United Way of Nevada County (UWNC) is pleased to announce the receipt of a vital grant from the California Fire Foundation to help ensure that vulnerable residents are not left behind during emergencies.
The grant focuses on the launch of the new Buddy Evacuation Team (BET) program which will connect community volunteers (“Buddies”) with residents who need extra help preparing for or evacuating during disasters such as wildfires or severe storms.
With guidance from UWNC, volunteers will provide preparedness guidance, go-bags and evacuation plans, as well as check in during emergencies to ensure safety or to connect them to additional resources when needed.
“This grant from the California Fire Foundation allows us to take a major step forward in supporting our most at-risk neighbors,” said Louise Reed, United Way of Nevada County Executive Director. “The Buddy Evacuation Team program builds on our ongoing disaster preparedness work, helping create a network of community members who look out for each other before, during, and after emergencies.”
United Way of Nevada County will work with the county and local community organizations to help identify at-risk residents and strengthen neighborhood-level support networks. Together, these partnerships will ensure the program reaches those who need it most and builds a safer, more resilient community.
The California Fire Foundation provides statewide grant opportunities to fire departments, firefighter associations, and community-based organizations that support wildfire prevention, community safety initiatives, defensible space projects, and recovery efforts. Support from the Foundation enables local groups like United Way of Nevada County to turn community concern into direct action—offering lifesaving information, tools, and coordination to residents who need it most.
United Way of Nevada County (UWNC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving lives by equitably directing community resources to meet local needs. Serving both Nevada and Sierra Counties, UWNC works through partnerships and mobilizes volunteers to address basic needs—such as food, health, safety, and income stability.
Editor’s note: The Buddy Evacuation Team program can be viewed here: https://uwnc.org/disaster-preparedness