Fire Safe Council of Nevada County and County OES Share AFN Program and More at The Nevada County Fair

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Fire Safe Council of Nevada County (FSCNC) and the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services (OES) will be at the Nevada County Fair this week, highlighting wildfire preparedness programs for all Nevada County residents. A particular point of pride and enthusiasm is the Access and Functional Needs Program (AFN), which provides defensible space clearing to low-income seniors and residents with disabilities. Defensible space is the first line of defense against wildfire. It is created by removing highly flammable vegetation, including tall grasses, heavy brush, and tree branches lower than 10 feet off the ground from around structures. “We have needed a program like this for a while. It is exciting to get to work, and space is available to welcome more folks to the program. We’ll be at the fair ready to answer questions and even help residents start the application process on the spot,” says FSCNC Executive Director Jamie Jones.

“Even if you think you don’t qualify, we encourage people to apply. We are always looking for resources to support residents, and knowing the needs in advance helps us make effective plans to protect our community with partners like FSCNC,” says Office of Emergency Services Director Craig Griesbach.

The program is funded and managed in cooperation with The County of Nevada, CalOES (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services), FEMA, and The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County, which will provide crews to complete the work.

The Fire Safe Council team can be found at the Nevada County Fair every day from August 10-14. Their booth will have extensive information and tools to help the whole family, including kids, prepare for wildfire, and they can also be found at the KNCO Gazebo. “We are so excited to connect with residents in person again, so we made sure you won’t miss us!” says Jones.

“If you don’t connect with us this week, contact us by phone or stop by the office next week,” adds FSCNC Outreach Coordinator Kate Benton. “We are always happy to answer questions and talk through all our programs!”

For the AFN Program, applicants will be required to supply proof of residency, medical disability, and income. Income qualifications are based on HUD/HCD criteria. The program is limited to property owners (and not renters) at this time. More information and the complete application can be found at https://www.areyoufiresafe.com/programs/access-functional-needs-afn.