California is burning.
Yes, again. Today as we write in Santa Barbara,
Sylmar and Diamond bar in L.A. County, OrangeCounty and perhaps in
additional places as the winds blow.
The good news is that we here in the Fire State are getting better at putting them out. The bad news is that there are other states under siege as well.
The really bad news is that Mother Nature is the cause of so much of the danger. We all know that fighting Mother Nature will cost you and maybe kill you.
How close, Lois? 3 miles from the Santa Barbara Mission which is 4 blocks from me. This below from our NIUSR Chief of Staff, Dan Lemon
Firefighting has to be one of the toughest activities anywhere... heavy duty physical and mental work, facing danger and fatigue, battling wind... heat... dry, dealing with every uncooperative element of society and government, assessing and enduring risks, seeing suffering and death up close, losing some, always facing resource limitations, having to live with human errors.
Firefighting has to be one of the most rewarding activities anywhere... conquering danger, being heroes, often saving lives and property, surviving, "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat," knowing a bunch, making a vital difference, conquering fear, getting hugs and other genuine appreciation, trusting in higher powers, leading up, down and sideways better than most.
Hurray for the difference they make!,
Added Note: This week before the Tea Fire (don't you love the names?) in Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara, NIUSR who is based there, had issued a directive to its cadres, to not only prepare for the California state-wide Earthquake SHAKE OUT this November, but also to use that day to put together a simple, basic Evacuation Kit and to keep it ready.
Never let your car gas tank get below half full. SUGGESTED EVACUATION READY KIT Change of dry clothes; hat with brim, sunglasses, extra reading glasses Electronic communications, cell, Blackberry, car charger Down sweater or jacket; Extra Wool sweater or vest Rain poncho with hood Aluminum square "blanket" Wool blanket Medicines as needed Passport; Social Security Card Other valuable papers, Mortgage? heh,heh Priority Telephone Access Card (if available) A Real Knife, with a sharpened blade and sheath Screwdriver /large, Phillip head screwdriver/small, pliers, wrench FLASHLIGHT , Extra Batteries Carrying Case (We suggested a Tool box, waterproof ,(shaped like a LARGE #10 envelope, about 18 inches long and about 6 plus inches deep,) with a handle on top. See what your local hardware store has to offer. DO NOT buy one of those tin boxes that the stational store sells to keep papers "safe". Have you ever seen a square legal paper? Remember you may have to leave your vehicle. Consider weight.
WATER
IN AN EXTRA WATERPROOF BOX The bulkier clothing that won't fit in the above tool box MORE WATER Battery Operated Lamp, FLASHING? Radio, battery Operated Lots of extra Batteries You may want to add?' Small Hack Saw Small Axe Light Weight Mall Red Cross First Aid 2 day Pack
Consider carefully photo albums, wedding albums, jewelry (wear it) etc. When you are evacuating the object is STAY ALIVE THINK - MEMORIES REMAIN, LIFE IS FRAGILE
If you have time and you probably won't. dress for survival. Boots, a HAT. layers for warmth or to shed if it turns hot. You know the drill.
Having self-evacuated 5 times in the last 6 months this is getting to be an old song for me. Each time I discover one thing I wish I had as well as something I will not bother with nest time. If you are not "lucky" enough to have all these dry runs, NIUSR suggests you make a family "game" of it for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Pack together and talk it over.
NIUSR is glad our advice to our cadre has proven useful. One member was ordered to evacuate from the TEA Fire this week. GO from the fire area three days ago. He and his early teen-age son had decided before school started this fall, to take a 5 day Mountain Survival course in Kings Canyon National Park.
Roger was downtown at work late and cut off from home when the sudden evacuation order came. The order was quickly spread by fire, police , radio, and TV. His son at home was a great help to his mother and younger siblings as they got out QUICK and in good order and drove immediately to their pre-determined location pre-decided "IF". We do not know if the family home has survived the fire as yet.
How about that? True story. Not making any of this up. You just NEVER know. Take a little advice and improve upon it. Your common sense will be a better guide than this list, we are sure. But these suggestions WILL work in a pinch. We may have forgotten something obvious on this list. Be Prepared and remember YOUR BEST SURVIVAL TOOL that you always carry with you IS YOUR BRAIN. Best of Luck.
Lois Clark McCoy, President │ National Institute for Urban Search & Rescue │ PO Box 91648, Santa Barbara, CA93190 Phone 800-767-0093 805-569-5066 │ Cell 805-798-0169 │ email niusr@cox.net
