Ready NOW

We're gonna be so popular!

Over the past few years, we’ve had a lot of honest conversations about what it takes to keep this work going. Like many nonprofits, Firebrand Resiliency Collective operates in a constant balancing act between delayed funding and the very real, immediate needs of the communities we serve. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s rarely straightforward. But it’s work we believe in deeply.

Still, the reality is: we’ve had to get creative. Which is why we’re announcing a bold new revenue strategy:

We’re opening a fireworks stand.

Now, we understand there may be concerns. But hear us out: After years of working in wildfire recovery and preparedness, we realized that no one understands fire in this region quite like we do. We like to think we can bring a uniquely informed perspective to the fireworks space. And honestly, we need to diversify our portfolio of services.

Proceeds will support our ongoing work in community resilience, preparedness, and recovery—while also raising awareness about fire safety in a very immediate, experiential way. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s through grants, partnerships, or (apparently) pyrotechnics, we’re committed to finding ways to sustain this work for the long haul.

More details to come soon, including location, hours, and our official stance on “defensible space” around the checkout counter.

Want to get a jump on this year's wildfire season? Place your order today:
https://tinyurl.com/52mbxp7h

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
(March 20–21, Applegate FD)

Firebrand Resiliency Collective is hosting a two-day Home Wildfire Risk Assessor training focused on structure ignition risk, defensible space, resident engagement, and hands-on field assessments.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
• Recognizing structure ignition factors and defensible space mitigations
• Practical, field-ready assessment methodology
• Strategies for productive resident risk conversations
• Hands-on assessments in the field
• Intro to the Wuuii platform for digital assessments and mitigation tracking

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
• Location: Applegate Fire District Training Room
• Dates: March 20–21
• Cost: $300 ($250 without food)
• Up to 10 seats reserved for fire district personnel

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 for personnel able to conduct assessments under FRC’s Ready NOW program using the Wuuii digital assessment platform. Our goal is to strengthen regional capacity for consistent, high-quality home risk assessments and improve coordination between districts and community mitigation efforts. While Jackson and Josephine County fire personnel will be prioritized, out-of-area professionals are welcome if space allows.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 & 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: firebrandcollective.org/assessor

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗢𝗨:
𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 – 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Large, destructive wildfires are becoming the new normal. This upcoming course explores how communities can dramatically reduce wildfire risk through neighborhood-level action, equity-centered preparedness, and workforce solutions.

Ashland’s 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan sets a goal of reducing wildfire risk by 90% within ten years. This “local conversation” forum explores opportunities to achieve that goal through community action.

Topics include identifying neighborhood-level risk using aerial imagery; reducing residential risk (with attention to renters and socially vulnerable households); responding to the insurance crisis; and building a wildfire-smart workforce. The last session will be a mini-summit where we develop an action plan.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Our Executive Direct Tucker has a full session dedicated to FRC and Ready NOW on Feb 24 and Brian Hendrix from Ashland fire & rescue will be presenting information on February 17 about how Ashland is geospatially analyzing throughout the city and in neighborhoods.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
February 10–March 10, 2026

Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 pm

Campbell Center (655 Frances Lane, Ashland) and Zoom

𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 may register directly - https://olli.sou.edu/olliatsou/course/course.aspx?C=3999&pc=59&mc=60&sc=0

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 should contact Charisse Sydoriak by email to learn how to participate.
[email protected]

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Charisse Sydoriak has 35 years of experience in fire and natural-resource management, co-founded Ashland’s Volunteer Wildfire Risk Assessment Program, and co-authored the City’s 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

More info 👉 https://ashlandclimate.org/event/sou-olli-course-living-with-wildfire-planning-for-community-driven-solutions/2026-02-10/

Community meeting at the Williams Grange tonight at 6! Part of the second round of public meetings for the Applegate Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) update.

The CWPP team will share progress updates, including initial findings from the public survey and potential fuels reduction projects. You’ll have the opportunity to give feedback on these projects and learn more about the project prioritization process. Tonight's presentation will be tailored to the Willams neighborhood.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry!

A third and final round of public meetings will take place in the spring. And in the meantime, completing the survey (https://www.applegatepartnership.org/cwpp) is the best way to contribute to the development process!

Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative Williams Rural Fire Protection District

🔥 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴!

Become a Home Wildfire Risk Assessor with Firebrand’s Ready NOW program.

▪ No experience needed — training provided ✅
▪ Flexible schedule ✅
▪ $25–$50 per assessment ✅

Help families in Jackson & Josephine Counties make their homes safer from wildfire, one home at a time.

👉 Learn more & apply: firebrandcollective.org/assessor