Neighborhood Ambassador Program
In December of 2004, a pilot program was started by the Firewise Council of
Southwest Colorado called the Neighborhood Ambassador Program. Built on
research principals presented through research conducted by Fort Lewis College
called People and Fire in the West, it was learned that one of the most trusted
sources of information about wildfire prevention is from neighbors and friends –
every day people who are trusted and known.
The Neighborhood Ambassador
Program recruits, trains and utilizes volunteers who serve as Ambassadors. So
far, 40 (and growing) Ambassadors are active.
The Firewise Council of Southwest Colorado would like to graciously thank La Plata County Government for awarding the project a $20,0000 grant for program operations and expansion in 2006- 2007 and the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) for serving as fiscal agent.
Examples of Ambassadors' Roles and Projects
Public Education/Mitigation
- Plan the occasional informational event for your subdivision inviting an expert speaker(s) on wildfire and/or emergency preparedness.
- Inform residents/neighbors about the www.southwestcoloradofires.org Web site.
- Be an example of a home site where defensible space has been created.
- Provide the residents in your subdivision, through whatever means possible, the wildfire mitigation companies’ contractor list kept by the Colorado State Forest Service (this list is found at the above Website under the “prevention” tab).
- Attend the bi-monthly Firewise Council meetings and/or educational events taking information back to your neighborhood, home owner association, subdivision, etc.
- Assist your neighborhood with understanding, supporting and participating in the Red Zone project underway in La Plata and Archuleta Counties.
- Plan a neighborhood mitigation day or week or month to remove and dispose of slash.
Pre-Wildfire Planning with Your Local Fire Department/District
- Make contact with your local Fire Department/District so they are familiar with you and what you can offer. Get to know them and be a resource.
- Share important information about your subdivision including a map of the following:
- Locations of homes and other structures.
- Road layout.
- Possible water supplies such as ponds, creeks and cisterns, including ownership (i.e., private or public).
- Location(s) of heavy fuel loads (thick forest, lumber piles, stump piles, etc.).
- Location of hazardous materials (paint, oil for roads, gasoline storage, etc.).
- Location(s) of above- and/or below-ground propane tanks.
- Location(s) of power lines and power poles and the name of the electric company.
- Location(s) of gas lines and name of gas company.
- Location of homes with pets and livestock.
- Location of homes with out-of-state owners.
- Location of homes with residents who have special needs (disabled, elderly, etc.)
- List of homeowners who do not have a land line with their cell phone number.
- Make a list of all possible locations for distribution of wildfire information in the event of a wildfire (e.g. bulletin boards, public gathering places, etc.).
Communication – General
- Work with local residents to ensure their addresses and street signs are visible.
- Establish an email tree through which residents in your subdivision can receive information.
- Assemble contact information for homeowners with addresses, phone numbers (work, home, cell, emails).
- Update all information annually.
During a Wildfire Event
- Call 911 if you witness a wildfire. Provide information the 911 operator may request.
- If you are evacuated, please go to the official evacuation center and be a contact person for local fire fighters/entities when and if asked.
- Your role during a wildfire event is to ensure your own personal safety and to evacuate if necessary. Remember ~ the best time to make contact with your fire department is before an event happens! Note: Some Fire Departments/Districts may ask you to sign a separate form clarifying your role in a wildfire event.
NOTE: Ambassadors agree to any number of things on this list and do not have to accomplish the entire list to be an Ambassador.
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