SANTA CLARA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Wildfire has always been a natural part of the California Ecosystem. Several factors have turned this naturally occurring phenomena into a major problem for our communities. Warmer days and drought years have led to lower moisture levels in trees and shrubs. More homes have been and are still being built in forested areas that are prone to wildfire. Delayed maintenance has led to increasing fuel load to feed and propagate wildfire. We are at a critical breaking point and much needs to be done. Our county is ringed by a Wild-land Urban Interface. Wildfire, in this environment, is one of the major risks to life and property in our county. We need to act boldly and quickly to address this risk.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Community Outreach and Education
County-wide Community Outreach and Education programs targeted at the residents of our fourteen Communities at Risk from wildland fires and at the visitors to the parks and open space areas in these wildfire prone areas.
We also have a very strong youth education program that includes Smokey Story Times at local schools and children's events.
Hazardous Fuel Reduction
Hazardous Fuel Reduction programs and projects to reduce hazardous vegetation in high fire danger areas by trimming trees and removing fire prone brush and other vegetation. These programs and projects include: Residential Chipping programs, Shaded Fuel Breaks and Evacuation Route clearing and our Special Needs Assistance (SNAP) program to assist residents who are unable to clear their defensible space on their own.
Where we work
Awards
Wildfire Awareness Week 2008
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Community Protection Achievement (3 awards) 2010
Firewise Communities Program
Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day, Treasurer Allan Thompson honored 2009
Silicon Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our main goals are to prevent and prepare for catastrophic wildfires in Santa Clara County.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We are bringing all impacted public and private stakeholders in Santa Clara County together to work on the following programs:
Fuel Load Reduction
Evacuation Route Clearing
Shaded Fuel Breaks
Homeowner and Business Education
Home Hardening Education
Homeowner Evacuation Workshops
Forest Management
Youth Education/Smokey the Bear Programs
Public/Private Partnership
Large Land Owner Cooperation
Neighbor to Neighbor Programs
Firewise USA
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a long history of managing successful fuel load reduction, shaded fuel breaks and evacuation route clearing projects. We run an annual chipping program to help residents create defensible space around their homes to prepare for wildfire. We have cooperative relationships with major landowners and public entities throughout the county so that we can collaborate on fuel reduction projects. Many of these agencies and landowners are on our Board of Advisors. We run an extremely successful adult and youth education program to help families prepare for wildfire and prepare for possible evacuations where appropriate. We are rapidly expanding our support of communities seeking to gain Firewise USA status. Check out more at sccfiresafe.org
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have a rapidly growing and successful adult and youth education program to help neighborhoods improve their wildfire preparedness. We have a rapidly growing fuel reduction program. We have started a home ignition zone inspection program to help individuals harden their homes for wildfire.
Here is a link to our 2018 Annual Report:
https://sccfiresafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/A.4-Annual-Report-2018-1.pdf
In 2020 and beyond we plan to:
Seek grant funding for and expand our home hardening program
Expand the number of Firewise USA communities in Santa Clara County
Work with County Road and local communities in the WUI toIdentify and improve evacuation routes
Engage with the Insurance community to find solutions for insuring homes in the WUI
Seek additional consistent stable funding from public agencies for large impactful projects such as the HWY 17 fuel break project.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
SANTA CLARA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board of directorsas of 02/23/2020
Dede Smullen
Resident
Term: 2019 - 2021
Chris Hughes
Forester, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Jerry Serpa
Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Eugene Zambetti
Saratoga Fire District
Jesse Katz
Resident
Derek Neumann
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
James Wollbrink
San Jose Water Company
Gary Sanchez
State Farm Insurance