VERG Plans and Goals
Becoming a Fire Adapted Community
The San Geronimo Valley Emergency Readiness Group (VERG) believes our safety depends on embracing a new “Fire Adapted” model as a community.
VERG was formed in 1974 to prepare for the disaster that residents were most concerned about- an earthquake. Over the years, conditions and the climate have changed and now, VERG must address today’s most pressing disaster- wildfire. The model the Valley must aspire to is best embodied by one concept, becoming a Fire Adapted Community.
The term “fire adapted communities” was codified in the 2005 Quadrennial Fire and Fuel Review, and subsequently became one of the three tenets of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Strategy. The US Forest Service, the State of California, FIREsafe Marin and many other organizations are proponents of the fire adapted model.
The wildland fire “problem” is larger and more complex than any individual, community, or institution can hope to overcome. Adaptation to wildfire is critical to a positive future and transformation will require hard work and steadfast focus.
A fire adapted community acknowledges and takes responsibility for its wildfire risk and acts. It addresses resident safety, homes, neighborhoods, infrastructure, forests, open spaces, and community assets. Realizing this vision will require extensive action, but how will this transformation take place?
Local governments provide mitigation in many areas, but the Valley doesn’t have a local government to rely upon. Consequently, VERG must create and manage fire mitigation programs for the community.
Mitigation takes many forms, from individual action to coordinated community-wide initiatives. Programs like Firewise USA™ focus on mitigation, safety, and evacuation. Firewise provides a framework for organizing workdays, chipping programs, and vegetation disposal. It can support design and implementation of projects to improve ingress and egress routes for fire evacuees.
But creating, managing, and promoting these programs is necessary to achieve the goal of making the Valley safer. Success is dependent on time, effort, and commitment to agreed-upon goals.
VERG has undertaken key projects to support our goal of becoming “Fire Adapted”:
NOAA Radio Distribution. Working with the San Geronimo Valley Community Center and West Marin Senior Services, we are providing NOAA radios to 45 aging adults. These radios alert residents if an evacuation warning or evacuation order is issued.
Woodacre FIREwise site. Volunteers conducted an assessment in June and completed the documentation required to be a recognized Firewise USA site. Next, the Woodacre Team will be organizing vegetation management projects and educating the community on goals for 2021.
Get Ready Class via Zoom. We have transitioned from the classroom to using Zoom to educate residents on disaster preparedness.
Membership development. VERG now reaches over 800 households in the Valley, nearly half of the Valley’s households.
Non-profit Status. VERG has filed for 501c3 status to become a legal non-profit organization which positions us to receive grants and donations to fund projects that benefit the Valley.
For the Valley to become fire-adapted and prepared for wildfire, VERG will focus on these areas:
Emergency Response: We are growing our emergency radio network and increasing our emergency supplies and equipment supply.
Vegetation Management: VERG is organizing neighbors to take action and acting on behalf of residents who are unable to mitigate fire risk. Large-scale projects for vegetation management are in the planning stages.
Support for access and functional needs residents. Aging adults can face a situation where they have no means to receive communication or alerts that are critical to their safety. VERG is conducting a pilot program which creates a communication network that will solve this issue.
Improve our communication and tools. Incorporate texting in our communication, adding data management capabilities, and the use of digital mapping for neighborhood management will enable us to reach the community in a timelier manner.
Advocate for Action on Preparedness. The County, Utilities, Public Works, and State and Federal Parks must all fulfill their responsibility to sustain the safety of the Valley. Many areas need vegetation management and are beyond the scale of community-organized efforts. Mitigation projects might not be undertaken unless these organizations are pressured to do so. VERG can act as a unified voice for the Valley, motivating these entities to live up to their responsibilities.
We consider these plans and objectives to be essential for the safety of the Valley. At the same time, these projects are a huge undertaking, and the management of them will require significant resources, time and management.
Management, Leadership and How You Can Help
The VERG Disaster Coordinator will be called on to create and execute programs and coordinate activities required to achieve VERG’s goals. The Coordinator provides leadership for all aspects of VERG operations, emphasizing long-term goals and inspiring volunteers and residents to embrace the Fire Adapted Community concept. This role, much like the Ross Valley Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and San Rafael’s Wildfire Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Specialist, is a full-time or near full-time role.
Today, the Coordinator is provided a modest stipend for a limited number of hours worked per month. But to attract a knowledgeable manager and capable leader to this role, VERG must offer a reasonable wage. Consequently, our fundraising plans must include compensation for this position.
We are asking for your help with this crucial undertaking. Please become a VERG Sponsor or support VERG by donating today.
Ready to volunteer your time and your skills? See our “VERG TEAM” page for an overview of the roles in our organization and how you can help the Valley become Fire Adapted.