Following are some “best practices” for running a Firewise Community contributed by FWCs around Nevada County.  FWC leaders are encouraged to adopt – and adapt – these practices in their own communities.

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ENGAGING YOUR FIREWISE COMMUNITY

BBQ Toolkit

A step-by-step tool kit, “Build a Safer Block, One BBQ at a Time,” can help you engage your Firewise community.  The toolkit is a simple and fun how-to guide for Firewise communities to an old-fashioned BBQ block party, with Firewise Community outreach and fire prevention education. Brought to you by the Nevada City Office of Emergency Services in partnership with Neighbor-to-Neighbor, a Program of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, and created by the Fire Safe Nevada County Coalition.  Download the BBQ Toolkit - Update 2026

Welcoming New Neighbors/Community Members

Welcoming new neighbors is one of the best ways to build a strong Firewise Community. Start with a friendly introduction and a welcome packet that includes local contacts, Firewise and evacuation information, community resources, and neighborhood tips. Invite new neighbors to work parties, social gatherings, and community events so they can meet others and learn how the neighborhood works together. A simple welcome, ongoing communication, and opportunities to get involved help build the relationships that make communities safer, stronger, and more wildfire ready. Download the Outreach_New_Neighbor_Welcome_Packet  Here is a friendly sample letter to use. New FWC Member Welcome Letter Example (if you want a word version to edit, please email us at contact@wildfirereadync.org).

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY

Neighbors Helping Neighbors -- a"Buddy" System

Some of the most vulnerable people during a wildfire (or other emergencies) are those that need help evacuating or getting ready for evacuation. A number of Firewise Communities, including Salmon Mine-East Sages, have paired up community members that may need help in a wildfire evacuation with neighbors that can help them. Having someone right there to help, someone you know, is a great way to make sure everyone gets out safely in a timely manner. Sometimes they just may need help if the evacuation is at night and that is tough for them.

Easy, Fun, and Practical Ways to "Know your Zone"

The Deer Creek Southside Firewise Community uses stickers, magnets, and patches on mini-go backpacks to make it easy for everyone in their community to know their evacuation zone. How fun and practical!

Patrols - Fire Starts  from Lightning Strikes or Illegal Fireworks

Louise Jones, Lightning Tree FWC leader, shared a great practice of organizing neighborhood patrols during times when fire starts are more likely to happen and be more dangerous. She organized community members to do patrols in shifts around the neighborhood to watch out for fire starts. This could be used when illegal fireworks may be going off or lightning strikes are happening in your community. We took this idea and developed a "cheat sheet" in how to do it in your community.  Neighborhood Patrols Quick Guide_2026  FWC Patrols - How to Guide-2 pages_2026