We are a nonpro t that strives to provide re ghters, EMTs, and EMS with the care and support they deserve. Our organization was founded by re ghters and emergency medical services (EMS) members. We work with passionate people who want to help rst responders by supporting them with their mental health needs. To donate, visit this link: H4HDONATE.givesmart.com or text 76278.
about
This year, multiple departments and local stations were in need of therapy dogs. The Paw Platoon Placement Program trains in-house therapy dogs who reside at local stations. These in-training dogs proactively provide a multitude of mental health and wellness for critical incident stress relief for decompressing.
Funds raised will support training, insurance, food, continued veterinarian care, and education to the program. With donations, you can help to provide ongoing support to our heroes!
From natural disasters to major accidents and more, there’s no benefit in ignoring the catastrophes that could happen in our community. There are, however, plenty of benefits to emergency preparedness.
The Mountain Democrat’s Disaster Guide offers tips and resources for residents as proper planning and prevention can reduce the impacts a disaster may have on individuals, families and property.
Emergency preparedness can be a life-ordeath matter. Knowing escape and evacuation routes can ensure people aren’t trapped in dangerous locations. Having accessible stores of water and food can prevent people from suffering while sheltering in place. Emergency shelters can keep people safe from perilous conditions and offer a temporary place to live after a disaster has occurred.
The more people know and the more they prepare, the better off the entire community will be. Find the information you need in this guide.
Learn How You Can Help Prevent Wildfires
STORY BY: WENDY OAKS
Did you know that 95% of wildfi res are caused by human activities? By understanding the common causes and taking proactive steps to prevent them, we can all contribute to reducing the risk of wildfi res. Here are some critical areas where human actions often lead to wildfi res and tips on how to avoid them.
EQUIPMENT USE
Improper use of equipment can easily ignite a wildfire. Whether it’s a lawn mower, chainsaw, weed-eater, grinder, tractor, trimmer or another power tool, taking precautions is essential.
• Time of Day and Conditions: Avoid using equipment during the hottest part of the day when conditions are driest. Mow before 10 a.m. and always avoid windy or dry conditions. Remember that lawn mowers are for lawns, not for dry weeds or grass, as metal blades can spark fires when hitting rocks.
• Maintain Equipment: Regularly check and repair your equipment to prevent sparks. In wildland areas, spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline-powered equipment. Keep the exhaust system, spark arresters and mower in proper working order and free of carbon buildup.
• Safe Equipment Use: Before conducting any grinding or welding operations in wildland areas, secure a permit and ensure you maintain a clear 10-foot radius. Keep a shovel and a fire extinguisher ready to use.
VEHICLES
Vehicles and trailers can inadvertently start fires, especially when chains are involved. Follow these guidelines to ensure your vehicle use does not contribute to
the risk of wildfires.
• Secure Chains: Practice safe towing. Use appropriate safety pins and hitch balls to secure chains and ensure they are not dragging, which can create sparks.
• Remove Dragging Parts: Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained, with no parts dragging on the ground.
• Tire and Brake Maintenance: Maintain proper tire pressure to prevent driving on exposed wheel rims that will throw sparks. Regularly check and maintain your brakes.
• Avoid Dry Areas: Do not drive or park on dry grass or brush, as hot exhaust pipes and muff lers can start fires. Regularly check the undercarriage for debris that could ignite.
CAMPFIRES
A campfire can quickly turn into a raging wildfire. Before setting up a campfire, always check local rules and restrictions, as some places prohibit campfires, especially when there’s a high risk of fires. Obtain a permit from a CAL FIRE, United State Forest Service, or Bureau of Land Management if required. Follow these steps to ensure your campfire is safe.
• Designated Areas: Only build campfires in designated fire rings or pits.
• Clear Surroundings: Ensure there’s a 10-foot radius around the fire that is free of flammable materials.
• Safety Tools: Keep safety tools like a shovel and a water source within arm’s reach. Always keep the fire to a manageable size.
• Never Leave Unattended: Always keep an eye on your campfire and ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving. Use
the “drown, stir, and feel” method to extinguish your campfire.
