About Us

Grand County Wildfire Council (GCWC) is a non-profit, community-based education and mitigation program for the residents and visitors of Grand County, Colorado. Our group consists of members from local, state, and federal government agencies, our local fire departments, homeowner groups, local businesses, and concerned citizens…

Our Mission

“Through collaboration, education and action, engage in wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and survival.”

Our Vision

GCWC will provide a countywide platform that connects practitioners to develop a collective voice to better advocate for wildfire resiliency.

Draft Strategic View

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of five to nine members. Members of the Board represent wildfire-centric organizations, coalitions or collaborative groups with a vested interest in local wildfire issues. The Board of Directors will have primary oversight for setting the strategic course of Grand County Wildfire Council and for the review and approval of major programs and plans. Elections to the Board of Directors take place during the first official meeting of each calendar year. Board members serve for a term of two years and are not term-limited. Terms are staggered so that the entire Board does not turn over in any given year. The Board of Directors meets as needed to maintain Council business and programs.

Board Chairperson: Brad White, Grand Fire Protection District
Board Vice Chair: Merrit Linke, District II County Commissioner

Board Secretary: Brian Faith, Grand Lake Fire Protection District
Board Treasurer: Schelly Olson, Grand County Property Owner (Grand Lake)

Board Director: Ryan McNertney, Colorado State Forest Service

Board Director: Ken Wright, Grand County Resident (Grand Lake)

Board Director: Philip Brinkmann, Grand County Resident (Granby)

Board Director: Mary Sangster, Grand County Resident (Granby)

Board Director: Amy Sidener, Department of Natural Resources

The BoD may hire, at its discretion when funding is available, staff to help administer the mission, vision, and programs of the Council.

Executive Director: Jessica Rahn, Grand County Resident (Granby)

Mitigation Specialist-Program Manager: We are recruiting for an energetic, creative, and
well-organized Mitigation Specialist-Program Manager to manage mitigation programs and
provide technical expertise in our nonprofit organization. This position is supported by
funding from the Grand Fire District (GFD) and is considered a joint employee between GFD
and GCWC. Please review the job posting below and apply!

Mitigation Specialist-Program Manager Job Posting

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of the Grand County Wildfire Council consists of individuals and agencies who support the mission and objectives of the Council and shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors on the direction of the Council. There shall be no membership entitlements in the steering committee; rather, the committee shall be comprised of anyone who is present at a quarterly Steering Committee meeting.

Ideally, members shall represent the following classes of stakeholders, including but not limited to:

Grand County Fire Protection Districts
Grand County Government, including the Board of Commissioners, the Department of Natural Resources, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of Emergency Management
City / town governments within Grand County
Homeowner Associations, Management Agencies, and other Community Representatives
State and Federal Agencies, such as the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.
Interested Individuals and Organizations representing business, tourism, real estate, ranching, philanthropy, communications, electric power, natural gas transportation, and concerned members of the public, such as the Middle Park Conservation District, Denver Water, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy, Western Area Power Administration and Mountain Parks Electric, Chambers of Commerce, Headwaters Trails Alliance, Grand County Tourism, insurance agencies, builders/developers, etc…

Education Committee

The Education Committee consists of members of the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee who are interested in helping educate the public on wildfire prevention and preparedness. A subset of the Education Committee also specializes in helping interested communities and HOAs receive Firewise USA designation. To join this committee, email bewildfireready@gmail.com.

Mitigation Committee

The Mitigation Committee consists of members of the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee who are actively involved in wildfire mitigation and/or have an interest in furthering mitigation efforts throughout the county. To join this committee, email bewildfireready@gmail.com.