Resilience is built across fences, districts, counties, and states
Fire Safety, Challenge Updates
The Herald Fire Prevention Council was built on determination, long nights, and the belief that rural communities deserve the same level of wildfire resilience as any major city. In just a short time, a small group of committed volunteers has created something powerful—something rare for a town our size.
Today, HFPC stands as a fully recognized 501(c)(3) with a clear mission, a growing presence, and the infrastructure to support long-term wildfire resilience across the Herald region.
But we are now entering the next stage of our organization—a stage that requires broader participation, deeper partnerships, and sustained support.
This is a pivotal moment.
What We've Built—And What It's Worth
Thanks to initial supporters who believed in our mission, we've received approximately $3,000+ in donations and grants. Here's what that investment has produced:
A Fully Established 501(c)(3) Nonprofit We are legally recognized, enabling grant eligibility, tax-deductible donations, and formal partnerships.
A Public Website for Transparency and Engagement Our website serves as a central hub for educational resources, project updates, community outreach, and stakeholder engagement—built for residents and external partners alike.
A $10,000/Month Google Ad Grant This is transformative. This grant provides HFPC with $120,000 per year in advertising power, allowing us to reach supporters across California, engage businesses, attract donors and partners, recruit volunteers, and build long-term visibility and credibility.
This grant is an inexhaustible fuel source for our outreach engine—a resource that grows our capacity every single month.
Regional and Agency Partnerships We've begun building relationships with organizations that recognize the urgency of wildfire resilience in rural California. These partnerships are essential for scaling our impact.
The Golden Paradox Challenge An innovative weekly game that engages our community in fire prevention principles while supporting local businesses through strategic partnerships.
Strike Team Program Development A volunteer program designed to help seniors and vulnerable residents with defensible space work they cannot do themselves—currently pending liability insurance clearance.
The Return on Investment
Let's be clear about what $3,000+ in early support has created:
$120,000 annual advertising capacity (Google Ad Grant)
Full nonprofit infrastructure and legitimacy
Strategic partnerships with counties, businesses, and agencies
Donated equipment, resources, and volunteer coordination systems
A platform that can serve Herald for decades
That's a 40x return on investment in capacity—before we've even fully launched our programs.
The Rural Reality: Capacity Is Our Limiting Factor
Like many rural nonprofits, HFPC was built by a small group of neighbors doing the work of many. Their dedication has carried us this far—but it is not sustainable without broader involvement.
We have the vehicle. We have the fuel. We have the mission.
What we need now is the crew.
To maintain our momentum and meet the demands of the coming fire season, we need:
More volunteers
More community participation
More operational support
More partners willing to stand with us
This is not a matter of preference. It is a matter of capacity.
Without additional support, the progress we've made will stall—not because the mission lacks value, but because the workload exceeds what a handful of volunteers can carry.
Why This Moment Matters
The upcoming January 10 community meeting is more than an event. It is a decision point.
This meeting will determine whether HFPC:
Expands its volunteer base
Builds sustainable teams
Moves forward with Firewise certification
Strengthens partnerships
Prepares Herald before fire season arrives
The question before us is simple: Will Herald step into the next stage of resilience—or remain vulnerable?
The answer depends on participation.
A Call to Our Community
Your involvement matters. Your support matters. Your partnership matters.
HFPC has the structure, the legitimacy, and the momentum. We've proven what's possible when a community invests in its own resilience.
What we need now is you.
If you believe Herald deserves to be prepared—not just for this fire season, but for the decades ahead—we invite you to:
Volunteer: Join us at the January 10 community meeting
Partner: Businesses and agencies, stand with us as we build capacity
Support: Donors, help us maintain the infrastructure you've helped create
Together, we can build a safer, stronger Herald.
The next stage begins now.
Herald Fire Prevention Council
January 10, 2025 Community Meeting 9AM
12746 Ivie Rd. Herald, Ca. 95638
