Self-Assessment
- Online Self-Assessment (preferred)
- Printable Self-Assessment (email the completed form to baccafirewise@gmail.com)
The first step to preparing for wildfire is a self-assessment of your home and property. As a Firewise Community, BACCA’s top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. In order to secure the necessary funding and resources, it’s crucial that we thoroughly understand our community’s specific needs. Identifying our vulnerabilities allows us to prioritize our efforts and allocate resources where they are most needed. Through this self-assessment, we aim to gather vital information to bolster our fire prevention strategies. Your participation is essential in helping us create a safer, more resilient community.
This information is only used internally by BACCA and is not shared with any banks, insurers, or other third parties. The anonymized information, as percentages, is compiled for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in order to maintain our status as an official Firewise Community.
Participation is voluntary, but the more people who participate, the more resources will be available for our community’s most vulnerable weaknesses. This form only needs to be completed once every 5 years.
For in-depth instructions and descriptions for this self-assessment, see the official Firewise USA Self-Assessment Instructions.
Volunteer Hourly Worksheet
- Online Volunteer Hourly Worksheet (preferred)
- Printable Volunteer Hourly Worksheet (email the completed form to baccafirewise@gmail.com)
Firewise Communities, including BACCA, are only possible thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers. In order to maintain our status as an official Firewise Community, BACCA, as a whole, must log one hour of volunteer work for every home in our area every year. This can include actual expenses, where every $25.43 spent counts as one hour of volunteer work.
If this is you’re first time completing this form, include all work and expenses from the previous 2 years from the date you complete the form. After that, you must complete the form at least once per year (for example, you could fill it out at the end of every month).
Examples of volunteer work or expenses include:
Hardening of Home or Outbuildings:
- Removal of all flammable materials from roof, gutters, and under decks.
- Installation of a new roof, mesh screening for attic vents, or siding repairs.
- Replacement of vinyl gutters with metal gutters.
- Retrofitting of open eaves to closed soffited eaves.
- Replacement of missing deck boards.
Improvements around Home:
- Mowing lawns or meadows.
- Removal of pine needles, leaves, and ground debris.
- Replacement of mulch with stone or gravel.
- Thinning or removal of trees.
- Removal of highly-flammable vegetation.
Neighborhood or Community Projects:
- Coordination of rental equipment for community projects.
- Door-to-door canvassing to raise awareness of wildfire risks.
- Debris removal and maintenance of commonly owned areas.
- Reduction of vegetation/fuels from ingress and egress routes.
- Participation/attendance in Firewise or other community meetings.
Expenses:
- Chipper/power equipment rentals and associated costs.
- Contractor labor for landscapers or tree removal.
- Dumpster rental or leaf bags
- Hardscaping materials and labor
- Mileage to secure rental equipment, dispose of green waste, or to attend meetings.
For in-depth descriptions and examples for volunteer hours and expenses, see the official Firewise USA Time and Expense Investment Examples.