Disaster and Fire Prep

"Be Prepared" The Boyscout's motto has never felt more applicable than it does today. With wild fires, lightning storms and everything else going on, we wanted to provide you a resource for getting your own family as prepared to face these disasters as possible. To do that, we've summarized the information we've gathered from some web pages that we've found helpful and we hope that you find them helpful too.

If you'd like to get some in person advice, call John at 408-823-3600 and he'll be happy to share what he's learned during his time as a scout leader.

For advice on what to look out for while returning home after a fire, click here

Before a Wildfire

Create a Wildfire Action Plan for your family. Being ready to go also means knowing when to evacuate and what to do if you become trapped.
Make sure you monitor wildfires in your area and know your community’s emergency response plan, evacuation orders and evacuation centers.
Sign up for alerts from your local county or city.

While Under Evacuation Warning/Advisory

Once the warning or notice comes down, you should remember the 6 Ps, according to the USDA:

A Plan for the persons in your family (including a meeting place.)
Personal items (including toiletries, food and water for two to three days and special personal possessions.)
Prescriptions - Have your full, current supply of prescriptions packed.
Photographs (and other mementos) which cannot be replaced.
Pets (Have a plan in place and pets secured so frightened pets don’t escape fenced yards or kennels.)
Papers - Pack all important papers, including reference phone numbers, account numbers, etc.
Do a walk through of your home and yard with your phone and create a video record of everything you own in case you need it for insurance later. If possible, upload to cloud for secure storage.

An advisory is also the best time to move a person with mobility or medical issues as well as any livestock or large animals.

To see if you are currently under preparation warning go to: www.sccgov.org

When Under Evacuation Order

Review your Evacuation Plan Checklist.
Ensure your Emergency Supply Kit/Evacuation Bag is in your vehicle.
Cover up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, dry bandanna for face cover, goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is preferable.
Locate your pets and take them with you.

Emergency Supply Kit

The American Red Cross recommends every family have an emergency supply kit assembled long before a wildfire or other emergency occurs. Use the checklist below to help assemble yours.

Face masks or coverings
Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day).
Non-perishable food for all family members and pets (three-day supply).
First aid kit.
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries.
An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks.
Sanitation supplies.
Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Important family documents and contact numbers.
Map marked with evacuation routes.
Prescriptions or special medications.
Family photos and other irreplaceable items.
Easily carried valuables.
Personal computers (information on hard drives and disks).
Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc

Items to take if time allows:

Easily carried valuables
Family photos and other irreplaceable items
Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
Chargers for cellphones, laptops, etc.

*Initial Summary taken from www.ksbw.com