• Drown: Drown the fire with water, then stir around the fire area with your shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. Turn over any wood pieces and soak all sides thoroughly.
• Stir: Add soil to the fire bed and mix thoroughly to smother any remaining heat.
• Feel: Confirm the fire is out by feeling for heat with the back of your hand. The area should be cool to the touch.
DEBRIS BURNING
Improper debris burning can quickly escalate into a wildfire. Before burning debris, you need to secure a burn permit from your local fire station or air district and confirm that there are no current burning restrictions in your area. To fi nd out if outdoor burning is allowed on a particular day, you must contact your local air quality management district.
• Permits and Regulations: Check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits
before burning. Currently, all burn permits for outdoor residential burning are suspended within the State Responsibility Areas of Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.
• Weather Conditions: Never burn on windy or dry days.
• Piles: Limit piles to 4 feet by 4 feet to manage the burn easily. Remove all flammable materials within 10 feet of the pile to prevent unintended spreading.
• Safety Tools: Have water, a shovel and other firefighting tools nearby to quickly extinguish the fire if needed.
• Supervise: An adult must be present to monitor the fire until it is completely out. By taking these steps, we can significantly reduce the number of human-caused wildfires. Each of us has a role to play in preventing wildfires. Let’s work together to safeguard our communities. For more information on wildfire preparedness visit ReadyforWildfire.org.
Fire & Water Damage Disaster Specialists
ServiceMaster Restore is the nation’s leading provider of restoration services, specializing in the remediation of re, water, smoke, and mold damage. For more than 50 years, ServiceMaster Restore has helped home and business owners recover from re losses of both large and small scales.
• COOKING
Preventable Fires: DEVELOP
Keep re extinguisher stocked
• CANDLES
Keep 12” away from other objects
• HEATING
Turn off portable heaters!
• ELECTRICAL
One appliance in a receptacle at a time.
The number one lifesaver for homeowners is to check their smoke alarms to ensure they are working in the event of a re. Have a 2 and 2 plan. Two ways out of your home, and two ways out of your neighborhood!
From walking a customer through the restoration process, to talking with insurance agents and claims adjusters, to cleaning up water/debris and rebuilding damaged areas, ServiceMaster Restore handles all the details with its complete customer care process.
UNDERSTANDING THE DRYING PROCESS
Water extraction from the surface is usually not enough to remove all the moisture from your home after a water damage. Water can hide behind walls, under ooring or in your HVAC system and vents. ServiceMaster Restore provides expert drying with dehumidi ers and high velocity air movers to remove moisture from the air.
Mold starts to grow in as little as 48 hours. Act fast to prevent growth. Exposure can cause adverse health effects.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOLD
Mold is a fungus that can grow almost anywhere, indoors or outdoors. It grows best in damp, warm conditions. Mold spores spread and are able to travel through air, and are capable of surviving a long time.
People are exposed to mold through inhalation or ingestion, which may cause mild to severe allergic reactions, depending on a person’s sensitivity. Living under conditions where high mold levels are present can be dangerous and cause adverse health effects.
Fire Safe Councils in El Dorado County
To further reduce the risk of wildfi re, many residents have established fi re safe councils. These councils are places where property owners can learn more about how to harden their homes against wildfi re, obtain grants to help in land clearing and chipping of vegetation and share resources that reduce the threat of wildfi re.
The 32 fire safe councils as of mid-June 2024, within El Dorado County Fire Safe Council umbrella are:
Auburn Lake Trails
Aukum Fair Play
Coloma Lotus
Cool Pilot Hilll
Camino
Cedar Grove
Diamond Springs
Fort Jim
Gallagher Land Association
Georgetown Divide
Gold Hill Estates
Gold Ridge Forest
Greater Cameron Park Area
Greenstone Country
Grizzly Flats
Lakehills
Logtown (El Dorado)
Mosquito
Oak Hill Area
Omo Ranch
Patterson Ranch
Placerville
Rancho Del Sol
Rescue Community
Royal Equestrian Estates SandRidge
Serrano
Sierra Springs Regional
Strawberry
Texas Hill Estates
Volcanoville
Wrights Lake/Dark Lake
Contact information for all the councils is Carri Lueck, EDCFSC main office at(530) 647-1700 or clerk@edcfiresafe. onmicrosoft.com.
