Dear Residents, Community Members and Government Officials:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!

We’re excited to kick off this year with a fresh new look for our newsletter and a renewed commitment to keeping you informed, prepared, and engaged. Before we dive into what’s ahead, let’s take a moment to reflect on the progress we made together in 2025.

Looking Back on 2025

Last year was a year of growth, innovation, and community resilience.

Here are some highlights:

• Expanded Public Outreach & Communication:
  • We launched a new e-notification system for timely alerts and updates, introduced monthly public education newsletters, and strengthened FireWise communications through Groups.io.
  • WPVReady also hosted its first Communicator Class, building neighborhood radio networks for emergencies.
• Operational Permit Program & Code Updates:
  • A new Fire Operational Permit Program was introduced for businesses, enhancing safety standards across the district.
• Adoption of Updated Fire Codes:
  • In November, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 14-2025, which incorporates the 2025 California Fire Code and 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, along with local amendments tailored to our unique terrain and wildfire risks. This ordinance ensures compliance with state law while implementing stricter standards for emergency access, water supply, and building construction throughout the District.
• Technology Upgrades:
  • The Accela permitting software went live in March, streamlining construction permit submissions and plan reviews. Staff underwent extensive training to ensure smooth implementation.
• Defensible Space & Home Assessments:
  • Our teams worked diligently across multiple zones, completing hundreds of inspections. While we faced challenges with scheduling and staffing, we learned valuable lessons and added resources, including hiring per diem inspectors to accelerate progress.
• Fuel Mitigation Success:
  • Crews completed major projects, including the Skyline grant project, mitigating nearly 30 miles of roadside vegetation—a record achievement for WFPD.
  • Additional work included Right-of-Way work in Portola Valley, broom removal, hydrant maintenance, shaded fuel breaks, and expanded chipping programs throughout the district with the new “Reserve Your Chipping Pick-Up Date”.
• Community Preparedness & CERT Programs:
  • WPV-CERT delivered multiple training sessions, introduced supplemental disaster readiness courses, and deployed a fully equipped Command Post Trailer with solar power and Starlink connectivity.
  • CERT also advanced plans to become a CPR training center and continued work on radio integration for emergency communications.
• Fire Hazard Severity Zone Mapping:
  • We adopted CAL FIRE’s updated maps for Local Responsibility Areas
• Public Education Campaigns:
  • October’s Fire Prevention Month focused on lithium-ion battery safety with the theme “Charge into Fire Safety”, delivered through community pop-ups, school presentations, and town proclamations. These achievements reflect our ongoing priority: upgrading public outreach strategies and preparing for all hazards.

What’s New in 2026

This year promises even more exciting developments:

• New Scheduling Abilities:
  • Residents will soon have improved options for scheduling inspections
• Instagram Launch:
  • Follow us on our new Instagram account for videos and updates from theBureauofFirePreventionandLifeSafety,coveringFire Prevention, Fuel Mitigation, and Community Risk Reduction.
• New look to our Public Education Newsletter now named "The Ready Resident"
  • Packed with tips, resources, and actionable advice to help you stay prepared throughout the year. Find our newsletters on our website: The Ready Resident - Read Now
• Defensible Space Assessor’s Program:
  • We’re developing a resident-driven program that shifts the focus from “policing” to peer-to-peer coaching.
  • Who They Are: Volunteers—residents, retirees, or neighborhood leaders—trained under a CAL FIRE curriculum that WFPD will bring and teach locally.
  • The Assessment: A 30–60 minute visit to identify vulnerabilities, not violations.
  • The Goal: Provide a low-pressure way for residents to learn about Home Hardening (like mesh vents) and Defensible Space (clearing brush).

We look forward to sharing these initiatives and more throughout the year.

Thank you for your commitment to safety and for partnering with us to protect our community.

Stay safe,
Kimberly Giuliacci

Division Chief / Fire Marshal
Woodside Fire Protection District