Community Risk Reduction Committee
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANTED
Subject: Community Risk Reduction Committee
Help Shape a Safer, More Prepared Avenal
The Avenal Fire Department is seeking community members interested in serving on the newly established Community Risk Reduction Committee.
This Fire Department-hosted committee will bring together residents and community partners to help identify local safety risks, better understand who is most affected, and develop practical solutions to make Avenal safer and more resilient.
What Will the Committee Do?
Committee members will work with the Fire Department to:
- Review local fire, medical, traffic collision, emergency preparedness, and other community risk information;
- Identify safety concerns affecting Avenal residents and neighborhoods;
- Provide local knowledge and community perspectives that may not be visible through emergency response data alone;
- Help identify populations or areas that may face greater risk or barriers to safety resources;
- Recommend priorities for prevention, preparedness, education, and community outreach;
- Help develop practical solutions and community partnerships; and
- Evaluate whether community safety efforts are making a meaningful difference.
Potential areas of focus may include residential fire safety, smoke alarms, wildland and vegetation fire risk, defensible space, traffic collisions, cardiac arrest and CPR, older-adult falls, emergency preparedness, CERT, extreme heat, power outages, and other local hazards.
Who Should Apply?
You do not need to be a firefighter or public safety expert.
The Fire Department is looking for people who know and care about Avenal.
We encourage applications from:
- Residents from all areas of the city;
- Parents and families;
- Youth and education representatives;
- Older adults;
- Spanish-speaking community members;
- Persons with disabilities and those familiar with access and functional needs;
- Renters and homeowners;
- Local businesses, agriculture, and industry;
- Healthcare and social service providers;
- Faith-based and nonprofit organizations;
- CERT and emergency preparedness participants; and
- Residents who have not traditionally participated in City committees or local government.
The goal is to create a committee that, taken as a whole, provides the Fire Department with a broad and credible picture of the Avenal community.
How Will Members Be Selected?
This is not a competitive employment process, and applicants will not be scored or ranked.
The Fire Department will review the applicant pool as a whole and select a balanced group of community members who bring different:
- Neighborhood perspectives;
- Ages and life experiences;
- Community connections;
- Languages and cultural perspectives;
- Housing and economic experiences;
- Areas of knowledge; and
- Experiences with local risks.
If important parts of the community are not represented in the initial applicant pool, the Fire Department may conduct additional outreach before filling all available seats.
Time Commitment
The Committee is expected to:
- Meet approximately every month;
- Meet for approximately 90 minutes;
- Participate in meaningful discussions about community safety;
- Review information provided by the Fire Department; and
- Help identify practical solutions and next steps.
Members are expected to listen respectfully, consider different viewpoints, and focus on what is best for the community as a whole.
Interested in Serving?
Community members interested in participating are encouraged to submit a brief application.
Application Period: July 27, 2026
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
How to Apply:
Your Experience Matters. Your Perspective Matters. Your Community Needs Your Voice.
Join the Avenal Fire Department in building a safer, more prepared, and more resilient Avenal.
Register with the QR code or should you require any additional information, please feel free to contact me at (559) 401-8626 or jmcafee@avenalfd.gov.