ADDITIONAL WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
fire.ca.gov
• Information specific to California wildfires, including incident updates, alerts and preparedness.
readyforwildfire.org/
• Comprehensive information and tips on wildfire preparedness.
fire.ca.gov/dspace
• Information specific to defensible space.
edcfiresafe.org
• El Dorado County Fire Safe Council.
amadorfiresafe.org
• Amador County Fire Safe Council.
cafiresafecouncil.org/
• Information about Fire Safe Councils. nfpa.org/
• National Fire Protection Association. Offers wildfire safety resources and guidelines.
• Information on wildfire preparedness.
REBUILDING AFTER CALDOR:
What resources exist for assistance?
STORY BY: Eric Jaramishian
Ken and Becky Green, formerly of Grizzly Flat, were one of many who had their homes burned down during the 2021 Caldor Fire, which came through and destroyed the small community and their livelihoods.
Opting not to rebuild in Grizzly Flat, they bought a home in the Somerset area, but not without experiencing hurdles.
Their mortgage company neglected to pay their California Fair Plan through an escrow account, and the couple were never notified. Following a paper trail with their escrow and title company Placer Title, and working with an attorney, they ended up getting the mortgage company to fi nd its error and ended up getting fully insured.
“Having a good knowledge of where your public records are is probably the most crucial step if you need to source important documents or information, in case of these instances,” Becky said.
While the Greens ended up fully insured, obtaining enough money to start a new mortgage, the process still took weeks, and the family needed a place to stay and additional resources during the crisis.
“At first we were just lost, so we were lucky enough to have a place to go; we had a friend whose house was empty, so we stayed at their house, then we were blessed enough to have a tremendous amount of community support and friends supporting us and things like that which made managing the crisis doable,” Becky said.
While not needing as many resources as others since both Becky and Ken were working, they did take advantage of resources local nonprofits and churches were providing, including food distributions and stipends from Red Cross and the El Dorado Community Foundation.
Organizations like Feed El Dorado, the Food Bank of El Dorado County, Federated and Green Valley churches and free meal provider Upper Room Dining Hall on upper Broadway in Placerville exist to provide meals
and food for those most in need, including displaced and homeless individuals. The government supported program CalFresh also provides food assistance for income-qualified food insecure families.
The West Slope Foundation, which was started in 2021 to help survivors of the Caldor Fire, has programs individuals can apply for to acquire assistance which include requests for clothing, hygiene items, seasonal vehicles and other household items. The nonprofit also has a Community Tool Shed that provides Caldor Fire Survivors with access to tools and equipment, which can be lent at no charge. These programs can be found at westslopefoundation.org/evacuation-hub/ programs-for-survivors.
Other organizations that provide basic needs, clothing and supplies include the St. Patrick Church Clothes Closet, Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference and the Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, which provides disaster relief programs for displaced residents to return to work.
For rebuilding purposes, El Dorado County has recently enacted a new policy that would utilize California’s Title 25 building code of regulations that will allow leniency on building dwelling units on property that burned in
Grizzly Flat for those under- and uninsured. Those include a three-year building permit, and can be built as big or small using owner-produced materials or milled lumber with county staff approval, which require no heating and temperature maintenance or minimum room dimensions. For more details, contact the El Dorado County Planning and Building department at (530) 621-5355.
The county Recorder-Clerk, Treasurer/Tax Collector and the Assessors offices, which are located in the Government Center on Fair Lane in Placerville, can also help with document replacement.
The county also has services for animals and livestock and has a disaster plan for preparing kits during such crises, which can be found at eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Services/ Animal-Services.
Many resources exist to help survivors in relief, recovery and rebuilding. A full list, which includes county, fi nancial, basic need, food and legal assistance resources, can be found at caldorrecovery.org/resources. All who need assistance are encouraged to reach out to community organizations and El Dorado County during all crises including wildfires.
EDCTC plans ahead for Placerville evacuations
In the face of larger and more frequent wildfi res across California over the past decade, agencies throughout the state have been working to improve community readiness for the next potential natural disaster.
