The Foresthill Fire Protection District (FFPD) serves the greater Foresthill area including Todd Valley, Baker Ranch, Michigan Bluff and Sugar Pine. The district provides local advanced life support to the community following the merge with Foresthill Ambulance Service. Fire stations located in Foresthill and in Todd Valley respond to structure and wild land fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. The District is staffed by firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics. Our offices are located in downtown Foresthill at 24320 Main Street and are (barring emergency) open during normal business hours. The FFPD sponsors many activities, including, the Foresthill Fire Safe Council, which meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the district office. Fire permits are also available at the district office. The Foresthill Volunteer Firefighters supplement firefighter support for the Fire Protection District employees when complicated emergency calls require additional personnel.
The Foresthill Volunteer Firefighter Association (FVFA) is a non-profit association, sponsoring community activities such as the 4th of July celebration, Easter egg hunt, fire boot drives, and performing fund raising events, such as the famous garage sale, Little Reno and others. Funds obtained through fund raising and donations are used to help purchase fire equipment, fire turnouts, boots and other equipment and supplies the district can not afford. Funds are also used to give back to the community by sponsoring school activities, community functions and special events.
Want to learn more, click HERE for Roofsaversprinklers.com
Tips and Important policies homeowners should know to protect their home against wildfire destruction and damage.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wildland-Urban Building Code Information
Wildland-Urban Interface Building Code Information
On September 20, 2005, the California Building Standards Commission approved the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s emergency regulations amending the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 2, known as the 2007 California Building Code (CBC).
“701A.3.2
New Buildings Located in Any Fire Hazard Severity Zone. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas, any Local Agency Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, or any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with one of the following:
1. State Responsibility Areas.
New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas, for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
2. Local Agency Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
New buildings located in any Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
3. Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency.
New buildings located in any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
OBJECTIVE
The broad objective of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimum standards for materials and material assemblies and provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. The use of ignition resistant materials and design to resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire (wildfire exposure) will prove to be the most prudent effort California has made to try and mitigate the losses resulting from our repeating cycle of interface fire disasters. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) revised the mandatory effective date for those areas where local government has responsibility for wildland fire protection (LRA) to July 1, 2008, to enable local government agencies more time to review and accept the fire hazard severity zone maps that will be presented to them formally after the new year.
FHSZ MAPS
The existing FHSZ maps are being updated pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 4201 – 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 – 51189. CAL FIRE completed the public hearings for the adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) for those areas of California where the state has fiscal responsibility for wildland fire protection, known as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). CAL FIRE’s intent is to complete the SRA FHSZ adoption by December, 2007.
LOCAL VHFHSZ MAPS
CAL FIRE is preparing recommendations for Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in those areas where local government agencies have Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and will transmit those recommendations to local agencies in early 2008. During the fire hazard severity zone hearing for SRA, several local government officials asked for clarification of authorities and responsibilities associated with the adoption of these LRA VHFHSZ recommendations. Basic authorities and responsibilities for the LRA VHFHSZ are found in Government Code Sections 51175 – 51189. The purpose of this Government Code chapter is to classify lands in accordance with whether a very high fire hazard severity is present so that public officials are able to identify measures that will mitigate the rate of spread, and reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Government Code chapter defines responsibilities for CAL FIRE and for the local agency. In summary, Section 51178 and 51181 defines the CAL FIRE Director’s responsibility to identify very high fire hazard severity zones, transmit this information to local agencies, and to periodically review the recommendations. In part, Section 51178.5 and 51179 defines the local agency’s responsibility to make the recommendation available for public review and to designate, by ordinance, very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction. CAL FIRE is taking additional steps to ensure that the recommended very high fire hazard severity zones are as accurate as possible. Draft copies of the proposed VHFHSZ have been under field review and validation since January, 2007. An updated draft LRA recommendation was available this fall, 2007. This update will also reflect the comments received during the SRA FHSZ public hearings that may impact LRA zones.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
Unit level CAL FIRE staff has been instructed to assist local agencies in the review of the draft map recommendations. In addition to the very high fire hazard severity maps, CAL FIRE has mapped high and moderate fire hazard severity areas. This additional information will be made available to local agencies as part of the draft data and then upon request subsequent to the Director’s recommendation. The California Constitution grants basic authority for local agencies to adopt ordinances. This constitutional authority can be used to adopt high and/or moderate fire hazard severity areas or other wildland urban interface areas within the local jurisdiction. CAL FIRE Local Units also can address issues regarding the Chapter 7A standards. Health and Safety Code 13108.5 (c) and GC 51179 (b) provide insight on flexibility local agencies may have to modify fire protection building standards and defensible space requirements once VHFHSZs are adopted, based on local findings. While these sections of law do not provide exemptions for adopting the maps, they may provide authority to exclude fire protection require.
