August 18, 2021 | Robert Oatey Presentation for Highland Firewise; Evac Updates, App Updates
Santa Cruz, California, August 18, 2021:
Presentation by Robert Oatey, Interim Fire Chief of Santa Cruz
Chief Robert Oatey provided valuable information about wildfire preparedness to about 20 neighbors/attendees at last week’s meeting. Here is a summary of the presentation and answers to attendees’ questions.
Neighbors meet to learn about wildfire prep and how best to communicate as a neighborhood to prepare in case of evacuations.
Reminder: Have a Plan!
Planning is key to everyone’s safety. These ideas can help you construct an effective safety plan for yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors:
Have ‘Go Bags’ ready, each with a copy of the “Ready-Set-Go” flyer inside (flyer and recommended “Go Bag” items are on www.highlandfirewise.org/resources).
Have a neighborhood communication plan. Neighbors play a critical role in helping each other prepare for wildfires ahead of time and keeping each other informed of evacuation orders and updates. Make sure you have phone numbers for your closest neighbors, and let each other know who is home, who has left, and where they have gone.
Identify neighbors who need help during a fire so you can offer assistance.
Designate ONE POINT of CONTACT outside Santa Cruz that your family calls in case of emergency evacuation, such as a relative or a family friend.
Determine 2 evacuation routes out of your neighborhood and make sure everyone in your house knows them.
Use evacuation alert mobile apps like Reverse 911, CODE Red. Download and register to get up-to-date information on nearby fire activity. More information on these apps is available at www.highlandfirewise.org/resources.
Fire Chief Robert Oatey talking to homeowners in the Highland Firewise Neighborhood about wildfire preparation
Home Hardening Helps Homeowners & Firefighters
Fuel, weather, and topography are three factors that determine how a wildfire will unfold. The job of firefighters is to control fires by removing one or more of these three factors. The job of homeowners is to do the key home hardening homework, such as creating defensible space and keeping flammable debris like leaves and other materials away from the house, off the roof, out of rain gutters, and around outside corners of the house, garage, and other buildings. Hardened homes allow firefighters to focus on extinguishing fires rather than preparing houses, so make sure you remove leaves and debris on a routine basis.
Santa Cruz Fire Department Wildfire Prevention Update for Summer 2021
Chief Oatey gave these updates on local wildfire prevention projects:
Vegetation has been cut back in open areas surrounding Santa Cruz, and mechanical and hand crews have created shaded fuel breaks in key areas. Work was paid for with Santa Cruz city budget funds and grants.
The Santa Cruz Fire department and other city departments are working together to move homeless individuals from outdoor encampments like Pogonip, and will close open areas in the event of a wildfire threat.
Questions from Neighbors
Q: How do we know if local firefighters have been dispatched for a fire?
A: Check wildfire alert apps. FireDispatchSC and PulsePoint both provide nearly instant updates for most local fire-related emergencies, and FireScan offers a slightly delayed feed of Santa Cruz Fire Dispatch information.
Q: Should you shut off your gas if you leave your house during a wildfire evacuation?
A: During a wildfire evacuation, you do not need to turn off natural gas for your home, but leave a wrench next to the shutoff so firefighters can turn it off if necessary. The gas shutoff note in emergency literature stems mostly from earthquake situations, when you should turn off gas in case pipes shift or break and release gas.
Remember that once gas is turned off, you CANNOT turn it back on. That MUST be done by PG&E, or you may inadvertently cause a fire if a pilot light was left on and the appliance lights up when gas is turned back on.
Q: Where should we store propane tanks if there’s an approaching wildfire?
A: If you have the space, store propane tanks at least 20 feet away from all structures in the middle of a non-combustible area like a large patio or driveway. If you do not have the space, store tanks inside the garage but away from the immediate outside of your house.
Q: If I plan to leave my house because of a wildfire or other emergency, what information should I give my neighbors?
A: Aside from information about where to reach you, make sure neighbors know the location of the gas shutoff (leave a wrench), the breaker/fuse box, and the main water shutoff (in case there’s an earthquake).
If you have questions about the meeting on August 18 or if you need information on home hardening and planning for wildfires, visit www.highlandfirewise.org/resources or send an email to info@highlandfirewise.org.
About Highland Firewise
Highland Firewise is a group of neighbor-volunteers dedicated to protecting our homes, reducing Wildland Fire hazards in the WUI open spaces, and increasing fire-safety awareness in our neighborhood. As a nationally-certified Firewise Neighborhood, the all-volunteer group fosters community involvement by building partnerships and finding resources to mitigate fire danger. Since 2018, Highland Firewise has partnered with local and state fire officials to identify and develop plans to clear fire fuel debris from wildfire-prone WUI areas. On May 1st, 2021, the group hosted the area’s first Wildfire Awareness Day event, providing wildfire safety information to approximately 100 residents living between High Street and UCSC in Santa Cruz. The event was attended by California Representative Jimmy Panetta, who praised the event as “the kind of thing neighborhoods need to do to help each other protect themselves and their homes from wildfires.”www.highlandfirewise.org.
About Firewise USA
The national Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise® Site. www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
Newsletter produced by Highland Firewise Core Team Members Shareen Bell, Tiffany Zachmeier, Dagmar Dolatschko with contributions from others team members and the public