Setting Up Firewise in Your Neighborhood
San Diego Country Estates has earned Firewise USA certification — and other neighborhoods can too. This page provides a practical overview of the steps required to get your community certified, based on the experience of SDCE's own Firewise program. For the official and most current requirements, always refer directly to the NFPA website.
Official NFPA Firewise USA Program
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the governing body for Firewise USA certification. Their website contains the official requirements, forms, and guidance for setting up a new community.
Visit ReadyForWildfire.org →Basic Eligibility Requirements
Step-by-Step Overview
Form Your Committee
Recruit a committee of volunteers to manage the certification process. A minimum of 5 volunteers is recommended so that tasks can be properly delegated. The committee is responsible for organizing meetings, tracking progress, and completing the required documentation.
Track Volunteer Time from Day One
Record all volunteer hours from the very beginning. The NFPA requires a minimum investment equivalent to $1.00 per household per year. Volunteer time is how most communities meet this threshold — one dedicated resident spending 30 hours helps offset those who cannot participate as actively.
Complete the Community Risk Survey
Drive through and visually assess each home in your community. For each property, make a judgment call on overall compliance with defensible space and wildfire-resistant construction standards. Record your findings as percentages of overall community compliance.
Write Your 3-Year Action Plan
Once the risk survey is complete, use the California Firewise form to document your 3-year action plan. Your goals must be attainable and measurable — they should outline what specific improvements your community intends to make over the next three years to reduce wildfire risk.
Document Brush Removal & Volunteer Hours
Per the NFPA requirements, document all brush removal activities and volunteer hours contributed. This ongoing record-keeping is what demonstrates your community's annual commitment and is required to maintain certification year after year.
Submit Your Application
Once your risk survey, action plan, and documentation are in order, submit your application through the NFPA Firewise USA website. Upon approval, your community will receive official certification and will need to renew annually by demonstrating continued compliance.
How Long Does It Take?
This is just a high-level overview of what is required. The actual process takes months, not weeks — especially for larger communities. Plan to hold regular monthly meetings from the start. The size of your area, the responsiveness of your volunteers, and the current state of your community's defensible space compliance will all affect the timeline.
Resources for Getting Started
The following official forms and documents are used in the Firewise certification process. Download each one to get started.
Community Risk Assessment Form
Used to evaluate and document each home's wildfire risk compliance during the community survey.
California 3-Year Action Plan Form
The official California Firewise form for documenting your community's 3-year wildfire risk reduction goals.
Volunteer Hours Log Template
Track volunteer time and brush removal activities to meet the annual $1.00 per household requirement.
NFPA Firewise USA Online Application
The official online submission portal for new Firewise community applications.
Questions? Contact the SDCE Firewise Coordinator
If you have questions about the Firewise certification process or want to learn more from SDCE's experience, reach out directly.