Click HERE to learn more about what you can do to save your house and property from a fire. Roofsaversprinklers.com
On September 20, 2005, the California Building Standards Commission approved the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s emergency regulations amending the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 2, known as the 2007 California Building Code (CBC).
“701A.3.2
New Buildings Located in Any Fire Hazard Severity Zone. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas, any Local Agency Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, or any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with one of the following:
1. State Responsibility Areas.
New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas, for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
2. Local Agency Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
New buildings located in any Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
3. Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency.
New buildings located in any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with all sections of this chapter.
OBJECTIVE
The broad objective of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimum standards for materials and material assemblies and provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. The use of ignition resistant materials and design to resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire (wildfire exposure) will prove to be the most prudent effort California has made to try and mitigate the losses resulting from our repeating cycle of interface fire disasters. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) revised the mandatory effective date for those areas where local government has responsibility for wildland fire protection (LRA) to July 1, 2008, to enable local government agencies more time to review and accept the fire hazard severity zone maps that will be presented to them formally after the new year.
FHSZ MAPS
The existing FHSZ maps are being updated pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 4201 – 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 – 51189. CAL FIRE completed the public hearings for the adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) for those areas of California where the state has fiscal responsibility for wildland fire protection, known as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). CAL FIRE’s intent is to complete the SRA FHSZ adoption by December, 2007.
LOCAL VHFHSZ MAPS
CAL FIRE is preparing recommendations for Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in those areas where local government agencies have Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and will transmit those recommendations to local agencies in early 2008. During the fire hazard severity zone hearing for SRA, several local government officials asked for clarification of authorities and responsibilities associated with the adoption of these LRA VHFHSZ recommendations. Basic authorities and responsibilities for the LRA VHFHSZ are found in Government Code Sections 51175 – 51189. The purpose of this Government Code chapter is to classify lands in accordance with whether a very high fire hazard severity is present so that public officials are able to identify measures that will mitigate the rate of spread, and reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Government Code chapter defines responsibilities for CAL FIRE and for the local agency. In summary, Section 51178 and 51181 defines the CAL FIRE Director’s responsibility to identify very high fire hazard severity zones, transmit this information to local agencies, and to periodically review the recommendations. In part, Section 51178.5 and 51179 defines the local agency’s responsibility to make the recommendation available for public review and to designate, by ordinance, very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction. CAL FIRE is taking additional steps to ensure that the recommended very high fire hazard severity zones are as accurate as possible. Draft copies of the proposed VHFHSZ have been under field review and validation since January, 2007. An updated draft LRA recommendation was available this fall, 2007. This update will also reflect the comments received during the SRA FHSZ public hearings that may impact LRA zones.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
Unit level CAL FIRE staff has been instructed to assist local agencies in the review of the draft map recommendations. In addition to the very high fire hazard severity maps, CAL FIRE has mapped high and moderate fire hazard severity areas. This additional information will be made available to local agencies as part of the draft data and then upon request subsequent to the Director’s recommendation. The California Constitution grants basic authority for local agencies to adopt ordinances. This constitutional authority can be used to adopt high and/or moderate fire hazard severity areas or other wildland urban interface areas within the local jurisdiction. CAL FIRE Local Units also can address issues regarding the Chapter 7A standards. Health and Safety Code 13108.5 (c) and GC 51179 (b) provide insight on flexibility local agencies may have to modify fire protection building standards and defensible space requirements once VHFHSZs are adopted, based on local findings. While these sections of law do not provide exemptions for adopting the maps, they may provide authority to exclude fire protection require.
