Understanding defensible space will save property and lives. Photo from Alex Hoon.
Explaining fire behavior and situational awareness will encourage individuals to be partners in the wildland fire solution.
RSG helps to deliver the preparedness message, so residents and firefighters stay safe.
Development in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) poses challenges, but fire departments can make a positive difference.
Welcome
The Ready, Set, Go! Program utilizes firefighters to teach individuals who live in high risk wildfire areas and the wildland-urban-interface (WUI) how to best prepare themselves and their properties against fire threats. Ready, Set, Go! works in complimentary and collaborative fashion with Firewise and other existing wildland fire public education efforts. It amplifies their messages to individuals to better achieve the common goal we all share of fire-adapted communities.
The RSG Program provides the implementation guidance; background knowledge; and presentation tools to assist fire departments in delivering the program message:
• Ready – Preparing for the Fire Threat: Be Ready, Be Firewise. Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildfire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Make sure all residents residing within the home are on the same page, plan escape routes. For more information about how to be Ready for wildland fires, go to Firewise.org
• Set – Situational Awareness When a Fire Starts: Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Stay aware of the latest news from local media and your local fire department for updated information on the fire.
• Go – Leave early! Following your Action Plan makes you prepared and firefighters are now able to best maneuver the wildfire and ensuring you and your family’s safety.
“We want people to do some control burning on a small scale,” he said. “We're not talking about setting 30 or 40 acres on fire unless you're prepared, follow guidelines and contact the local fire department – we're talking about a small control burn around a subdivision or a home. Now that we're getting moisture, now is the time.”
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