Recently, the El Dorado County Transportation Commission completed a study conducted in partnership with wildfire first responders to identify ways to increase Placerville’s evacuation readiness.
The commission worked alongside representatives from county and city staff, Cal Fire, El Dorado County Fire Protection District and the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office of Emergency Services to model a set of potential wildfire scenarios the area may face in the future. The study used four different wildfire scenarios, two north and two south of Highway 50, and modeled best- and worst-case scenarios for evacuation conditions.
“We were working to find out, is the current infrastructure adequate to meet the demand that would be placed on it during a wildfire evacuation?” EDCTC Senior Transportation Planner Dan Bolster said. “Each of the four scenarios were different, with us seeing the most people hitting the system at a time. We wanted to stress test the road system.”
The collaborating agencies formed a virtual incident command team, discussing and reacting to how the hypothetical scenarios might play out in a real-life situation. Parameters including direction, rate of spread, season and time of day were all factored into the scenarios to account for a variety of plausible situations in the region. The data also leaned on lessons gleaned from previous emergencies, such as traffic counts during peak traffic as evacuations were underway for the Caldor Fire.
“This project would not have been possible without the help from OES, Cal Fire and EDCFPD. We just couldn’t
STORY BY: ODIN RASCO
have done it. While we know the traffic side of things, we needed their expertise on evacuation plans and fire scenarios, because that’s just not our specialty,” Bolster explained.
The modeling was proven surprisingly close to reality recently, with the hypothetical Bucks Bar scenario used in the study growing in a similar way to the Moccasin Fire in early July.
Once the fire scenarios were devised by wildfire experts, OES would devise evacuation parameters, passing road closure information on over to EDCTC. Travel demand models were then generated using population data and road maps, taking 15-minute snapshots of traffic projections throughout the city. These snapshots helped EDCTC identify bottlenecks, such as a notable traffic backup along Placerville Drive, which could be addressed in future projects.
The study led to EDCTC identifying 38 potential projects which could be undertaken by implementing agencies to improve traffic conditions; because of Placerville’s mix of city, county and state-maintained roads, project jurisdiction can be a bit complicated.
Bolster noted one possible project identified by the study that would provide a
notable boon for evacuation traffic while costing relatively little to implement; an “evaculane” which would serve as an additional highway lane from Placerville to Cameron Park in times of emergency. By nudging the lane lines along Highway 50 and shifting the ruble strip toward the center of the shoulder so travelers using the evaculane aren’t shaken like a martini as they evacuate, the shoulder could be designated as an additional traffic lane in times of evacuation. The idea has seen successful implementation in Texas, Bolster said, but it would be the first of the kind in California if Caltrans opts to pick up the project.
Because the study is an as-is snapshot of current road conditions, upcoming or uncompleted projects that may impact future evacuation routes, such as the Mosquito Bridge replacement, were not included. However, Placerville’s Trip to Green project was included as a potential factor; according to Bolster, TtG can allow for 1,000 more cars to travel along Highway 50 through town in a given hour.
For more information on the study, visit edctc.org/greater-placerville-wildfire-evacuation-preparedness-community-safety-and-resiliency-study.
Evacuation Preparedness
FOR PETS
Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to take when you evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your pet. Stock up on nonperishables well ahead of time, add perishable items at the last minute and have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice. Keep everything accessible, stored in sturdy containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can be carried easily.
In your disaster kit, you should include:
■ Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book also is good to include.
■ Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can’t escape. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you have taken shelter away from home.
■ Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated and to prove that they are yours.
■ Food and water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat litter and litter box and a manual can opener.
■ Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.
AS THE DISASTER APPROACHES
Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready. Warnings of disasters may be issued hours, or even days, in advance.
■ Call to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
■ Bring pets into the house and confine them so you can leave with them quickly if necessary. Make sure each pet and pet carrier has up-to-date identification and contact information. Include information about your temporary shelter location.
■ Make sure your disaster supplies are ready to go, including your pet disaster kit.
IN CASE YOU’RE NOT HOME
An evacuation order may come or a disaster may strike, when you’re at work or out of the house.
■ Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure that the person is comfortable with your pets, knows where your animals are likely to be, knows where your disaster supplies are kept and has a key to your home.
■ If you use a pet-sitting service, it may be able to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.
IF YOU EVACUATE, TAKE YOUR PETS
The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets if you evacuate is to take them with you. If it’s not safe for you to stay in the disaster area, it’s not safe for your pets. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed.
Animals left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.
■ If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave your home, you have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area and you may not be able to go back for your pets.
■ Leave early — don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
DON’T FORGET ID
Your pets should be wearing up-to-date identification at all times. It’s a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area. If your pet is lost you want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if you’re out of your home.
FIND A SAFE PLACE AHEAD OF TIME
Because evacuation shelters generally don’t accept pets, except for service animals, you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
■ Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if “no pet” policies would be waived in an emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.
■ Check with friends, relatives or others outside your immediate area. Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals or just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may have to be prepared to house them separately.
■ Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour telephone numbers.
■ Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort, as shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their limits during an emergency.
FOR HORSES
During an emergency, the time you have to evacuate your horses will be limited. With an effective emergency plan, you may have enough time to move your horses to safety. If you are unprepared or wait until the last minute to evacuate, you could be told by emergency management officials that you must leave your horses behind. Once you leave your property, you have no way of knowing how long you will be kept out of the area. If left behind your horses could be unattended for days without care, food or water. To help you avoid this situation, we have prepared information and suggestions to help you plan for emergencies.
HORSE EVACUATION TIPS
■ Make arrangements in advance to have your horse trailered in case of an emergency. If you do not have your own trailer or do not have enough trailer space for all of your horses, be sure you have several people on standby to help evacuate your horses.
■ Know where you can take your horses in an emergency evacuation. Make arrangements with a friend or another horse owner to stable your horses if needed.
■ Place your horses’ Coggins tests, veterinary papers, identification photographs and vital information — such as medical history, allergies and emergency telephone numbers (veterinarian, family members, etc.) — in a watertight envelope. Store the envelope with your other important papers in a safe place that can be quickly reached.
■ Keep halters ready for your horses. Each halter should include the following information: the horse’s name, your name, your telephone number and another emergency telephone number where someone can be reached.
■ Prepare a basic first aid kit that is portable and easily accessible.
■ Be sure to have on hand a supply of water, hay, feed and medications for several days for each horse you are evacuating.
■ There may be times when taking your horses with you is impossible during an emergency. So you must consider different types of disasters and whether your horses would be better off in a barn or loose in a field.
FOR LIVESTOCK
Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it is particularly important for livestock because of the animals’ size and the requirements needed to shelter or transport them. It is imperative that you be prepared to protect your livestock, whether by evacuating or by sheltering in place.
The leading causes of death of large animals in high wind events are collapsed barns, dehydration, electrocution and accidents resulting from fencing failure. If you own farm animals, you should take precautions to protect them from these hazards, no matter what the disaster potential for your area.
■ Evacuate animals as soon as possible. Be ready to leave once the
Continued on page 16
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We put our Type A Engineering License and Tree Service License to use in a way that we are your one stop shop for projects where you would need multiple contractors.
Some of our partners include the County of El Dorado, Department of Transportation, and El Dorado County Fire Safe Council.
evacuation is ordered. Remember: Even a fire truck fully loaded with water is considered “out of service” in winds exceeding 40 mph. If there are already high winds, it may not be possible to evacuate safely.
■ Arrange for a place to shelter your animals. Plan ahead and work within your community to establish safe shelters for farm animals. Potential facilities include fairgrounds, other farms, racetracks, humane societies, convention centers and any other safe and appropriate facilities you can find. Survey your community and potential host communities along your planned evacuation route.
■ Contact your local emergency management authority and become familiar with at least two possible evacuation routes well in advance.
■ Set up safe transportation. Trucks, trailers and other vehicles suitable for transporting livestock (appropriate for transporting each specific type of animal) should be available, along with experienced handlers and drivers.
■ Take all your disaster supplies with you or make sure they will be available at your evacuation site. You should have or be able to readily obtain feed, water, veterinary supplies, handling equipment, tools and generators if necessary.