Click HERE to learn more about what you can do to save your house and property from a fire. Roofsaversprinklers.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Home Evacuation Plan
Evacuation Plan
Having an evacuation plan is very important for your family. In an emergency, every second counts, so you want to be as prepared as possible. Evacuation plans can be useful for many different types of disasters: hurricanes, tsunamis, and statistically more common, house fires. House fires are one of the most common disasters people face in this country so it is important that everyone has an evacuation or fire escape plan, and practice it regularly. Watching the Family Emergency Preparedness Plan DVD can be very helpful in designing your plan.
Everyone in your family should know the plan, even the little ones, so set aside an evening when the whole family can get together to make your emergency escape plan. Follow these simple steps and you will be ready for evacuation.Evacuation plans can be life-saving for you and the ones you love. Disasters don't just happen to other people. They are very real and can happen to anyone at anytime. Take the time to plan and prepare and you will be very grateful you did.
Make a map of your home and include the following:· Label every exit, including doors, windows, and hallways, which may become a potential fire escape. · In every room, label the primary exit (usually a door or hallway) and a secondary exit (usually a window) in case the primary exit is blocked by smoke or flames. · Label every room where a family member sleeps. · Label the main shutoff valves of the gas, electricity, and water lines. · Establish a safe meeting place outside the home so everyone can be accounted for.
Practice your emergency evacuation plan. No evacuation plan will work unless it is practiced on a regular basis.· Involve everyone. It is important for everyone in the family to learn how to escape. You may even want to teach your children how to escape out of windows in case the door is unavailable to exit.
A good fire escape ladder is essential if your exit is through a second story window. You may want to arrange the furniture so a dresser or nightstand is under the window to make it easier to escape, especially through basement windows. ·
Place your 72 hour kits strategically near an exit so they are easy to grab in a hurry. When you practice, assign certain family members to be in charge of grabbing the emergency kit. · Practice turning off utilities (gas valves, etc.). Caution: Don't really turn off the gas. If you do the gas company will have to come out and turn it on again. A gas wrench is a useful tool for this. ·
Practice other life-saving habits such as always leaving a pair of shoes, gloves and a flashlight or lightstick at each person's bedside. · Practice with time in mind. Try running through your disaster plan at least 4 times each year and adjust your plan according to the ages of family members. Other Things to Keep in Mind:·
Designate an out-of-town and an out-of-state contact person for your family to call in case you separate. Have emergency and contact numbers posted by a phone and have everyone memorize the phone numbers. · Practice using your 72 hour kit supplies. Make sure you include a good first-aid kit, including Burnfree pain relieving gel.
Need fire protection for your home, check out Roofsaverssprinklers. http://www.thisismytownusa.com/roof-saver-sprinklers.php
Having an evacuation plan is very important for your family. In an emergency, every second counts, so you want to be as prepared as possible. Evacuation plans can be useful for many different types of disasters: hurricanes, tsunamis, and statistically more common, house fires. House fires are one of the most common disasters people face in this country so it is important that everyone has an evacuation or fire escape plan, and practice it regularly. Watching the Family Emergency Preparedness Plan DVD can be very helpful in designing your plan.
Everyone in your family should know the plan, even the little ones, so set aside an evening when the whole family can get together to make your emergency escape plan. Follow these simple steps and you will be ready for evacuation.Evacuation plans can be life-saving for you and the ones you love. Disasters don't just happen to other people. They are very real and can happen to anyone at anytime. Take the time to plan and prepare and you will be very grateful you did.
