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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirewise CommunitiesC U M Nw ig N U A I T I E S i nm f rewise. orp/coinmt mi ties National Sponsors NFPAO International USDA Forest Service USDI Bureau of Inaian Affairs USDI Bureau of Land Management USDI Fish & Wildlife Service USDI National Park Service National Association of State Foresters US Fire Administration/FEMA International Association of Fire Chiefs National Emergency Management Association National Association of State Fire Marshals National Stakeholders American Forests American Institute of Architects American Planning Association American Red Cross American Society of Landscape Architects Community Associations Institute Congressional Fire Services Institute Earth Orbiting System (EOS) Project Environmental Systems Research Institute Federal Emergency Management Agency Institute for Business and Home Safety Insurance Services Office (ISO) International Association of Fire Chiefs International Association of Wildland Fire International Codes Council International Fire Marshal Association National Association of Countv Officials National Association of Home Builders Natioral Association of State Fire Marshals National Emergency Management Association Nation ! Multi Housing Council Natiorar Volunteer Fire Council Soner/ of American Foresters Space :rnaging - Studer,t Conservation Association (SCA) The Nzrure Conservancy USDA Rural Utilities & Rural Development Waste: n Fire Chiefs 'Wildia -d Firefighting Magazine ," Dear Mayor: _J This letter isn't a sales pitch. We're not asking you for anything, other than your understanding. We have a wildfire problem in this country, and we figure that if you know as much about it as you can, you'll become part of the Firewise solution. There are solutions. Many of them are simple. The Federal Register lists 11,376 American communities as being "at risk" from wildfire. Is your community on that list? We hope not, but the truth is we are ALL AT RISK from wildfire, because we live on a fire planet, the only one in our solar system with all the necessary ingredients for combustion. We have material to bum-fuel-in the form of carbon matter, such as plants, trees, houses, fences. We have oxygen in the air that we breathe, and we have two ignition sources: lightning strikes and the activities of humans, e.g., kids playing with matches, or a campfire left unattended. Evidence of this fire triangle exists all across the globe. Fire ecologists say practically every inch of North America has burned at one time or another. How about the land around your town? The organizers and supporters of the national Firewise Communities Project recognize that Earth has a long history with wildland fire. We understand that it has a natural role to play on the landscape, but we also know that wildfire doesn't have to burn homes and structures as often as it does. Consequently, we're committed to helping you and your community provide neighborhoods-homes and businesses-that can resist destruction by fire. That's an important goal. America's municipal and rural volunteer fire departments are dedicated to extinguishing fires in structures, because these fires are only destructive. Wildland agencies, on the other hand, are having to rethink their response to wildland fire. Historically, they've suppressed all landscape-scale fires as quickly as possible. Now ecologists have discovered that fire is not only beneficial to plants and wildlife and our fire managers have teamed that a policy of "total fire control" has actually resulted in an unprecedented buildup of dry, dead and decaying vegetation. And it's on this (drought-plagued) landscape that we are building our homes. Firewise Communities - 1 Batter•naarch Park - Onincv MA 02269 USA - (617) 984-7483 The Firewise Communities Workshop series (2000-2003) helps community leaders rethink their responses to wildland fire. Since we began our series, we've gathered more than 850 fire specialists, community planners, elected officials, developers, builders, landscapers, insurance agents, homeowners and other professionals from 45 states to share what we know about the simple, practical measures that can help homes and landscapes survive wildfire. Community by community, we're reaching out to the people who influence how a home is built, maintained and protected...People like you. In addition to this nationally sponsored workshop series, the Firewise Communities Project also provides ongoing technical support (including an award-winning website), a national Firewise Communities recognition program, and GIS technology support to the schools. We've also committed ourselves to the following: • Never losing another life to a wildland/urban interface fire. • Achieving a substantial REDUCTION IN FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS in the wildland urban interface as a result of being FIREWISE; • Supporting insurance companies that create policies with incentives for homeowners who are implementing Firewise strategies; and • Keeping our statesmen apprised of our progress. So, on behalf of the people who live in the wildland/urban interface of your community; the firefighters that risk their lives every year, and the 30 national organizations, private companies, and government agencies (not to mention the countless individuals) who have banded together to create the Firewise Communities movement, we thank you for your time today. If you want to learn more about us, log onto our website at www.firewise.org/communities. And remember, we are all integral to making this effort work! Sincerely, Jim Smalley and Dan Bailey Firewise Communities Firewise Communities - 1 Battervmarch Park - Quincy MA 02269 USA - (617) 984-7483