IBHS News Releases

Tampa - A joint project to demonstrate how existing homes can be protected from natural disasters has received the 2004 Wildfire Education Award by the Federal Alliance For Safe Homes (FLASH).

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and Firewise partnered with the Florida Division of Forestry, Alachua County Fire Rescue as well as several public and private groups to renovate a 20-year old home in a heavily wooded subdivision near Gainesville.

Because the home faced the threat of wildfires as well as hurricanes, changes were made to the exterior walls, roof, fence and landscaping, to reduce exposure and add protection, also know as a “retrofit.”  Improvements were based on Firewise criteria and the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s “Fortified…for safer living” program.

“We have demonstrated that even existing homes in Alachua County’s wildland-urban interface can be made more resistant to the effects of wildfire,” said Fire Chief Will May, Jr.  “I hope this project serves as a model for new and existing homes across the state of Florida.”

FLASH presented a plaque and a $1,000 award to the group January 23, to support ongoing efforts to strengthen homes and safeguard families from wildfires.

“It is our honor to recognize the Division of Forestry, Institute for Business & Home Safety, and the Working Team,” said FLASH President Leslie Chapman-Henderson.  “This innovative initiative demonstrates the invaluable benefits of using Firewise practices in home construction, remodeling and landscaping.”

For more information on the “Fortified…for safer living” program, click here.

For more information on Firewise, click here.  There are links on their web site's home page to a video on the project and a virtual tour explaining some of the improvements that were made.

IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of insurers and re-insurers to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.