Make a map of your home and include the following:· Label every exit, including doors, windows, and hallways, which may become a potential fire escape. · In every room, label the primary exit (usually a door or hallway) and a secondary exit (usually a window) in case the primary exit is blocked by smoke or flames. · Label every room where a family member sleeps. · Label the main shutoff valves of the gas, electricity, and water lines. · Establish a safe meeting place outside the home so everyone can be accounted for.
Practice your emergency evacuation plan. No evacuation plan will work unless it is practiced on a regular basis.· Involve everyone. It is important for everyone in the family to learn how to escape. You may even want to teach your children how to escape out of windows in case the door is unavailable to exit.
A good fire escape ladder is essential if your exit is through a second story window. You may want to arrange the furniture so a dresser or nightstand is under the window to make it easier to escape, especially through basement windows. ·
Place your 72 hour kits strategically near an exit so they are easy to grab in a hurry. When you practice, assign certain family members to be in charge of grabbing the emergency kit. · Practice turning off utilities (gas valves, etc.). Caution: Don't really turn off the gas. If you do the gas company will have to come out and turn it on again. A gas wrench is a useful tool for this. ·
Practice other life-saving habits such as always leaving a pair of shoes, gloves and a flashlight or lightstick at each person's bedside. · Practice with time in mind. Try running through your disaster plan at least 4 times each year and adjust your plan according to the ages of family members. Other Things to Keep in Mind:·
Designate an out-of-town and an out-of-state contact person for your family to call in case you separate. Have emergency and contact numbers posted by a phone and have everyone memorize the phone numbers. · Practice using your 72 hour kit supplies. Make sure you include a good first-aid kit, including Burnfree pain relieving gel.
Need fire protection for your home, check out Roofsaverssprinklers. http://www.thisismytownusa.com/roof-saver-sprinklers.php
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Emergency Prepredness? How prepared are you?
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
How prepared are you?
Since 9/11, most of us have been focused on the emergency preparedness with potential terrorist threats or natural disasters. Very few of us have stopped to consider our own personal emergency preparedness plans to deal with emergencies.
Everyone needs to assess their ability to survive a terrorist threat, natural disaster, or something as simple as a stolen wallet. But attempting to sort through all the articles, websites and information advising what to do to prepare for emergencies is overwhelming.
Over the last years tornadoes, hurricanes, fire or other emergencies, you need to make a workable framework to use for our own personal emergency preparedness.
We want to share what we have done personally to prepare for emergencies in hopes that it helps you to better prepare for emergencies, big and small.
Important Documents:
Several of our friends have suffered through fires at their homes. In their haste to leave their homes, they found that their important documents were scattered all over the home and could just not be retrieved. One simple solution is to put all important documents, or copies of them, in a binder that can be easily taken out of the home in case of a quick evacuation. Our binders are bright red, clearly marked with “Emergency Binder,” and are placed in an easily accessible location, such as a bookcase or closet near the door. In the event of an impending hurricane, these binders can easily be placed in a large zip-lock bag to assure water-tightness if an evacuation is mandated or the roof leaks.
A selection of baby and marriage pictures or anything else that is precious should also be assembled and located with the emergency binders. Ask yourself: “If I can take only the number of pictures that I can carry, what would they be?” One solution is to scan your precious pictures into your computer and save them on a portable device such as a disk or jump drive.
Scanning your important documents might also be a solution, but be aware that certain documents needing an original signature or a notarized signature may not be acceptable if scanned and printed by computer.
Cash:
When the Year 2000 was approaching, we were told to stockpile a little cash in case the ATM machines did not work over the Millennium. That is still good advice today in the case of an emergency. Hurricanes, tornadoes and snowstorms frequently result in power outages. Cash may be your only option to purchase necessities. Whether it is $200 or $500 or more, having a little cash will prove useful in an emergency when the ATM machines are not working or where no one can take your credit or debit cards
.
