many cases because of the fast moving
fire. For notification of evacuation, the
reverse 911 was utilized along with house-to-house notification by public officials
as they offered assistance gathering up
things so homeowners could quicken
their departure. Hourly, the evacuation
status kept changing. The city and firemen’s command centers had to relocate as
the fast-moving fire even threatened their
operation centers.
The communities in the path of this
beast were rural with acreage and many
farm animals (cows, horses, pigs, goats,
chickens, etc.) to be evacuated. There was
also all of the “family pets” (dogs, cats,
birds, bunnies, etc.) to be transported to
safety. Most of the animals were evacu-
ated, thanks to the efforts of the evacuees
and the community, but many animals
were burned or destroyed. One equine
rescue center had 36 horses to move. They
all got out, but one was severely burned
as he got confused and ran back into the
flames. There are tons of stories like this
one that will break your heart. One won-
ders if some of it could have been miti-
gated if people had been better prepared.
vehicles;and;travel;trailers;to
a;safe,;open;area;where;they
won’t;burn;or;block;fire;vehicles.
4);You;will;need;these;supplies
when;you;leave;you;home.;Store
them;together;in;a;duffle;bag;or
other;large;container;in;advance:
n;flashlight;for;each;family;member;with
plenty;of;extra;batteries;–;tape;switch;to
OFF;until;needed
n;battery-powered;radio;with;extra
batteries
n;first;aid;kit;and;prescription;medications
in;their;original;bottles,;plus;copies;of;the
prescriptions
n;eyeglasses;(with;a;copy;of;the
prescription);and;hearing;aids;with
batteries
n;water
n;foods;that;do;not;require;refrigeration;or
cooking;–;three;days;worth,;plus;a;can
opener;and;utensils
n;items;that;infants;and;elderly;household
members;may;require*
n;medical;equipment;and;devices;such;as
oxygen;tanks,;dentures,;crutches,;and
prostheses
n;changes;of;clothes;for;each;household
member
n;washing;kit,;soap,;towels,;rolls;of;toilet
paper
n;sleeping;bag;or;bedroll;and;pillow;for
each;household;member
n;checkbook,;cash,;and;credit;cards
n;state;and;city;maps;of;the;area;(Arizona
and;New;Mexico)
n;cell;phone,;batteries,;charger,;and;outlet
strip
n;Chochice;County;phone;book
n;pet;supplies,;medicines,;food,;water,
dishes,;leashes,;and;medical;records
E) IMPORTANT PAPERS TO
TAKE WITH YOU
n;driver’s;license;and/or;passport,;social
security;card,;birth;and;marriage
certificates
n;proof;of;residence;(deed;or;lease);plus
recent;utility;bills
n;insurance;policies;and;vehicle;titles
n;stocks,;bonds,;and;other;negotiable
certificates
n;wills,;deeds,;and;copies;of;recent;tax
returns
n;computer;back-up;disks;(or;consider
bringing;the;CPU;itself;with;cord)
n;family;photographs;are;often;the;only
thing;that;most;disaster;survivors;wish
they’d;brought;along
F) WHEN ORDERED TO
EVACUATE
Close;all;windows,;turn;off;water;and
power except to pump and water
tank. If possible, turn off propane,
load;vehicle,;and;go.;Time;may;be
very;short;so;prepare;ahead;of;time.
If you only have moments before
leaving,;grab;these;things;and;go:
n;medical;supplies,;prescription
medications;and;dentures
n;flashlight,;batteries,;radio,;first;aid;kit,
bottled;water;(one;gallon;per;person;and
per;pet)
n;clothing;and;bedding:;a;change;of
clothes;and;a;sleeping;bag;or;bedroll,
sleeping;pad,;and;pillow;for;each
household;member
n;car;keys;and;keys;to;the;place;you;may
be;going;(friend/relative)
H) PLAN AHEAD WELL
BEFORE AN EVACUATION
1);Make;a;visual;or;written
record;of;all;of;your;household
possessions.
2);Record;model;and;serial
numbers.
3);This;list;could;help;you;prove
the;value;of;what;you;owned;if
those;possessions;are;damaged
or;destroyed;and;can;assist;you
to;claim;deductions;on;taxes.
Photograph;or;video;all;items;in
your;home,;including;expensive
items;such;as;sofas,;chairs,
tables,;beds,;chests,;rugs,;wall
units,;art,;firearms,;and;satellite
dishes.;Photogram;or;scan
documents;listed;above.;Store;a
copy;of;the;records;somewhere
away;from;the;home;such;as;a
safe;deposit;box.
I) METALLY – VISUALIZE THE
PROCESS, CONDITIONS OF
AN EVACUATION
Doing the “mental homework” will
help;you;stay;calm;in;an;emergency
situation.;Expect;it;to;be;chaotic;and
for;you;to;feel;frustrated;at;the;lack;of
information;coming;from;emergency
responders.;This;is;to;be;expected,
but you can help by assisting and
reassuring others who are in the
situation;with;you.
