San Jose, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/20/2012 -- The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCFSC) has been selected for two federal grants to fund ongoing Wildfire Protection and Prevention programs in Santa Clara County. The total for these two federal grants is $229,811 with a matching funds requirement of $24,024.

The FireSafe Council offers Defensible Space Chipping programs for homeowners and Community Outreach and Education programs, including Youth Education in schools and libraries. These programs, the only ones of their kind in the County, are free of service to all homeowners and residents. In addition, the FireSafe Council works with public and private agencies to create county-wide protection plans and evacuation routes for the communities at greatest risk for wildfire.

These communities are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. Recent fires, such as the 2008 Summit Fire and the 2009 Loma Fire, are reminders to be proactive and diligent in creating and maintaining Defensible Space.

The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCFSC) is a local non-profit organization dedicated to preventing wildfires and protecting the lives and homes of residents living in the high fire risk communities of the County. In 2011, our Fuel Reduction Programs helped protect over 4,630 Homes, 13,770 People and $4.4 Billion in Property Values. 196 Sudden Oak Death trees and 119 other trees considered a fire or access/evacuation route risk were removed.

The Defensible Space Chipping Program is free of charge thanks in part to these Federal Grants. In addition, these grants provide services for Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAP) projects for qualified seniors, low income and disabled homeowners. If you live in a high fire risk area, take these steps to learn more about Defensible Space and contact SCFSC to learn more about free programs and services to create and maintain Defensible Space around your home.

1. Visit SCCFireSafe.org and download a free copy of Living with Fire, a homeowner’s guide to Defensible Space
2. Call your local fire agency for a fire assessment risk walk thru for your property
3. Should clearing work be recommended, contact SCFSC for more information about free chipping services

The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is “Mobilizing the people of Santa Clara County to protect their homes, communities and environment from wildfires.” The council meets at 2:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month. Interested organizations and individuals are welcome to attend! For more information and meeting locations, see www.SCCFireSafe.org, e-mail info@SCCFireSafe.org or call (408) 975-9591.

Funding provided by National Fire Plan grants from the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region, through the California Fire Safe Council. Our programs and other council activities are also funded by grants and donations from local agencies, companies, foundations, organizations and individual donors.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this organization is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The views and conclusions contained in this press release are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the California Fire Safe Council, the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, local government or fire agencies, or the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement by the California Fire Safe Council, the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council or the U.S. Government.