Home Equipment:
A little soul-searching is in order to determine what items you would take with you if you had to leave in less than one hour. Would it be your computer, or iPod? How long would it take you to unhook all the wires? Thinking through how you would get everything in the car for all family members is another good exercise to go through.
Food Basics:
Purchase a three day supply of food for your family and put it in large plastic containers. Be sure the containers are sealed to keep out insects and rodents. You can prepare and consume the food, replacing it during our normal shopping trips.
If you choose to keep your “emergency supply” separate from your pantry items, be sure to note when the food is approaching the expiration dates. At that time, eat or donate the food to Area Food Banks and then immediately replace the food in the emergency supply.
First Aid Kits: Most of us have some sort of First Aid kit in the house. Pulling together what is really needed was an eye-opener. Most of the items can be purchased and kept for many years. It can also be used not only for emergencies like the ones discussed here, but for everyday cuts and scrapes.
Be sure to take the peculiarities of your family members into account when putting this kit together. One member may be allergic to iodine or another may have an issue with the pain medication. Think this through so that in the event an emergency, a sick or injured family member can be made as comfortable as possible until help arrives.
Communication Plans:
It is important to decide how family members are going to communicate with each other during an emergency, especially if they are separated geographically. Choose a remote location and a remote family member or friend who will act as the central communications point. Knowing where to go, if home is not an option, will relieve the problems
Care Decisions:
Perhaps one of the most overwhelming responsibilities that falls upon the spouse or children is that of care decisions. Many family disagreements, indecisions, and lawsuits are the result of poor planning regarding the care of a loved one in a medical emergency.
Your family needs to be aware of your wishes. A Living Will can take care of the big decisions, but there are many smaller issues that need to be addressed. Do you want to be placed in a nursing home if rehabilitation care is necessary? Do you want home care if you qualify? What if you don’t qualify for insurance benefits? Would your family know how to begin the process of getting state assistance, Medicare benefits, or enrollment in a research protocol? Who do you want to be the primary decision-maker of your daily care in the hospital, doctor’s office or care facility? Is one of your children more versed in healthcare than the others, and if so, how do you prepare your family members to listen and then participate in the decisions?
Preparing an obituary in the midst of mourning is overwhelming.. A potentially gut-wrenching task can become a joint venture in pre-writing her obituary. Funeral and obituary requests should be known long before there is an unexpected death in the family. Good Luck and do your homework. Cotact Roof Savers Sprinklers for help to prepare for a fire issue at: http://www.thisismytownusa.com/roof-saver-sprinklers.php
How prepared are you?
Since 9/11, most of us have been focused on the emergency preparedness with potential terrorist threats or natural disasters. Very few of us have stopped to consider our own personal emergency preparedness plans to deal with emergencies.
Everyone needs to assess their ability to survive a terrorist threat, natural disaster, or something as simple as a stolen wallet. But attempting to sort through all the articles, websites and information advising what to do to prepare for emergencies is overwhelming.
Over the last years tornadoes, hurricanes, fire or other emergencies, you need to make a workable framework to use for our own personal emergency preparedness.
We want to share what we have done personally to prepare for emergencies in hopes that it helps you to better prepare for emergencies, big and small.
Important Documents:
Several of our friends have suffered through fires at their homes. In their haste to leave their homes, they found that their important documents were scattered all over the home and could just not be retrieved. One simple solution is to put all important documents, or copies of them, in a binder that can be easily taken out of the home in case of a quick evacuation. Our binders are bright red, clearly marked with “Emergency Binder,” and are placed in an easily accessible location, such as a bookcase or closet near the door. In the event of an impending hurricane, these binders can easily be placed in a large zip-lock bag to assure water-tightness if an evacuation is mandated or the roof leaks.
A selection of baby and marriage pictures or anything else that is precious should also be assembled and located with the emergency binders. Ask yourself: “If I can take only the number of pictures that I can carry, what would they be?” One solution is to scan your precious pictures into your computer and save them on a portable device such as a disk or jump drive.
Scanning your important documents might also be a solution, but be aware that certain documents needing an original signature or a notarized signature may not be acceptable if scanned and printed by computer.
