Firewise Committee

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CHARTER and GUIDELINES

 of

 La Casa Firewise Committee

 

I. PURPOSE:

To create a landscape in and surrounding La Casa that will make homes and structures within the park less vulnerable to wildfire.

 

II. MISSION:

To assist and advise the HOA Board of Directors and Park Manager to:

Determine if wildfire hazards exist within the park and abutting properties.

Evaluate the wildfire risk to the park or portions thereof.

Take action to mitigate any existing wildfire hazards, thereby reducing risks to acceptable levels.

Cooperate with wildfire mitigation specialists of the Florida Division of Forestry, the Sarasota County Fire Department, and the City of North Port Fire Department to mitigate areas of high wildfire risk that are adjacent to La Casa’s boundaries on property owned by others.

 

III. MEMBERSHIP:

The Firewise Committee, a standing committee, shall be comprised from three (3) to five (5) members appointed by the HOA Board of Directors.  Initially, appointed terms shall be staggered:

One, 4 year term

One, 3 year term

One, 2 year term

Two, 1 year terms

Thereafter, all terms shall be of 4 year duration.  The HOA directors shall fill vacancies as they occur.  Committee members may request reappointment when their terms expire.  The committee shall organize by electing a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and a Secretary.  The Park Manager shall be an ex-officio member of the committee.  The HOA Board may designate one of its directors to be the liaison to said committee.  The HOA Board may replace non-attending committee members on the recommendation of a majority of the remaining committee.

 

IV. MEETINGS:

As a “standing committee”, the Firewise Committee shall advertise its meetings in accordance to Florida State Law #719 by posting meeting notices on the bulletin boards in the Rec. Hall, Club House and Main Office 48 hours prior to the meeting.  All meetings shall be open to the residents of the park. Meetings are scheduled on an “as required” basis

 

V. DUTIES:

• Develop a Firewise Community Plan for La Casa.  Keep the approved plan updated.
• Periodically, together with the Park Manager, inspect the park and abutting properties for wildfire hazards.
• Recommend ways of mitigating hazards, primarily through reduction of fuels and selection of fire resistant plantings.
• Conduct periodic educational meetings for La Casa residents to make them aware of fire hazards, and suggest/recommend how these can be mitigated.
• Plan and conduct an annual fire prevention and hazard reduction workshop for wildfire and structural fire prevention.
• Assist the State Division of Forestry with other Communities that are interested in the Firewise Program.  Stay in contact with said Division of Forestry regarding controlled/prescribed burns on adjacent lands.
• Apply for grants that can pay for fuels reduction and other mitigation measures.
• Track the time (hours) of volunteers and program participants.

 

VI. COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS:

The activities and decisions of the Firewise Committee shall be reported in the minutes of its meetings and made available to the HOA Board and Park Manager.  Periodically the chairperson and/or the HOA Board liaison may report directly to the HOA Board at the Board’s monthly meetings.  “La Casa News,” local newspapers and electronic media are other vehicles to report on progress of projects.