Wildfire Evacuation Plan: When the Order is Urgent!

by Anna Glendenning | More from this Blogger

17 May 2007 07:29 AM

It's fire season again! In fact, it seems things are heating up and burning earlier this year and wildfires are impacting parts of the country normally considered to be a lower risk. As we enter the height of the 2007 fire season it's looking like more people will need to consider ways to protect their homes, mitigate their risk exposures and evacuate their properties.

Evacuations are ordered by local government officials when disaster threatens an area. Local radio and television stations generally issue reports when a disaster threatens an area. When local officials ask you to evacuate, you need to be ready to do so immediately!

When Evacuation orders offer you only moments to leave, be sure to grab and go! Try to gather:

• Any medical supplies, including prescription medications. It may be a few days before you are able to return, and if the event is widespread it may be difficult to contact your doctor, or pharmacy for refills.
• Emergency supplies, such as a flashlight, extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, bottled water, snacks. (If you have planned well, your car should already have these Auto Emergency supplies inside)
• Extra Clothing and Blankets, pillows and if possible a sleeping bag or bedroll.
• Money and access to funds, such as your ATM or credit cards.
• Cell Phones (hopefully you have ICED yours)

If the evacuation order is urgent then there isn't time to worry about things--only life. You may be told to simply leave now! If that's the case then tell your family members to Grab and run. If you can't find the cat or family pet then it's all about faith now. Leave the garage door up slightly so the pet can get inside.

An evacuation in the event of wildfire usually happens during the daytime. Wildfires typically lay down during the night. This means that in many cases, children will be at school and parents will be at work. Or worse during the summertime older children may be at home when an evacuation order takes place. It's vital that families have an established plan and that everyone knows what to do when the family isn't together.

If you haven't discussed your family emergency plans in the last 30-days tonight is a good time to do so. Family members need to have an established emergency contact person, who doesn't live in the area. It's also a good idea to have a meeting place planned in the event the family is separated. Even young children can remember parents said, to call grandma or meet at the peer or certain spot someplace. Our family has a Local meeting spot near the house in the event of a house fire, as well as an emergency meeting place in the event of an evacuation of the local area.

When leaving older children home alone, be sure they know what to do if the fire department shows up and says, it's time to go. You may not want to give your child a cell phone, but many families keep an Emergency Cell phone around just in case of such an event. Teach your latchkey children to think about what they might do if parents are at work and an evacuation happens. It's wise to make an arrangement with a neighbor who might be able to step in and help your children if an area evacuation is ordered. What would your 13-year old do if the fire department knocked on the door and told them to leave now?

The next Blog in this series will outline steps to take when there is some warning that an evacuation may happen.

Photo credit for this blog entry: (standard restrictions for this photo)

Related Blogs:

• Is Your Home In The Wildland-Urban Interface?
• Landscaping To Reduce Wild Fire Risks For Homeowners.
• Firewise Landscaping: Trees

Glossary of Insurance Terms:

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evacuation, loss prevention, Wildfire