Community dynamics are a key component of resilience, and one that is often neglected.

 

Malibu seems to have a good foundation of community that has already shown its effectiveness at mobilizing in response to disaster. Keep that momentum going by not only rebuilding, but preparing your community for the next disaster which may be tsunami, earthquake, flooding, debris flow or heat waves. 

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Communication Networks & Block Captains

46. Bolster community networks and develop community resilience plans. 

A resilient community is one that can effectively share information, recognize vulnerabilities, organize community efforts, and mobilize a response in the event of a disaster. There are a number of ways to strengthen lines of communication. 

ACTION

» Establish a Fire Safe Council to plan and manage community wildfire preparedness projects.

» Use Nextdoor, a private neighborhood social network, to share your own knowledge and benefit from the information others have shared about disaster rebuilding and wildfire risk mitigation. Ask neighbors if there are other online social networks they use to share information. 

RESOURCES

  1. Start a new Fire Safe Council - Contact Elizabeth LaMar at 559-288-2603 or elamar@cafiresafecouncil.org.

  2. Nextdoor

  3. Map Your Neighborhood Discussion Guide 

47. Become a Firewise USA Site® to organize a community-wide response to wildfire risk. 

The burden of responsibility for wildfire preparedness is on the homeowner. However, employing best practices on your site can be thwarted by a dense, unmaintained adjacent site. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created the Firewise® USA program to organize and standardize community initiative against wild-fire risk. There are currently over 1,500 recognized Firewise Sites. For being a part of a Firewise site, homeowners may also get an insurance discount of 5-15%. Firewise sites must be comprised of at least 8 single family dwellings and no more than 2,500 homes. 

ACTION

» First, speak with neighbors, community leaders, and local fire department about applying to be a Firewise site. Plan the boundaries and size depending on how many homes are willing to participate. Next, obtain a written wildfire risk assessment from your state forestry agency or fire department. For risk assessment templates, see resource #1. The Firewise Site committee will then need to develop an action plan that prioritizes risk-reducing projects and investments. Firewise Sites will need to report on all projects completed on a yearly basis for annual renewal. 

RESOURCES