■ If your animals are sheltered off your property, make sure that they remain in the groupings they are used to. Also, be sure they are securely contained and sheltered from the elements if necessary, whether in cages, fenced-in areas or buildings.
SHELTERING IN PLACE
If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made whether to confi ne large animals to an available shelter on your farm or leave them out in pastures. Owners may believe that their animals are safer inside barns, but in many circumstances, confi nement takes away the animals’ ability to protect themselves. This decision should be based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the sheltering building.
Survey your property for the best location for animal sheltering. If your pasture area
meets the following criteria, your large animals may be better off out in the pasture than being evacuated:
■ No exotic (nonnative) trees, which uproot easily
■ No overhead power lines or poles
■ No debris or sources of blowing debris
■ No barbed-wire fencing (woven-wire fencing is best)
■ Not less than one acre in size (if less than an acre, your livestock may not be able to avoid blowing debris).
If your pasture area does not meet these criteria, you should evacuate. Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, make sure that you have adequate and safe fencing or pens to separate and group animals appropriately.
Work with your state department of agriculture and county extension service. If your animals cannot be evacuated, these agencies may be able to provide on-farm oversight. Contact them well in advance to learn their capabilities and the most effective communication procedure.
Fires and the First 5 Feet
STORY BY: ALICE CANTELOW
As wildfi re rages in other parts of the state, we’re reminded again of our own vulnerabilities.
Any time of the year is a great time to consider wildfi re safety in your yard.
The first 5 feet next to the house has been found to be the most important area of all for improving the likelihood of your house surviving a wildfire. Much emphasis is placed on the importance of 100 feet of defensible space as required in El Dorado County and statewide.
Defensible space does surely limit the energy of wildfires that might visit your community, and also provides space for firefighters to work to save your home. But in terms of your house igniting, the first 5 feet have been found to be the most critical.
People often start out 100 feet and then work in toward their house, which is kind of backwards in terms of bang for your buck. What you really want to do is to start at the house and work out.
With hot winds, dried-out conditions, and red flag warnings, now is not the time to be using lots of equipment anyway, to limb up trees and cut branches and shrubs in those outer zones. This can be a great time, though, to focus on those first 5 feet. This is where embers can fly in from over a mile away; ignited vegetation in this space is the reason that most homes are actually lost in a wildfire. An ember lands on shrubs, dead leaves, or even a flammable tool like a broom next to the house, and from there starts a chain reaction that sets the house on fire.
It’s good to walk around your house and note where it is especially vulnerable. Where would it be especially bad for a flying ember, or a several-inch long burning chunk of wood to land? And where do leaves collect? That is likely right where embers will collect as well. Bark mulch can also act as dangerous kindling. Bark mulch is great for keeping weeds down and moisture in, but if you have bark mulch next to your house, remove it from that first 5 feet.
You really want just hardscape, paths, rocks, or even dirt there. That way, embers that fall near your house will simply burn out without
igniting your house. Are there shrubs under trees? If so, they can become a fire hazard with the potential to act as a fuel ladder, igniting trees and other closely placed shrubs.
If you do have shrubs or other vegetation close to your house or too close to other plants, move them or remove them, being careful not to use power tools in the heat of the day. Early morning is best, before the fire danger increases as the temperatures increase. That old foundation-plant strategy just doesn’t make sense in our foothill homes. Plants that are directly under windows are particularly dangerous.
Focus on the 5-foot space in your yard that is next to your house and improve the fire resilience of your precious home! Living in fire-prone areas like ours, we really don’t have to be just sitting ducks. We can work to truly increase the odds of our homes surviving a wildfire.
Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. You can find the schedule at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_Education_Classes/Calendar/, and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_Education/Classes/.
The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open through spring and summer on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Please check the website for further information about activities at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at /ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden/.
Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website mgeldorado.ucanr.edu or leave a message on the office telephone (530) 621-5512. We’ll get back to you! Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
For more information on the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County see the website at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu.
SCHOOL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 2024
STORY BY: WHITNEY BURKE
In El Dorado County, we aim to establish one of the fi nest education systems in California and the nation. Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students is a foundational belief and aspiration. As a county, we have developed strong partnerships between schools, law enforcement and school community partners to improve campus and community safety.