Cash:
When the Year 2000 was approaching, we were told to stockpile a little cash in case the ATM machines did not work over the Millennium. That is still good advice today in the case of an emergency. Hurricanes, tornadoes and snowstorms frequently result in power outages. Cash may be your only option to purchase necessities. Whether it is $200 or $500 or more, having a little cash will prove useful in an emergency when the ATM machines are not working or where no one can take your credit or debit cards
.
Home Equipment:
A little soul-searching is in order to determine what items you would take with you if you had to leave in less than one hour. Would it be your computer, or iPod? How long would it take you to unhook all the wires? Thinking through how you would get everything in the car for all family members is another good exercise to go through.
Food Basics:
Purchase a three day supply of food for your family and put it in large plastic containers. Be sure the containers are sealed to keep out insects and rodents. You can prepare and consume the food, replacing it during our normal shopping trips.
If you choose to keep your “emergency supply” separate from your pantry items, be sure to note when the food is approaching the expiration dates. At that time, eat or donate the food to Area Food Banks and then immediately replace the food in the emergency supply.
First Aid Kits: Most of us have some sort of First Aid kit in the house. Pulling together what is really needed was an eye-opener. Most of the items can be purchased and kept for many years. It can also be used not only for emergencies like the ones discussed here, but for everyday cuts and scrapes.
Be sure to take the peculiarities of your family members into account when putting this kit together. One member may be allergic to iodine or another may have an issue with the pain medication. Think this through so that in the event an emergency, a sick or injured family member can be made as comfortable as possible until help arrives.
Communication Plans:
It is important to decide how family members are going to communicate with each other during an emergency, especially if they are separated geographically. Choose a remote location and a remote family member or friend who will act as the central communications point. Knowing where to go, if home is not an option, will relieve the problems
Care Decisions:
Perhaps one of the most overwhelming responsibilities that falls upon the spouse or children is that of care decisions. Many family disagreements, indecisions, and lawsuits are the result of poor planning regarding the care of a loved one in a medical emergency.
Your family needs to be aware of your wishes. A Living Will can take care of the big decisions, but there are many smaller issues that need to be addressed. Do you want to be placed in a nursing home if rehabilitation care is necessary? Do you want home care if you qualify? What if you don’t qualify for insurance benefits? Would your family know how to begin the process of getting state assistance, Medicare benefits, or enrollment in a research protocol? Who do you want to be the primary decision-maker of your daily care in the hospital, doctor’s office or care facility? Is one of your children more versed in healthcare than the others, and if so, how do you prepare your family members to listen and then participate in the decisions?
Preparing an obituary in the midst of mourning is overwhelming.. A potentially gut-wrenching task can become a joint venture in pre-writing her obituary. Funeral and obituary requests should be known long before there is an unexpected death in the family. Good Luck and do your homework. Cotact Roof Savers Sprinklers for help to prepare for a fire issue at: http://www.thisismytownusa.com/roof-saver-sprinklers.php
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Create an Emergency Binder for your Home
How to Create an Emergency Binder
How to create a emergency binder? All familys should have a disaster kit put together which includes things like first aid items, 72 hour food kits, extra outfits, etc. An emergency binder is an integral part of this kit. What should be included in an Emergency Binder?
· birth certificates
· passports
· social security cards
· copies of your credit cards front and back
· homeowners insurance policy
· auto insurance policy
· life insurance policy
· bank statements
· retirement statements
· internet passwords (banking, personal, work etc)
· immunization records
· utility statements
· work/tax documents that would be difficult to replace
· CASH – keep a variety of small bills on hand
Put each item in a sheet protector and add divider labels to put them into sections. This makes it easy to pull things in and out when you need to access them.
