Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response
e-Buzz
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23 October 2007 |
Wildfire
Sweeps Southern California
"Evacuee" is taking on a new meaning
in California as wildfires cause thousands to seek
shelter. In San Diego county as many as 1000
homes may be lost as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. An
additional 5000 are in danger. 300,000 persons
have been forced from their homes.
The American Red Cross has opened numerous shelters,
providing a safe place for evacuees to be with
their families. Many have had to flee their
homes with little more than they could carry. If
you have family members or friends that you are
concerned about, you can call 1-800-Red Cross or
go online and search www.redcross.org to see if friends or family have registered
and know that they are safe.
Here in Central Texas we understand all too well
that this dangerous period of continued response
to the wildfires will be followed by long-term
recovery. If you are looking for a way to
assist these families, the easiest and best way
is to send financial support. TIDR encourages
you to give to your faith community, give to the
American Red Cross or other national or local agency
that will be providing services for the long months
ahead.
Finally, turn to your spiritual roots, and pray
for help and comfort to all those affected, for
strength and safety for all first responders, and
for the resources (spiritual, emotional, physical,
financial) that will be needed when the road to
recovery begins and extends.
I thank you in advance for your care and concern
for our brothers and sisters in Southern California,
Amy Elder
Executive Director
TIDR
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Fire is The
Most Commonly Occurring Natural Disaster
After one of the wettest summers on record, do you
remember the drought of 2005-2006? In Texas
fire claimed over two million acres of land. And
even though we are not as dry as in the past, today
the wind is high which increases the risk for wildfire.
Right now in Bastrop, the 10th Annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire
Academy is in full session. There are
approximately 830 attendees, the largest academy
ever hosted, and with participants from some 28 states
and more than 50 instructors. They have trained more
than 4000 students over the last ten years. These
men and women are training for situations exactly
like the wildfires now occurring in California.
It is time now for all Texans to take the proper
steps to "help prevent wildfire." Please visit
the Texas Forest Service website at txforestservice.tamu.edu for more information and updates regarding California if
Texas resources are deployed. A great website
for things that you can do NOW is www.firewise.org.
Again, each of us should actively prepare for Disaster
Situations so that we can build disaster resilient
communities and mitigate the impact of disaster that
may come our way. If you would like more information
on Disaster Preparedness for your congregation or
organization, please contact TIDR.
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How Fire
Wise are You?
from firewise.org
I recognized that flying embers can ignite my house,
so...
1. I have a non-flammable roof covering. Yes? No?
2. I sweep my roof and gutters once or twice a year
to avoid a build-up of leaves. Yes? No?
3. I remove dead leaves, vegetation, and other flammable
debris from around and under my house. Yes? No?
4. I store my firewood away from buildings. Yes?
No?
5. Trees on my property are pruned so that their
lowest limbs are 6-10 feet from the ground. Yes?
No?
6. I always check to confirm whether or not a burning
ban is in effect in my area before burning anything
outside. Yes? No?
7. When I conduct an outside burning project, I think
about how my fire could escape. I take preventative
actions by keeping the area clear of other combustible
materials and staying by the fire with a hose ready
in case of emergency. Yes? No?
8. A thirty-foot area around my house is kept clear
to allow emergency equipment access in case of emergency.
Yes? No?
9. My family knows all emergency exits from our neighborhood,
and has talked about how and when to use them if
a wildfire is approaching. Yes? No?
10. My family and I understand that we may be away
from home at the time of a wildfire. We realize
that it is important for us not to return home until
danger of fire has passed because we will obstruct
emergency equipment and firefighting personnel. Yes?
No?
For the Correct Answers, go
to firewise.org.
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YOUR COMMUNITY
GUIDE & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
If a natural or human-caused disaster occurred right
now, while your members were attending services -
would your organization have a game plan? Would
those in attendance know what to do?
TIDR is encouraging all faith based organizations
to make a plan, appoint a Disaster Contact Person, and become
part of a Central Texas network of faith communities
able to respond to their members and neighbors in
times of disaster.
It is critical
that interested groups participate in a current survey
of
local faith based groups sponsored by TIDR. Survey results
will be
compiled by www.yourcommunityguide.org, a local website hosting a
comprehensive listing of area faith based organizations. Survey
responders are encouraged to visit http://www.yourcommunityguide.org/community/ to view a listing of organizations searchable by faith
tradition.
If you would like more information about the survey or
the role of a Disaster Contact Person, please call TIDR
and ask for Amy Elder or Amanda Boone.
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