After wildfires spread across the Los Angeles area in the past few yearsand forced tens of thousands of Southern Californians to evacuate their homes, it’s more crucial than ever to think about fire safety and your own preparedness for fire emergencies of any kind.
Jon Heggie, a retired division chief at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) defines home wildfire preparedness as “having all the things readily available if you are asked to evacuate.” Heggie is currently a project advisor at San Diego Gas & Electric, where he specializes in operational field and emergency readiness.
While this can mean an already packed to-go bag containing things like extra clothes, food, water and medication, Heggie says it’s also helpful to just keep a running list of where your important documents and sentimental items are around the house.
“We don’t want people to live in a constant state of fear and being packed, ready to go,” Heggie said. “But having that, you know — insurance papers, hall closet. Pictures, pick ’em up here. Know where those items are throughout your house to be able to grab and go at a moment’s notice.”
While planning and preparing can’t stop emergencies from happening, having the supplies you need and some sense of direction can keep you and your family safer during a catastrophe. This is the case for home fires, too, according to Michael Kozo, New York City Fire Department (FDNY) captain and commanding officer of the FDNY’s Fire Safety Education Unit.