Should I store copies or originals? This is a personal choice but you may consider storing the originals IN your emergency binder and store photocopies of them in a filing cabinet, and also scan a digital copy and give it to a trusted friend or put it in a safe deposit box. If your house burnt down or was flooded it would be so relieving to know that you don’t have to go through the hassle of replacing those documents. If you already have a water/fireproof filing cabinet or safe you may choose to just put copies in your binder so that you can have the information on hand in an emergency but know that you can return home and find the originals intact at a later time.
What should I store my binder in? Even though the idea is to grab the disaster kit and bring it with you, there is always the chance that you won’t be home during an emergency. In this scenario you would still want to return home and find your binder in good Pcondition We recommend storing your binder in a fireproof/ waterproof locked box that is small enough to be transported with you in an emergency.
That’s it, good luck but “do it”
How to create a emergency binder? All familys should have a disaster kit put together which includes things like first aid items, 72 hour food kits, extra outfits, etc. An emergency binder is an integral part of this kit. What should be included in an Emergency Binder?
· birth certificates
· passports
· social security cards
· copies of your credit cards front and back
· homeowners insurance policy
· auto insurance policy
· life insurance policy
· bank statements
· retirement statements
· internet passwords (banking, personal, work etc)
· immunization records
· utility statements
· work/tax documents that would be difficult to replace
· CASH – keep a variety of small bills on hand
Put each item in a sheet protector and add divider labels to put them into sections. This makes it easy to pull things in and out when you need to access them.
Should I store copies or originals? This is a personal choice but you may consider storing the originals IN your emergency binder and store photocopies of them in a filing cabinet, and also scan a digital copy and give it to a trusted friend or put it in a safe deposit box. If your house burnt down or was flooded it would be so relieving to know that you don’t have to go through the hassle of replacing those documents. If you already have a water/fireproof filing cabinet or safe you may choose to just put copies in your binder so that you can have the information on hand in an emergency but know that you can return home and find the originals intact at a later time.
What should I store my binder in? Even though the idea is to grab the disaster kit and bring it with you, there is always the chance that you won’t be home during an emergency. In this scenario you would still want to return home and find your binder in good Pcondition We recommend storing your binder in a fireproof/ waterproof locked box that is small enough to be transported with you in an emergency.
That’s it, good luck but “do it”
Monday, August 22, 2011
What to do to protect your from fire
These Simple Acts from CalFire's website give great tips on how to Protect Your Home From Fire.
As nearly a million California residents seek refuge from the devastating wildfires that have caused billions of dollars in damages, many families who have yet to evacuate are wondering when -- and if -- they should leave.
The California disaster is a reminder of the importance of knowing how to protect your home in the event of an emergency. The following tips just may save your home.
First, turn off the gas -- this simple act can prevent an explosion. Then turn on the lights, which can help you find your way out if smoke gets into the house. Close every door and window to make the house as airtight as possible and also to keep any embers from getting inside.
If there is time, move furniture away from windows and glass doors.
Open drapes to prevent them from catching on fire from radiant heat. Do not go to your garage; there are too many flammables inside. Also stay out of the basement -- they usually have only one exit.
Instead, identify what direction the fire is coming from and go to the opposite end of the house.
It's very important to have a fire-resistant roof in order to increase the chances of your house withstanding a fire. The best materials are slate, tile, terra cotta or metal -- never use wood shingles. You also should have double-paned or tempered windows. Single-paned windows will break very quickly.
Finally, clear the brush and trim trees on your property so that there is no flammable vegetation within 100 feet of your house. That clearance could keep a wildfire at bay.
Need more information on what to do to protect your home when a wildfire strikes? Give us a call. Roof Saver Sprinklers
As nearly a million California residents seek refuge from the devastating wildfires that have caused billions of dollars in damages, many families who have yet to evacuate are wondering when -- and if -- they should leave.
The California disaster is a reminder of the importance of knowing how to protect your home in the event of an emergency. The following tips just may save your home.
First, turn off the gas -- this simple act can prevent an explosion. Then turn on the lights, which can help you find your way out if smoke gets into the house. Close every door and window to make the house as airtight as possible and also to keep any embers from getting inside.