Through the development of strategic initiatives and innovative communication systems, we are continuously taking steps to provide safe and engaging teaching and learning environments for our students and staff.
Within El Dorado County, there are county-wide programs (administered by the El Dorado County Office of Education), 15 school districts, more than 65 schools, and several charter schools. The El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office serves the majority of schools in the county, with full-time deputies assigned to the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. In addition, the city of Placerville Police Department and South Lake Tahoe Police Department serve the schools in their local jurisdiction.
With guidance and technical assistance from law enforcement partners, public schools in El Dorado County have developed school safety plans that are regularly reviewed and updated. Plans include procedures for lockdowns, evacuations, threat assessments,
wildland fires, earthquakes and more. Each campus maintains plans tailored to its site and addresses critical needs at that campus.
Safety plans include communication protocols for connecting with law enforcement and messaging to families. Plans are formally reviewed annually to ensure that current safety protocols are addressed.
Fire and lockdown drills are scheduled throughout the school year to ensure students and staff are familiar with what is expected of them in the event of an emergency.
In the spring of 2023, representatives from El Dorado County education, law enforcement, and Health and Human Services gathered for training on a new threat assessment
model used as a best practice for preventing pathways to violence in schools. The model guides teams through a step-by-step process of identifying a student who is a possible threat to themselves or others, assessing the threat level, and identifying the next steps. Support is provided on a continuum from prevention to crisis intervention.
The representatives implemented this new prevention model for the 2023-24 school year and continue to partner regularly on threat assessment work.
This continued work is critical in ensuring every student, family and community member feels safe and welcomed at every school in El Dorado County.
Build and maintain a disaster supply kit
After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
BASIC DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to fi nd and any one of them could save your life. After taking a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.
To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
A basic emergency supplies kit could include the following recommended items:
Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes and change of clothing
Copies of important papers (bank statements, insurance records, deeds, etc.)
ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
Since spring of 2020, the CDC has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.
Consider adding the following items to your emergency supplies kit based on your individual needs:
Cloth face coverings (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
Prescription medications
Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler’s checks
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
MAINTAINING YOUR KIT
After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:
Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
Replace expired items as needed.
Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
KIT STORAGE LOCATIONS
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.
Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.
Owner
Being prepared is essential in the event of disaster
Since opening its doors in July of 1959, Marshall has provided exceptional healthcare to the community, regardless of the conditions that affect our daily lives. Whether facing raging wildfires, devastating snowstorms, or a global pandemic, the dedicated staff at Marshall always puts the well-being of its patients and the community first. This unwavering commitment and resilience are what enables everyone to receive the highest quality care in times of exceptional need.
To ensure that the staff is prepared to weather any emergency, Marshall conducts regular drills and simulated training exercises. The teams work with the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office, Fire Department, the Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Services and others to create real-life situations with volunteers playing the parts of victims and patients. These full-scale, multi-agency exercises assess challenges such as how and where to shift patients, staff and supplies to ensure maximum efficiency. Through it all, patient safety and well-being remain top priorities and as a result, Marshall is prepared for almost any emergency that may arise.
Often the Emergency Department (ED) is the first place impacted by a disaster. Rapid treatment of patients is an important step when facing an emergency of any kind. Patients and visitors should follow all directions when arriving at the ED in case of disaster, as
changes in the treatment area may have been made to best serve you.
Marshall is a Level III Trauma Center as well as a Designated Emergency Preparedness facility and Base Hospital. The ED staff and providers are well-versed in quickly treating and discharging patients who are not critical and rapidly admitting or transferring more serious patients to make room for a sudden influx of emergeny patients. Marshall is stocked with mobile exam rooms and other supplies to set up in parking lots should this influx be more than the current 111-bed capacity.
Marshall maintains a supply of materials necessary to care for the community in nearly any disaster, but how can you prepare at home?
What to stock in your medicine cabinet
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of essential prescription medication. Keep a list of all your prescriptions, dosage and frequency.
Be prepared with a cooler and chemical ice packs for storing medication if necessary.
