The Lassen Fire Safe Council is kicking off its 2025-2026 fiscal year by announcing two key initiatives from its Community Fund, designed to better protect Lassen County residents from wildfires. The initiatives focus on supporting local education and improving communication for volunteer fire departments.
The council has presented a $10,000 check to the Lassen College Foundation to establish scholarships for students enrolled in critical Fire Technology, Forestry, and GIS programs. This investment is aimed at “growing our own” professionals who will live and work within the community.
Community members and businesses who wish to establish similar scholarships are encouraged to contact LCC Foundation representative Jamie Giles at 1.530.251.8882.
In a separate effort, the LFSC Board has authorized a maximum reimbursement of $800 for each of its covered volunteer fire departments to help them subscribe to advanced communication systems like IamResponding or Active 911.
These systems are intended to improve coordinated alerts and response times for volunteer firefighters. The council has already issued checks to three departments and hopes to assist more in the coming months, ensuring financial constraints do not prevent departments from adopting these important tools.
The LFSC welcomes input and project ideas from its 12 Firewise communities, 15 volunteer fire departments, and all Lassen County residents. The organization is actively seeking new initiatives to fund that align with its mission to preserve Northern California’s resources from the effects of wildfires.
The Community Fund committee, established in December 2023 and led by Chevi Amrein, is supported by the sale of unused equipment, small donations, and a portion of the 2021 Dixie Fire PG&E Settlement funds.
The organization’s press release noted that none of the settlement money can be recovered by PG&E in customer rates, ensuring the funds are used for the community’s benefit.
