Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire Safe Nevada County Coalition (FSNCC)

How did this organization get started? Who is behind it?
In response to the L.A. wildfires in January, a few people who have been very active in local Firewise Communities (FWCs) noticed an urgent need for expanded support for FWCs. They approached the Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities (CoalitionFWC), and that group agreed a new organization was needed that would be focused on wildfire preparedness education and support for residents, visitors, and communities – especially Firewise Communities. 

Members of the core group behind this startup are: 
Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman, co-lead of Salmon Mine-East Sages FWC; a retired U.S. Forest Service fire scientist; California-certified prescribed-fire “burn boss;” and North San Juan resident who has performed 28 Hazard & Risk Assessments for NFPA recognition of Nevada County FWCs
Bob Long, leader of Sherwood Forest FWC; past Chair and current Steering Committee member of the Coalition.
Maureen Graber, Steering Committee member of Banner Mountain FWC; Firewise Festival planning committee.
Kristen Cook, leader of You Bet FWC; Steering Committee member of the Coalition; Firewise Festival planning committee.
Dario Davidson, a Registered Professional Forester who lives in South County and has performed over 50 Hazard & Risk Assessments for NFPA recognition
Jeff Peach, leader of Banner Mountain FWC; current Steering Committee member of the Coalition.
Paul Tebbel, board member of Greenhorn Firewise FWC
Jason Hajduk-Dorworth, retired Santa Cruz Fire Chief; leader of Martis Peak FWC.

Is the current Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities part of the new organization?
Yes. After CoalitionFWC Steering Committee members met with the FSNCC start-up group, they decided that merging the Coalition with this new organization was in the best interests of Nevada County FWCs and all County residents. The FSNCC Board will have a Coalition of Firewise Communities Committee that will continue to host meetings and provide input and support to the organization. All former CoalitionFWC Steering Committee members are now members of this FSNCC committee.
 
Shouldn’t the existing Coalition Steering Committee have asked the FWCs to vote on whether they wanted the Coalition to merge into the new organization?
We understand some FWCs may feel they should have been consulted. The Coalition Steering Committee was unanimous in their enthusiasm about the benefits of being merged into the new FSNCC because it will provide much-needed logistical and financial support for the goals and objectives of the original Coalition. They feel it’s a huge step forward. And, they all believe that the overwhelming majority of FWCs place their trust in the judgement of the Steering Committee members who have volunteered many hours and made many decisions — over 7½ years — that support the safety of our residents.
 
How was the group’s name chosen?
After lots of discussion and debate!! First, we wanted a naming convention similar to other counties for organizations promoting community wildfire safety. Fire Safe Nevada County is similar to other counties. It also was very important to communicate that the Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities had joined the new effort, so Coalition was included in the name. After considering many alternatives, we chose Fire Safe Nevada County Coalition (FSNCC) as the name that best achieved these goals.
 
Is the new group a charitable non-profit? Who is on your Board of Directors?
We are incorporating as a 501(c)3 California non-profit community benefit corporation. Our Board of Directors, which is currently forming, will have between 5 and 13 members. As of April 2025, Board members include Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman, President; Bob Long, Treasurer; Maureen Graber, Secretary; and Erika Willett Kosina, Director at Large and chair of the Coalition of Firewise Communities Committee.
 
How will this new group support itself? The former Coalition was all-volunteer and had no budget.
We live in a wildfire area that’s rated Very High Risk, and the threat of wildfire affects everyone.  We believe a great many people will be willing to join/donate to FSNCC because of our financial and organizational transparency, the strong qualifications of our founders and Board members, and because the former Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities, which is now merged with our new organization, has the recognition, credibility and trust of thousands of local residents. 

Our business plan calls for a very lean staff (three employees) in a small office that will rely on volunteer support to achieve our goals. We plan on supporting core operations with donations and using grants for projects. We are pursuing small grants to provide our start-up funding. We have formed a partnership with the Community Foundation of Nevada County to help us with fund-raising and transparent fiscal management. And like the Membership/donor structures at many local non-profits, we will offer a Membership/donor program to FWC residents, the general public and local businesses. 

If I donate money, how will I know it will go toward direct support of residents, communities, and especially Firewise Communities?
Our entire purpose is to support fire preparedness in Nevada County. Feel free to suggest projects that will benefit our community. Our financial statements and books are open to the community and can be viewed by making an appointment with our Treasurer, Bob Long.

How can I sign up to volunteer?
It’s easy. Visit the Volunteering section of our website and choose what kind of volunteer work you want to do. Help in the office. Mentor new or other FWC leaders. Help organize educational events. Help raise funds. Or suggest whatever you think will help!

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