Resources
In our years of experience working with fire safe professionals we understand that sometimes just knowing where to turn is the most important resource. Contact us if you’re looking for new ideas for reaching out to your community—or you have questions about how to be more effective at what you’re already doing.
Fire Safe Council Administration Resources:
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Fire Safe Administration
FireWise.Org is a clearinghouse for efforts of fire safe councils throughout the US.
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Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
A March 2004 document created by the Society of Professional Foresters in conjunction with a myriad of fire safe organizations. Includes eight clearly-documented steps to help communities develop a fire plan as well as links to well-written community fire plans.
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Funding Alternatives for Fire and Emergency Services
This hefty federally-prepared report details funding alternatives for fire and emergency services. While much of it pertains to firefighting agencies, there is a wealth of information here that can help your fire safe council. Don’t miss the sections on private funding sources as well as miscellaneous fundraising ideas (chapters six and seven).
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The International Associations of Fire Chiefs
Log on to this site, of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, to find out about the annual Wildland Fire conference. This year’s event, held in Phoenix in March, featured a host of classes and seminars tailored for fire safe professionals.
Mailing:
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FireSafeHelp.com Designing Your Mailpiece Fact Sheet
Includes a list of steps to consider when you’re designing a mailpiece for your fire safe council. The information applies to postcards as well as newsletters.
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FireSafeHelp.com Mail Layout Template
Here’s a template you can use to figure out where to place your return address and mail imprint information for a single-tab placement (the cheapest for automation rates). This 8.5 x 11 sheet shows you folds for a half-fold as well as tri-fold mailer.
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FireSafeHelp.com Mail Imprint Examples
Examples of various mail imprint (“indicium” in Postal-speak) formats. Includes examples for standard as well as nonprofit mail.
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Addressing Area Guidelines
US Postal Service guidelines for designing your mailpiece’s “front” mailing area.
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FireSafeHelp.com Placement of Tabs and Water Seals
“Tabs” or “wafers” are those round adhesive discs which affix the edges of a mailpiece (staples won’t work for automated mailings). This document gives you a visual look of how to design your mailpiece so the folding pattern only requires one—not two—tabs.
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USPS Postage Rates—2006
US Postal Service rates for standard (“bulk”) mail, including non-profit rates.
Artwork:
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FireSafeHelp.com Guide to Images and Artwork
Discover what types of images work best for printed projects. Learn a bit about resolution and what resolution you’re looking for.
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Online Image/Art Resources
If you don’t have the “perfect” image already for your fire safe publications, you might find it at one of these sites. Some have high quality images at no cost—other sites charge between $1 and $5 per image (depending upon resolution). Start with these search terms to discover fire safe images: fire, flame, firefighter, wildland, burn.
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iStockPhoto.com
Huge selection of photographs as well as illustrations. Great search engine. This is our favorite site for low-cost photos and art.
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Can Stock Photo
Very similar to the site above, but without the illustrations.
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morgueFile Public Image Reference Archive
Every photographic image here is free; the search engine is a bit slow but the price is right!
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DaFont.com
A wealth of fonts, free for the downloading. Don’t miss “FireStarter.”
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Do you have a helpful tool, document or link that other fire safe councils would benefit from? Contact us and we’ll include it here.