We all watched in horror as fires raged in Southern California last month. Joining firefighters from across California, Canada and Mexico were eight Alameda Fire Department (AFD) members.
AFD personnel assigned to the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles worked 72 hours straight upon arrival; others were deployed to the Eaton Fire in nearby Altadena to operate AFD’s equipment and help an urban search-and-rescue team find missing residents. All eight have now returned safely to Alameda. So when you see a firefighter be sure to say, “Thank you!”
Could it happen here? As mayor, my top priority is the health and safety of our residents. I asked Alameda Fire Chief Nick Luby, a 26-year fire service veteran, how residents can prepare for and protect themselves from catastrophic fires.
Luby says typical Alameda weather patterns do not present conditions conducive to a firestorm like the ones in Los Angeles County last month, but climate change could result in changes to our weather patterns, such as excessive winds. Alameda is not in a wildfire hazard area but has a small chance of experiencing a wind-driven structure-to-structure fire that could create an “ember cast” (when heavy winds carry embers downwind to a new area) with the potential to start fires several blocks away.
“If we ever experience a structure-to-structure wind-driven conflagration, there is not much to do other than follow evacuation orders and move away from the impacted area,” Luby says. “Preservation of life is the Number One priority; material items can be replaced.”
Residents should identify areas close to their homes that could be used as a safe temporary refuge area, either during a wind-driven fire or post-earthquake as aftershocks continue to shake the ground. Examples of these areas are parks, parking lots, school playgrounds, the city’s Crown Memorial Beach or other large, nonflammable locations.
Residents should not store flammable debris or materials within five feet of their homes, to reduce the chance of debris or materials igniting if an ember lands on them and catches the structures on fire. Also remove dead vegetation close to homes. Chief Luby also offers the fire tips below.
Fire prevention: Keep flammable materials (curtains, papers, cleaning supplies) away from heat sources. Place fire extinguishers in key areas (kitchen, garage, near fireplaces). Do not overload electrical circuits. Never leave your stove unattended while cooking; turn off heat sources when not in use. Clean lint from laundry dryer vents after every load.
Fire preparation: Create a fire escape plan: Identify two exits from every room (doors/windows). Establish a safe meeting place outside for family (e.g. a mailbox or neighbor’s house). Teach children how to escape on their own if necessary.
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and level of your home. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries annually (unless sealed with 10-year batteries). Consider interconnected alarms that all sound when one detects smoke.
Periodically check with your insurance carrier to ensure adequate coverage for rebuilding and long-term housing (rental costs). Unfortunately, as construction costs continue to rise, many individuals discover that they were underinsured after a fire.
Document your home’s contents with video or photos once a year to help prove all your losses if you must make an insurance claim. Be sure to include the contents of drawers, cabinets and closets. Scan and place family photos in an online cloud, (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Do this also for important documents such as passports, other IDs, insurance policies, trusts, etc.
Prepare a “go bag” that can be quickly accessed and taken with you. Include important documents such as the ones just mentioned. Include emergency contacts and phone numbers. This will help if you don’t have your cell phone or if it is inoperable. Also included a backup phone charger; a seven-day supply of medications, written list of medications and doses and small first-aid kit; cash and credit cards; a change of clothes, shoes and toiletries; pet supplies (leash, food, medications); a flashlight and batteries. If possible, place “go bags” just inside a garage door for easy access from outside.
If house catches fire: Evacuate immediately. Do not stop for belongings or pets. Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation. Feel doors before opening. If they’re hot, find another exit. Use stairs, never elevators. Escape through windows, if necessary. If you are trapped, signal for help by waving a cloth or flashlight from a window and yelling.
If you can safely access your “go bag,” grab it; otherwise, evacuate and retrieve it if possible once the fire is extinguished. Alert others: Yell to wake family members; alert neighbors if the fire in your home threatens theirs.
Once outside, call 911 immediately from a safe location.
Do not go back inside for any reason. The fire can double in size every minute, so what was bearable when you exited will be much different if you try to re-enter.
When first responders arrive, tell them where any unaccounted individuals were last seen inside the home.
After a fire: Wait for fire officials to declare your home safe to enter. They will most likely escort you in. Contact your insurance company ASAP. Request an advance payment if you need emergency housing. Take photos and videos of damage for documentation. Secure your property: Board up broken windows and doors to prevent theft and further damage and reduce your liability.
Find short-term temporary housing with family, friends, or at a hotel. Salvage and clean what you can. Retrieve important documents if possible. Use professional help to clean smoke-damaged items. Replace the important documents previously mentioned. Consider getting a post office box if you no longer have a mailing address after the fire.
Being resilient: Sign up for Alameda CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training. This hybrid Zoom and online training combined with a hands-on Skills Weekend will teach you to provide emergency assistance to your family and neighbors.
“The more CERT members we have, the more resilient we will be post-disaster,” Chief Luby says.
For more information call 510-337-2129 or email cert@alamedaca.gov. Be Alameda Strong, Safe and Resilient!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. For contact information and other details, visit bit.ly/mayorashcraft online.