Volume 53 | January 2019
Welcome to the January 2019 Pulse Newsletter. The Network Coordinator developed a handy guide for establishing a new network chapter and the NDF is requesting project proposals for grant funding.
Quick-guide for Establishing a New Network Chapter
Setting up a new chapter within the Network can be a confusing process to understand. The Network Coordinator developed a quick-guide to help community through the process. Joining the Network involves understanding the Network’s structure, identifying your community leaders, and completing the community chapter membership application. 
Step 1: Understand the Network

  •   The Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities is a program within the Nevada Division of Forestry, a State of Nevada government agency.
  • Community Chapters and Individual Members form the core of the Network
  •  An Advisory Board of 15 governs the Network and provides the overall operational and programmatic direction. The Advisory Board and NDF supervise the Network Staff.
  • Actions of the Advisory Board, Network Staff, and Network Members are guided by the Network Operating Manual. Network staff can provide you with a Network Operating Manual or it can be found at www.forestry.nv.gov/fire-adapted- communities
Step 2: Identify Your Key Community Leaders

  • Identify leaders within your community that would be interested in joining the Network as Individual Members.
  • Tapping into a preexisting organizational membership list, such as an HOA, is a great start.
  • Ask a Network staff member to provide an educational presentation about the Network or wildfire preparedness to your community.
  • Select your two founding members of the Community Chapter and set a meeting with Network staff to learn more about the Network
  • Complete the Individual Membership application for the two founding members and submit it for Network staff review.
  • If necessary, hold a preliminary community meeting to provide interested members more information about the Network and determine how you want organize your Community Chapter.
Step 3: Complete the Community Chapter Membership Application

  • Complete the Community Chapter Membership Application with a Network Staff Member.
  • Within the application, the proposed Community Chapter must:
  1. Document the involvement and commitment of two founding members.
  2. Designate Chapter boundaries within which Chapter activities will occur that do not overlap with other Chapters
  3. Select a sustainable system of governance
  4. Propose a name for your Community Chapter
  5. Establish goals and commit to increase awareness.

  • Submit your completed application to the Network Community WUI Coordinator or Network Coordinator for Advisory Board review.
  • Once Approved, receive your letter of Chapter recognition and accept membership.
NDF Seeking Proposals for Several Wildfire Fuel Reduction Grants

NDF is seeking pre-proposals for projects that mitigate wildfire risk within Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Proposals should address issues identified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) or other wildfire mitigation planning documents, the broad goals within Nevada’s Forest Action Plan, and demonstrate collaborative interagency planning and implementation coupled with citizen ownership. Emphasis is on hazardous fuel reduction, restoration of fire-adapted ecosystems, mitigation education within the WUI, and community wildfire protection planning.

The types of allowed projects focus on achieving these goals through:
• Reducing Hazardous Fuels and Restoring Fire-adapted Ecosystems
• Improving Mitigation Education in the Interface
• Community Wildfire Protection Planning

Eligible applicants include State and local agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, companies, homeowners associations and educational institutions. Emphasis is on hazard fuel reduction, restoration of fire adapted ecosystems, prevention education and community wildfire protection planning.

Pre-Proposals for the programs are due on March 1 st , 2019. More information on these grant programs can be found at http://forestry.nv.gov/grants/ . If your community requires assistance with preparing a grant proposal please contact the Network Coordinator at [email protected] or at 775-684-2519

NFPA's FireWise Communities Program Seeking Applications for National Wildfire Preparedness Day grant program
The National Fire Protection Agency’s FireWise Communities program provides mini-grants of up to $500 for communities to host a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. The grant program encourages people to come together on May 5 th , 2019 to take action to reduce their wildfire risk.

Projects proposals can include events that educate community members about the wildfire risk or a work-day that reduces hazardous fuels within the community. Project examples include but are not limited to:
  • Hosting a community chipping or fuel disposal day.
  • Hosting a wildfire preparedness seminar for your community
  • Hosting a community pine-needle or flashy fuel raking day
  • Developing and marketing wildfire preparedness materials for release on May 5th
  • Performing defensible space inspections within your community

More information on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day program can be found at http://www.wildfireprepday.org/ The Network Coordinator is available to assist communities with their application. If your community requires assistance with the grant application please email [email protected] or call 775-684-2519
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2019 Network Annual Conference Date Set
The Network is excited to host the 5 th annual Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Conference on April 22 nd , 2019 at the Atlantis Resort in Reno. The Network is partnering with Living with Fire to provide attendees with educational talks on wildfire and emergency preparedness. More information about registration and speakers will be in the February 2019 edition of the Pulse. 
Nevada Division of Forestry| The Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities | [email protected]