Dear Firewise Communities/USA® Program participant,

On behalf of the entire Firewise Program team, we’re excited to announce that the California Insurance Commissioner has approved a set of rate changes submitted by USAA Insurance for their members living in active Firewise Communities/USA® locations throughout California. The homeowner insurance premium discount of 5% will be extended to policy holders living in an active Firewise community.

Below are links to the California Department of Insurance press release, NFPA’s press release, and a post from our Fire Break blog:

http://wildfire.blog.nfpa.org/2014/05/california-insurance-commissioner-approves-discounts-in-firewise-communities.html

http://www.nfpa.org/press-roon/news-releases/2014/usaa-recognizes-value-of-firewise-program-to-help-protect-california-neighborhoods

http://wildfire.blog.nfpa.org/2014/05/california-insurance-commissioner-approves-discounts-in-firewise-communities.html

We hope you’ll share this news with your community’s residents and consider posting it on your website, in your newsletter and on your social media platforms.

Let us know if we can provide any additional information or answer questions.

Sincerely,

Cathy
Cathy Prudhomme
Community Outreach Program Manager – NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division
(O) 303-736-8461
(C) 720-883-4627
6855 South Havana Street, Suite 180
Centennial, CO 80112

Take Advantage of the Defensible Space Chipping Program and Help Us Stay a
Firewise Community

Act now before Fire Season arrives. The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County is still offering
its chipping program to county residents. Due to limited grant funding the program may be suspended during fire season (typically starting toward the end of May). So call now 530-272- 1122 to make arrangements or go online to http://www.areyoufiresafe.com to learn more.

When you’re preparing those piles for chipping, keep in mind the following:

• Chipping piles should be stacked along a road or driveway frontage allowing the crew to work from the road or driveway.
• Piles must be placed within 5 feet of chipper access. Piles must be placed on the uphill side of road or driveway.
• Piles must be free of roots/stumps, rocks and mud, poison oak, scotch broom and blackberries and other vines.
• Piles must be stacked with the cut ends facing the same direction, pointing towards access route to piles.
• Piles must not be higher than 3 feet high. Material can be up to 8″ in diameter and needs to be longer than 3 feet.

Note: a suggestion donation of $75 / hour will help keep the program available. Remember that chipping cost includes a crew of workers. Still a bargain!