Fire Safe Marin is now offering Retrofitting for Wildfire, a new, free training course for licensed contractors to learn the skills required to make homes more resistant to wildfire. The goal is to help residents find knowledgeable professionals who can turn wildfire safety recommendations into practical home improvements.
Available online through Fire Safe Academy, the self-paced course takes approximately five hours to complete. Developed with wildfire scientist Dr. Steve Quarles, it connects wildfire research with practical construction and retrofit decisions. Contractors who complete the course will be added to Fire Safe Marin’s contractor guide, helping residents find professionals trained in wildfire retrofitting. The list will grow as more licensed contractors earn their badge of completion.
“I just opened my Wildfire Home Evaluation Risk Report and it recommends ember-resistant vents, replacing my wooden gate with a noncombustible option and fixing other areas that are vulnerable to fire. I wanted to get make these safety improvements, but where do I even start and who could help me do it right?
A contractor who understands how embers and flames ignite homes is something that is necessary in Marin. Someone who can explain the risks, help me choose the most effective upgrades and then do the work correctly.”
– Lucy K., resident of San Rafael since 2019
Helping homeowners take action
For residents, knowing where to start can be a challenge. A personalized Wildfire Risk Report identifies priorities, but projects such as upgrading a deck, replacing the siding of a house, or improving fencing connected to the home in the first five feet may require professional help. A knowledgeable contractor can help make those next steps more efficient and manageable.
Insurance concerns can add urgency for many residents. Homeowners are encouraged to ask their insurers which improvements may qualify for discounts and what documentation they need to attain those discounts. Although risk reduction cannot guarantee insurance coverage or renewal, making the safety upgrades pay off in other ways, such as reducing maintenance needs and increasing long-term home durability.
Building practical contractor skills for real projects
Participants learn how embers, heat and flames threaten homes, and how to reduce the chances of ignition from those sources through specific retrofitting, building materials and construction options. The course helps contractors guide clients toward effective, cost-conscious improvements while considering appearance, property value and home insurance concerns.
Short quizzes reinforce the lessons, and participants receive a Retrofitting for Wildfire Handbook to keep as a reference tool. Those who successfully complete the training earn a unique badge of completion as a way to demonstrate their additional training to prospective clients.
Whether wildfire retrofits are already part of your work or an area of your business you want to grow, the Fire Safe Academy course offers an effective way to strengthen your skills. Visit the Retrofitting for Wildfire training course webpage for more information.
A Spanish language version of the course is under development. It will be available soon and more details will be announced as it nears completion.
The Fire Safe Academy’s “Retrofitting for Wildfire” contractor training course is produced by Fire Safe Marin and made possible through a generous grant from Marin Community Foundation and the support of Marin Wildfire and the Marin Builders Association.
