WHAT TO EXPECT
A fire will change your life in many ways. Knowing where to begin and who can help you is important. We at Trafford Fire Co. No. 1 hope you find this information useful as you return to normal.
A fire in your home can cause serious damage, many things in your home may be damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water.
You will find things not damaged by the fire may still be ruined by smoke and may be soggy with water used to put out the fire. Anything you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned.
Firefighters may have broken windows and cut holes in the roof, they need to do this to slow the fire’s growth and get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for them to see. Firefighters may also have cut holes in your walls to make sure that the fire is completely out and not hidden.
It is important to understand the risk to your safety and health even after the fire is out; soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick. Be very careful when you go into your home and if you touch any firedamaged items.
THE FIRST 24 HOURS
W A R N I N G
Do not enter the site unless deemed safe, be alert for structural damage.
Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself. The utilities company will determine what is or isn’t safe to turn on.
Food, beverages, and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot, and water should not be consumed under any circumstances!
Be sure your residence is safe to enter:
Do not cut or walk past colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless local authorities advise that it is safe to do so. If a building inspector has placed a color-coded sign on the home, do not enter it until you get more information, advice and instructions about what the sign means and whether it is safe to enter your home.
Securing yourself and the site
In some cases, it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage any trespassers and protect from additional damage due to weather.
Contact your insurance agent first: they often have preferred agencies for boarding and securing your home.
Save any receipts from money you spend after the fire. These are important to show the insurance company what money you have already spent in relation to your fire loss.
Leaving your home
Contact the Trafford Police Department at (412) 372-6550 to let them know the site will be unoccupied.
WHAT TO DO FIRST
I N S U R A N C E
IF YOU ARE INSURED
Notify the insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company should provide you with information regarding the security of the dwelling, exposed areas, and removing water.
Ask your agent what is required of you. Some policyholders are required to make an inventory of all damaged personal items, detailed in relation to quantity, description, and price.
Notes on policy number & information:
IF YOU ARE NOT INSURED
If you do not have insurance, your family and community may be able to help you get back on your feet. Many private organizations could also be able to help:
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Department of Social Services
State or municipal emergency services office
Religious Organizations
Civic Organizations
Take care of yourself & your family
Contact if necessary, the American Red Cross may help you find food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay. You have a big job ahead of you. Get plenty of rest, and ask for help. Do not try to do it all alone.
Help your pets
If you have pets, find and comfort them Scared animals often react by biting or scratching Handle them carefully Try to leave pets with a family member, friend or veterinarian if you are visiting or cleaning your damaged home. Keeping your pets out of the house until the cleanup is complete will keep them safe.
Security and safety
The fire department will make sure the utility services (water, electricity and gas) are safe to use. If they are not safe, firefighters will have your utilities turned off or disconnected before they leave Do not try to turn them back on by yourself
Finances
Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage lender.
Contact your credit card company to report credit cards that were lost in the fire.
Save all of your receipts for any money you spend. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company, and you will need them to prove losses claimed on your tax return.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
The value of your home and personal belongings
Talk with your insurance company about how identifying the value of your home and property
Replacing valuable documents and records
You may need to replace a number of records if they were destroyed or lost in the fire See the list on page 8
Money replacement
Handle burnt money as little as possible Try to place each bill or part of a bill in plastic wrap to help preserve it. If money is burnt, you can take it to a Federal Reserve Bank to get it replaced. Ask your bank for specific locations.
You can find more information about replacing damaged money at www.moneyfactory.gov/submitaclaim.
To replace U S savings bonds that have been destroyed or mutilated, go to www.TreasuryDirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf and download the FS Form 1048 – Claim for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds.
Finances
Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage lender. Contact your credit card company to report credit cards that were lost in the fire.
Contact your insurance agent, broker or insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire or other emergency and start a claim. Start preparing a list of damaged or lost items and provide receipts if possible. Consider photographing or videotaping the damage where it occurred for further documentation to support your claim. If possible, keep damaged items or portions of those items until the claims adjuster has visited your home. Do not throw away anything you plan to claim without discussing it with your adjuster first.
Keep receipts for all additional expenses that you may incur such as lodging, repairs or other supplies.
Keep copies of all documents and pictures you give to your claims adjuster or insurance company.
Tax Information
Check with your accountant, tax consultant, or the IRS about special benefits after a fire loss.
VITAL DOCUMENTS & WHOM TO CONTACT ABOUT REPLACEMENT
Driver’s License
Government Issued ID
Insurance policies
Military discharge papers
Passports
Birth, death, and marriage certificates
Social Security or Medicare cards
Credit cards
Titles to deeds
Stocks and bonds
Wills
Income tax record
Citizenship papers
Mortgage papers
PennDOT/Department of Motor Vehicles (717) 412-5300
Contact the issuing authority
Your insurance agent or company
Department of Veterans Affairs, 1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833
State Department–Passport Services, 202-955-0430 (24 hours)
Bureau of Records in the appropriate state
Local Social Security office, 1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778
The issuing companies as soon as possible Mastercard and VISA: Contact issuing financial institution
American Express: 1-800-441-0519
Discover: 1-800-347-2683, or TDD/TTY 1-800-347-7449
Records department of the area in which the property is located.
Issuing company or your broker
Your attorney
The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1-800-375-5283
Lending institution
CHECKLIST
Contact the American Red Cross. They may help you with food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay.
Contact your insurance company.
Ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired.
Ask who you should talk to about cleaning up your home.
If you are not insured, try contacting community groups for aid and assistance.
Check with the fire department to make sure that your home is safe to enter. Be very careful when you go inside. Floors and walls may not be safe.
Contact your landlord or mortgage company to report the fire.
Try to find valuable documents and records.
If you leave your home, call the local police department to let them know the site will be vacant.
Begin saving receipts for any money that you spend related to the fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company.
Check with an accountant or the IRS about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Have this information with you when calling other agencies.
Date of fire:
Time of fire:
Location of fire:
Name of Fire Department:
TRAFFORD FIRE CO. NO. 1
Address of Fire Department:
412 BRINTON AVE
TRAFFORD, PA 15085
Mailing Address of Fire Department:
Fire department non- emergency number:
Fire incident report number:
Fire Chief Lindbloom:
Insurance company:
P.O. BOX 86 TRAFFORD, PA 15085 (412) 372-5662 (412) 491-1153 cell 24/7/365
Insurance company telephone number:
Insurance policy number:
Insurance claim number:
Vehicle identification number (VIN) for cars, trucks and motorcycles destroyed:
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
American Red Cross (412) 263-3100
PennDOT/DMV (717) 412-5300
Trafford Fire Department (412) 372-5662
Trafford Police Department (412) 372-6550
Verizon
1-833-897-4966
Trafford Borough (412) 372-7652
Duquesne Light Company (412) 393-7100
All But Forgotten (Pets) (724) 382-7178
Peoples (Natural Gas) 1-800-764-0111
Salvation Army (412) 673-6627
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213
Berkheimer Tax Innovations (610) 599-3142
Comcast/Xfinity 1-800-934-6489
Westmoreland County Social Services (724) 837-6339
Trafford US Post Office (412) 372-8560
Westmoreland County VA Office (724) 830-3530
BOARD UP AND RESTORATION SERVICES
Board-Up Service (24/7)
1-800-BOARDUP
Disaster Restoration Services (412) 362-7000
SERVPRO (412) 672-5400
Provided by TRAFFORD FIRE CO. NO. 1 Designed by
