If you’re confused by the different standards and organizations telling us what to do to protect our homes from wildfire, you’re not alone. Organizations are currently collaborating to develop a more unified set of standards and messaging strategies.
There are four main programs you need to know about. While the differences in the programs vary in their levels of approach, requirements, and recommendations, it is important to be aware of all four.
It should be noted that the primary impetus for home hardening and creating defensible space around your home is to save lives, property, and communities from wildfire. However, the financial benefits of insurability and insurance discounts cannot be ignored.
Each organization’s set of recommendations reflects its mission. Although there are differences in approach and stringency, there is an overwhelming overlap of recommendations that align all our missions.
The California Department of Insurance states, “The more you do, the more you save.” While they are referring to insurance rates, it also applies to saving lives, property, and communities.
1. Firewise USA®
The Firewise USA® program was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provides simple, effective steps to help communities reduce the risk of destruction from wildfire.
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa
2. Safer from Wildfires
Safer from Wildfires was created by an interagency partnership between Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the emergency response and readiness agencies in Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. It is a ground-up approach to wildfire resilience with three layers of protection—for the structure, the immediate surroundings, and the community. Following these achievable steps can help you save money on your insurance.
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/200-wrr/Safer-from-Wildfires.cfm
3. Wildfire Prepared Home™
Based on the latest science and research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), their Wildfire Prepared Home™ program takes a systems-based approach to wildfire resilience—going beyond a single action to address multiple vulnerabilities. These required actions include maintaining defensible space around the home and upgrading key building features to help reduce the chance of ignition.
The program offers two levels of protection to choose from: Base or Plus. Homeowners must meet and maintain the requirements for their selected level to earn a designation certificate. The specific requirements for each level are outlined below.
How-To Prepare My Home Checklist empowers homeowners to take science-based, proven steps to meaningfully reduce wildfire risk to their home and property. Follow this science-based checklist to strengthen your home’s wildfire protection and meet the Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Standard requirements.
Wildfire Prepared Home™ is a designation program designed to reduce wildfire risks through a set of mitigation actions at the parcel level.
4. Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)‘s mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST was founded in 1901 and is a non-regulatory agency that is now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories. They aim to enhance economic security and improve the quality of life through their work.
NIST’s research and articles can be very technical, but for those of us who still have questions, they are a wonderful resource.
Below is the Wildfire Prepared Home Checklist
