Community Spotlight: Meet Stephen Watson and The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council

The Basics

Stephen Watson

Executive Director of the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council (VRFSC)

Can you please share more about yourself and the mission of the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council (VRFSC)?

About me

My name is Stephen Watson and I am the Executive Director of the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council (VRFSC).  I am relatively new to this role but have worked at VRFSC for about two years now.  Since joining, I have been dedicated to advancing the mission of the Fire Safe Council and addressing the unique challenges of running a nonprofit. If any of you have worked at or helped manage a nonprofit, you probably know a bit about the challenges I’m talking about! 

Not counting my time as a costume character at Universal Studios (I’ll share those stories another time…), my professional journey began while pursuing a Masters in Psychology and Counseling, where I discovered a few things–my deep-rooted commitment to serving those in need and my endless curiosity. As a therapist, I helped to support people of all walks of life through their unique and individual struggles. Eventually I transitioned into a managerial role at a specialized therapy center for teens and families. It was during this time that I actively participated in the establishment of a nonprofit community mental health center, providing affordable therapy services to families and adolescents in need. Serving as Secretary and Treasurer of this nonprofit further solidified my understanding of nonprofit management and fueled my desire to make a meaningful impact.

Assuming the role of Executive Director in March 2023, I have been proud to lead the VRFSC and contribute to its growth and development. Understanding the challenges and opportunities inherent in the nonprofit landscape, I have prioritized restructuring key operational areas, including grant management, and financial administration. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, I strive to create a culture of resilience and preparedness within Ventura County.

About VRFSC

The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council (VRFSC) has been a pillar of support for Ventura County since its establishment in 2009. Driven by an active Board and a dedicated team of six full-time staff members, VRFSC is committed to enhancing fire resilience and providing relief to at-risk communities in the region. Through our comprehensive range of grant-funded programs, we offer an array of no-cost services to the residents of Ventura County.

One of our flagship programs is our provision of free home wildfire risk assessments. Our trained staff visit homeowners' properties, engage in a collaborative process to identify vulnerabilities, and offer expert recommendations to fortify their homes against the threat of wildfires. In some cases, we even cover the costs of implementing these essential retrofits, ensuring that homeowners can safeguard their properties without bearing any financial burden. Additionally, we extend chipping services to neighborhoods, facilitating the removal of yard waste such as tree branches, enabling communities to more easily maintain their defensible space.

At the core of our mission is education, as we wholeheartedly believe that empowering the community with knowledge is paramount. We strive to instill a sense of agency and resilience in individuals, families, and neighborhoods, demonstrating that they have the capacity to protect themselves and their loved ones.

If you are concerned about the risks posed by wildfires, we encourage you to reach out to us. Together, we can make a difference and foster a safer and more prepared community.

Who has made a strong impact on your life and has helped you to get you where you are today?

Would it be too strange if I said my therapist? Hah! 

In all seriousness, Elaine Himelfarb, one of the former Executive Directors of the VRFSC, has left an indelible mark on my life. Despite my background primarily being in the mental health field, Elaine took a leap of faith by hiring me a few years ago. Under her guidance, I was able to thrive and develop within VRFSC. Elaine's visionary leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the Fire Safe Council into what it is today, as many of our current programs originated from her innovative ideas.

During our time working together, which spanned a little over a year, I gained invaluable knowledge and experiences from Elaine, both on a professional and personal level. Her mentorship and support gave me the confidence to assume the role of Executive Director. Although Elaine has since relocated to San Diego, I consider myself lucky to maintain a friendship with her. I make it a point to visit her every few months, cherishing the opportunity to catch up. Her absence at VRFSC is deeply felt by all of us.

Elaine Himelfarb's influence continues to resonate, and her legacy remains an integral part of our organization's journey.

Thank you, Elaine!

What are some recent highlights at VRFSC? And what events, milestones and steps are in VRFSC’s near future? 