If there is time, move furniture away from windows and glass doors.
Open drapes to prevent them from catching on fire from radiant heat. Do not go to your garage; there are too many flammables inside. Also stay out of the basement -- they usually have only one exit.
Instead, identify what direction the fire is coming from and go to the opposite end of the house.
It's very important to have a fire-resistant roof in order to increase the chances of your house withstanding a fire. The best materials are slate, tile, terra cotta or metal -- never use wood shingles. You also should have double-paned or tempered windows. Single-paned windows will break very quickly.
Finally, clear the brush and trim trees on your property so that there is no flammable vegetation within 100 feet of your house. That clearance could keep a wildfire at bay.
Need more information on what to do to protect your home when a wildfire strikes? Give us a call. Roof Saver Sprinklers
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Fire Safety & Prevention: What is Defensible Space?
Defensible Space is an area around your home or other structures, which can be natural or man-made where the vegetation and trees have been modified and maintained so to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wild land fire. This space also provides an area for firefighters to work and can help to protect the forest from becoming involved in the flame should a structure fire occur.
Severe wildfire hazards exist on most forested building sites. Many can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space guidelines developed by the Colorado State Forest Service. Follow the guidelines below.
2. Dispose of all debris left from thinning by either chipping, hauling away or by piling and burning.
3. Remove dead limbs, leaves and other ground litter within the defensible space.
4. Stack firewood uphill or on a contour and at least 15 feet from your home.
5. Maintain a greenbelt immediately around your home using grass, flower gardens, or ornamental shrubbery. An alternative is rock or other noncombustible material; avoid bark or wood chip mulch in this area.
6. Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of 30 feet.
7. Prune branches from trees within the defensible space to a height of 10 feet above the ground fuels. Also remove shrubs and small trees, or other potential "ladder" fuels from beneath large trees; left in place, these can carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.
Trim branches which extend over eaves of roofs. Remove branches within 15 feet of a chimney.
8. Clean roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves to eliminate an ignition source for firebrands, especially during the hot, dry weather of the fire season.
Keep in mind that by reducing the density of the surrounding forest and vegetation at least 100 feet out from your structure, if possible, is desired, taking any of the above steps gives your home some protection against wildfire. Call me for information should you wish to be more proactive by installing an affordable roof top sprinkler system to further protect your happy home.
Severe wildfire hazards exist on most forested building sites. Many can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space guidelines developed by the Colorado State Forest Service. Follow the guidelines below.
1. Thin out continuous tree and
brush cover around structures. The initial 15 feet around a structure should consist of an area in which all flammable vegetation has been removed. Beyond the initial 15 feet, the trees should be thinned to 10 - 12 foot crown spacing. Occasionally, clumps of 2 or 3 trees are permitted for natural effects if more space surrounds them. The dimensions of a defensible space are subjective, site specific and dependent on site characteristics. 2. Dispose of all debris left from thinning by either chipping, hauling away or by piling and burning.
3. Remove dead limbs, leaves and other ground litter within the defensible space.
4. Stack firewood uphill or on a contour and at least 15 feet from your home.
5. Maintain a greenbelt immediately around your home using grass, flower gardens, or ornamental shrubbery. An alternative is rock or other noncombustible material; avoid bark or wood chip mulch in this area.
6. Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of 30 feet.
7. Prune branches from trees within the defensible space to a height of 10 feet above the ground fuels. Also remove shrubs and small trees, or other potential "ladder" fuels from beneath large trees; left in place, these can carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.
Trim branches which extend over eaves of roofs. Remove branches within 15 feet of a chimney.
8. Clean roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves to eliminate an ignition source for firebrands, especially during the hot, dry weather of the fire season.
Keep in mind that by reducing the density of the surrounding forest and vegetation at least 100 feet out from your structure, if possible, is desired, taking any of the above steps gives your home some protection against wildfire. Call me for information should you wish to be more proactive by installing an affordable roof top sprinkler system to further protect your happy home.
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