Be sure to have essential over-the-counter items as well, including:
• Cough drops and cough syrup
• Cold/flu medicine
• Ibuprofen
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Thermometer
• Face masks
• Hand sanitizer
• Sanitizing wipes
• Latex or nitrile gloves
• Pulse oximeter (optional)
• Fine-t ipped tweezers
Check the expiration dates of these items regularly to ensure they are still in good condition in case of emergency.
POWER OUTAGES
During wildfire and snow seasons, be prepared for power outages which may last days at a time. In addition to stocking ice for your cooler and batteries for your flashlights, make sure your medical supplies are also stocked and ready.
Make sure you have several days of medication on hand. If they need to be refrigerated, have a cooler and ice at the ready, or a generator powerful enough to power your refrigerator.
If you are on oxygen, it is important that you have several batteries on hand or a generator sufficient to power your tank.
If you use a BiPAP or CPAP machine, charge the batteries to a full charge, especially if the possibility of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is declared. Have a portable charger on-hand should your battery not last the full length of the outage.
Seeing your doctor during a disaster
During a disaster or emergency like a PSPS, you may still be able to see your doctor.
Check Marshall’s website marshallmedical. org for updates on closures.
Your existing appointments may be rescheduled or relocated to another clinic or location. Alternatively, you may be offered a video or telephone visit from your home. Marshall is prepared for, and anticipates, emergency situations. The health and well-being of the residents of the Western Slope of El Dorado County is a top priority and one we take very seriously.
Your Pet Emergency Kit should include:
• 3-7 days of food and supplies
• 14 days of medication
• First aid kit, litter box/supplies, waste bags, sanitary supplies
• Identification papers, vaccination/medical records
• Kennel, leash, comfort items
• Microchip your pet, update contact info
• Keep collars and ID tags on your pet
• Have a recent photo of your pet on hand Prepare for reunion:
Stay informed about SERVICE OUTAGES or EMERGENCIES by updating your contact information. Email Customer Service at Billing@EID.org or complete the online form @ www.EID.org/UpdateMyAccount .
IN CASE OF A WATER EMERGENCY, know where your water shutoff gate valve is!
Help protect your community by adopting a hydrant and keep snow, vegetation and debris clear around hydrants for fire crews!
Map @ www.EID.org/LocateFireHydrant.
Power is critical for water and wastewater services. EID has worked to set up large back up generators for each of our 168 individual power connections. However, these generators are not capable of keeping up with typical water and wastewater usage. Therefore, during power outages, EID requests that ALL customers CONSERVE WATER .
Your conservation efforts help ensure that the public health and safety needs of our community are maintained.
Receiving Medical Care During a Disaster
El Dorado Community Health Center (EDCHC) is committed to improving the health of our community through quality healing and preventive services. We are part of the El Dorado County healthcare coalition, which includes a group of healthcare facilities and emergency responders who organize mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery actions of medical and healthcare providers in the EDC health care system. By using guidelines developed before disaster strikes, EDCHC can help health care providers decide how to provide the best possible medical care when there are not enough resources to give all patients the level of care they would receive under normal circumstances.
The services available in our centers include primary care, dental, podiatry, behavioral health, a pharmacy program, patient advocacy and referrals to collaborative organizations within the community. Our exciting new center recently opened at 4212 Missouri Flat Road in Placerville is equipped with 100% redundant power backup for uninterrupted power when the electrical system goes down. We will continue to serve our patients and the community in all emergency situations.
Please ensure that EDCHC is part of your emergency resource planning and your rst stop for healthcare in El Dorado County.
Emergency Preparedness for Your Medical Needs
When power outages or other natural disasters occur, preparation is key in maintaining your health during these challenging times. Here are a few ways that you can prepare:
1. Prepare for a power outage by having back-up power and an emergency plan if you or family members use special healthcare equipment like oxygen generators or dialysis equipment. Notify your emergency contacts and local power company.
2. Gather important information ahead of time, such as medical insurance cards, list of medical devices and medications, and contact information for health providers and family members.
3. Make sure you have several days of medication and medical supplies on hand.
4. Plan for your transportation if you need help evacuating and consider how you will evacuate with any assistive devices.
5. Create a network of support to help you in case of an emergency.
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