Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities
NEW – FIREFIGHTER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
About the Training:
IBHS is partnering with the Colorado State Fire Chiefs and the Ready, Set, Go! Program to continue its commitment to help Colorado Rebuild Fire Adaptive Communities, a successful 2012 initiative in response to devastating wildfires in Colorado Springs. On Feb. 22, IBHS Wildfire Expert Dr. Steve Quarles will conduct a firefighter train-the-trainer workshop at South Metro Fire Rescue Authority in Centennial, Colorado. The training will focus on protecting the structural elements of a house and its surroundings against wildfire. RSVP today to rsg@iafc.org. Space is limited for this unique training opportunity.
Firefighters nationwide are being increasingly relied upon to assess homes in wildfire-prone areas as part of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Ready, Set, Go! Program. The training will be videotaped by the USDA Forest Service and made available to Ready, Set, Go! Fire Departments in all states.
IBHS Wildfire Downloads
IBHS Guide to Creating a Fire Adapted Home
IBHS Ember Storm Testing
IBHS Research Center: Wildfire Test Highlights
Additional IBHS Wildfire Publications
IBHS Wildfire Brochures & Colorado Rebuilds Partner Materials
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Insurance
Colorado State Forest Service
Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Fire Adapted Communities:
There are a variety of resources you can utilize to help promote the Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) campaign in your area. Check out the Fire Adapted Communities Toolkit, which includes information about how to contact your local media and social media tips and tactics for maximizing your outreach to residents.
Firewise Communities Program:
The Firewise Toolkit is a collection of helpful resources including Firewise principles, the tips and tools homeowners can use based on these principles, the Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program process checklist and more. The entire toolkit or its pieces can be downloaded and printed for meetings, presentations and for individual use.
NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division produces Fire Break, a monthly electronic newsletter that includes event information, industry news, FAC updates and activities as well as Firewise news and announcements. Sign up to receive your monthly newsletter today!
The Firewise Communities Program offers a number of brochures and booklets on a variety of wildfire safety topics including landscaping and construction, defensible space, wildland/urban interface fire hazards and more.
The Firewise Communities Program includes interactive modules that come in a variety of easy-to-use formats, and are a great way to learn about Firewise tips and principles. The hands-on modules, games and quizzes are designed to help you learn how wildfire behaves and what you can do to make your home safer.
The majority of Firewise products are provided free of charge and are co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters. Check out the Firewise Communities Program catalog for brochures, DVDs, bookmarks, stickers, posters and other materials that promote wildfire safety. You can also support the wildfire safety message through Firewise Outfitters that includes hats, t-shirts and banners all for a modest price.
NFPA Journal – Moving Toward a Fire Adapted Community
Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association
Colorado Wildfire Insurance Guide
Photos
(View additional photos at IBHS’ Facebook Page)
News Conference Photos: A press event was held at the Capitol to kickoff the initiative on Sept. 13, 2012.
Smokey Bear joined the Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Coalition to kickoff the initiative in Denver.
Interim Colorado State Forester Joe Duda (right) kicked off the news conference and was joined by Insurance Commissioner Jim Riesberg (far left), Fire Adapted Communities Program Manager Molly Mowery (left), Colorado Springs Fire Marshal Brett Lacey (center) and Colorado State Fire Chiefs President Chief Steve Pischke (right).
Workshop Photos: Three one-hour workshops featuring displays of roof, wall, window, siding and decking materials were held at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores in Fort Collins, Littleton and Colorado Springs from Sept. 15-22, 2012.
IBHS Senior Scientist Dr. Steve Quarles (right) explains the importance of having a Class A fire-rated roof and what materials qualify, as Firewise Advisor Keith Worley (left) looks on.
Firewise Advisor Keith Worley explains the best choices for plants and mulch for homes in wildfire-prone areas.
- U.S. Senator Mark Udall (right) helped kick off the workshops with IBHS Public Affairs Director Candace Iskowitz (left) at Lowe’s in Fort Collins.
Residents in Colorado Springs listen to how they can reduce their wildfire risks.
COLORADO REBUILDS FIRE ADAPTED COMMUNITIES is made possible by these partners:
Media Coverage
Television
Programs Planned to Help You Protect Your Home from Wildfire FOX 31, Denver
Rebuilding In Wildfire Areas Takes Planning CBS 4, Denver
Programs Planned to Help You Protect Your Home from Wildfire KWGN (Colorado’s CW 2), Denver
Smokey Bear Helps Launch Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities During “Wildfire Preparedness Week” KMGH (ABC), Denver
Radio
KCOL 600 FOX News Radio, Loveland, CO
KOA 850 News Radio, Denver
Wildfire Preparedness Workshops to be Held at Lowe’s in Fort Collins, KRFC 88.9, Fort Collins Public Radio, Fort Collins, CO
Fire Adapted Communities, Colorado Public Radio, Centennial, CO
Newspapers & Other Print Media
Waldo Canyon Fire: Homeowners Battle Wildfire Threat, Colorado Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO
On the Agenda: Fire Adapted Communities Coalition, Lowe’s Home Improvement Community Workshop, The Coloradoan, Fort Collins, CO
Smokey Bear Helps Launch Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities During Wildfire Preparedness Week, Fire Engineering
Online
Smokey Bear Helps Launch Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities During “Wildfire Preparedness Week”, Yahoo! News
Other Organizations
- Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Workshop
Colorado Springs Together
- Are You Wildfire Ready? Join the Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Initiative
Larkspur Fire Department Mitigation News
- Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Workshops with OEM Staff: September 22
Colorado Office of Emergency Management
- Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Announces Wildfire Preparedness Week
PCIAA
- Colorado rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities with September workshops
Fire Adapted Communities
- Firewise Construction discussion
Northern Colorado Rebuilding Network
- Free Wildfire Workshops
Madison Insurance Group