In partnership with local Fire Departments and our many valued partners, VRFSC has grown to become the leading resource in wildfire education and preparedness in Ventura County. Over the past year, VRFSC engaged with over 1,700 community members through in person educational events and has conducted nearly 200 one-hour home hardening assessments with individual residents. By cultivating partnerships with regional and statewide funding agencies, VRFSC has expanded the home hardening program to include providing no-cost home hardening retrofits and defensible space modifications to at-risk community members. Thus far, VRFSC has improved over 10 parcels for low-income seniors and Thomas Fire victims. VRFSC has also made great strides in hazardous fuels mitigation in Ventura County–in just the last few months, VRFSC has partnered with independent contractors and Ventura County Fire Department to trim over 10 hazardous palms and conduct 3 curbside chipper events in high-fire locations throughout the county.

 VRFSC is looking to grow and deepen the impact of all existing programs in the near future, as well as cultivate new connections with resilience groups and community leaders. A particularly exciting program that VRFSC plans to develop in the coming months is the NFPA's Firewise certification. Firewise is a designation that neighborhood groups can apply for that indicates a shared commitment to communal wildfire safety and has been shown to improve insurance coverage and lower premiums. Presently, there are only two Firewise communities in Ventura County, although recently VRFSC has hosted workshops with 6 interested groups. VRFSC plans to usher in as many communities as possible along the path to Firewise certification. Additionally, VRFSC recently updated the countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and plans to develop a number of localized plans in the coming months. These CWPPs are essential for laying the groundwork for wildfire preparedness across the county and securing continued funding for all supportive programs.

What about VRFSC is special to you, what would you like our readers to know?

The work we do at VRFSC is extremely rewarding. The opportunity to help people feel safer and more prepared for wildfire is priceless; although, our Finance and Admin Manager might disagree about the “priceless” part!  All jokes aside, I could elaborate endlessly on the benefits VRFSC brings to our diverse communities, but in all honesty, what makes VRFSC special is its people. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to collaborate with our exceptional Board of Directors, who selflessly volunteer their time to provide mentorship, leadership, unwavering support, and much more. Additionally, the entire staff are rockstars and truly committed to doing good work. I really can’t thank them enough.

Why did you think it was important to become an organizational member of the CNL? What do you value most about your membership?

I firmly believe that seeking help and guidance is one of my biggest strengths. In my journey, I have always recognized the importance of learning from mentors and seeking the expertise of experienced individuals. That's why CNL has been an invaluable resource for me, filling the gaps in my working knowledge and providing me with a platform to enhance my skills. The training courses offered by CNL have been instrumental in my professional development, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from their diverse offerings.

One aspect of CNL that I truly cherish is the networking opportunities it provides. Attending these courses has not only expanded my knowledge on specific topics but has also allowed me to connect with other nonprofit organizations in Ventura County. The ability to learn from and collaborate with fellow professionals in the sector is invaluable. CNL excels in fostering a warm and inclusive learning environment, where individuals from different organizations come together to share insights, experiences, and best practices. This networking aspect has been almost as beneficial as the courses themselves, enabling me to broaden my perspective and build meaningful connections within the nonprofit community.

How can the community support you? Where can they find you on social media?

Honestly, the easiest way the community can support us is by checking out our website, signing up for any programs we have to offer (they’re all free), and reaching out to us with questions!  I like to think that we’re a friendly group of people, and we would be thrilled to help in any way we can.

Our website is www.VenturaFireSafe.org

That being said, we are almost entirely grant funded. Because of that, we always have a need for monetary support and donations. Any financial support will allow us to continue serving Ventura County and grant us the ability to make an even larger impact. We are lucky to have the current support from our funders, but these grants often come with restrictions. Donations from the community allow us the flexibility to provide our services to everyone, especially those who need it most. VRFSC is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, therefore your donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/venturaregionalfsc/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/venturafiresafe/

Anything else you would like to add? 

I want to take a moment to thank CNL for the honor of highlighting us and our work. We appreciate all that CNL has done for us and other nonprofits in Ventura County.

Lastly, if there is anyone reading this who is interested in our programs, potential partnerships, sponsorships, or anything else please do not hesitate to reach out!

Our office number is 805-746-7365 or email us at info@venturafiresafe.org.

We look forward to hearing from you.