods) must satisfy the following requirements:

• Enlist a wildland/urban interface specialist to complete a wildfire hazard assessment.
• Use the assessment to create a plan that identifies locally agreed-upon solutions that the community can implement.
• Sponsor a local Firewise task force, committee, commission or department that maintains the Firewise USA program and tracks its progress or status.
• Observe a Firewise USA Day each spring dedicated to a local Firewise project.
• Invest a minimum of $2 per capita annually in local Firewise USA efforts. (Work by municipal employees or volunteers using municipal and other equipment can be included, as can state or federal grants dedicated to that purpose.)
• Submit an annual report to Firewise USA, documenting continuing compliance with the program.