May 10, 2019 – The 2019 Ready, Set, Go! Handbook has arrived in mailboxes across the county in time for Wildfire Preparedness Week. Created by the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services (NCOES) in collaboration with partner agencies and emergency managers to help households prepare for wildfire, the guide serves as a one stop place for all fire preparedness needs. The resources provided, from defensible space maps to Go Bag checklists, have been compiled through the collaborative efforts of county officials, local and state agencies, first responders, nonprofits, and community leaders.

“There was so much information out there that we thought it was important to create a streamlined guide for residents. It is easy to get overwhelmed and we wanted to be sure the most up to date information got to every household,” says Steve Monaghan, Director of Information and General Services.

There are two versions of the guide, one for county residents and one for one for residents that live in Nevada City and Grass Valley city limits. The Office of Emergency Services coordinated with Nevada City/Grass Valley Fire Chief Buttron and Division Chief Goodspeed to make sure city-specific municipal codes were outlined.

“Many people know it’s important to prepare for wildfire, but they aren’t sure where to begin. We hope that this handbook provides a path forward for people to get started right away,” says Nevada City/ Grass Valley Fire Chief Buttron.

Most Nevada County residents live in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). As much as 92% of Nevada County lives within the High and Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Personal responsibility paired with education and outreach are crucial to the community’s safety.

The initiative Ready Nevada County represented by the logo on the front of the handbook, is a multifaceted stakeholder effort coordinated by the County of Nevada to raise awareness and mobilize the community to prevent and prepare for wildfire. Community members are encouraged to look for the logo for the latest on Nevada County’s wildfire readiness through increased planning, strategic partnerships, improved communication, and ongoing public engagement.

The delivery of the Ready, Set, Go! handbooks were staggered; all residents should receive theirs within the next week.