New FireSafe Councils in Santa Clara County

The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCFSC) is joining forces with concerned community members and organizations to coordinate local FireSafe councils to help protect homes, communities and the environment from wildfires.

Organizing a new FireSafe Council is an important cause and a rewarding experience. Your time and dedication can help bring more federal funding to Santa Clara County for much needed wildfire prevention projects such as chipping and outreach and education. Starting a FireSafe Council in your area does require a commitment of effort and time. To help new councils get started, SCFSC will provide support to assist your group take the lead in creating this valuable community resource.

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Support / Coordination:

1. Provide education materials for meetings and community events, including wildfire prevention for children and seniors and creating Defensible Space around your home.
2. Help organize your council and community events and, if funds are available, provide a part-time contract coordinator for your area.
3. Provide speakers for your meetings.
4. Fund chipping programs or other projects in your community (if funds are available for this purpose).
5. Provide one or more Web pages on our Web site for your council.
6. Accept tax-deductible donations on your behalf and disburse the funds as needed.
7. Act as your fiscal sponsor for federal grant applications for your programs and projects so you can apply for federal grants without becoming a separate non-profit organization.
8. Help raise funds from local organizations and companies for your programs and projects and provide assistance and examples of federal grant applications for your programs and projects.
9. Provide initial bookkeeping and accounting support.
10. Help you incorporate and register as a separate non-profit organization if needed.

Community Group Role/Responsibilities:

1. Engage friends and neighbors who share your interest in preventing wildfires to become involved in the council.
2. Send one or more representatives to our monthly meetings and report on your plans and progress.
3. With our guidance, lead the effort to organize your own wildfire prevention events and projects.
4. Write grant applications and funding requests for projects in your community.
5. Keep attendance lists and summaries of your meetings.
6. Provide information needed for grant reports.
7. Once you receive funding, begin to pay your own expenses and SCFSC expenses for your group and manage your own bookkeeping and accounting.
8. Follow the SCFSC ByLaws and Policies and Procedures and the California Fire Safe Council guidelines and requirements.

Next Steps:

• To get started, contact our Executive Director.
• Talk with your friends and neighbors to find others who share your interest in preventing wildfires and protecting your community.