Mayor Ashcraft Shares Fire Safety Tips From Fire Chief Nick Luby

We all watched in horror as fires raged in Southern California last month. Joining firefighters from across California, Canada, and Mexico were eight Alameda Fire Department (AFD) members. AFD personnel assigned to the initial attack of the Palisades fire worked 72 hours straight upon arrival; others were deployed to the Eaton Incident in Altadena to operate AFD’s water tender and help an urban search and rescue team locate missing residents. All eight have now returned safely to Alameda. So when you see a firefighter be sure to say, “Thank you!”

Could it happen here?

As Mayor, my top priority is the health and safety of our residents. I asked Alameda Fire Chief Nick Luby, a 26-year fire service veteran, how residents can prepare for and protect themselves from catastrophic fires.

According to Chief Luby, typical Alameda weather patterns do not present conditions conducive to a firestorm like the ones in Los Angeles last month, but climate change could result in changes to our weather patterns, such as excessive winds. Although Alameda is not located within a wildfire hazard area, there is a small chance we could experience a wind-driven structure-to-structure fire that could create an ember cast with the potential to start fires several blocks away. “If we ever experience a structure-to-structure wind-driven conflagration, there is not much to do other than follow evacuation orders and move away from the impacted area. Preservation of life is the number one priority; material items can be replaced.”

Residents should identify areas close to their homes that could be used as a safe temporary refuge area, either during a wind-driven fire, or post-earthquake, as aftershocks continue to shake the ground. For example, parks, parking lots, school playgrounds, Crown Memorial Beach, or other large, non-combustible locations.

Residents should not store flammable debris or materials within five feet of their home, to reduce the chance of debris or materials igniting if an ember lands on them and catches the structure on fire. Also remove dead vegetation close to homes.

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More advice from Chief Luby

Prepare for a house fire:

• Create a fire escape plan. Identify two exits from every room (doors/windows).
• Establish a safe meeting place outside for family (e.g., mailbox or neighbor’s house).
• Teach children how to escape on their own, if necessary.
• Install smoke alarms; they save lives. Place smoke detectors in every bedroom, hallway, and on every level of your home. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries annually (unless sealed with 10-year batteries). Consider interconnected alarms that all sound when one detects smoke.
• Periodically check with your insurance carrier to ensure adequate coverage for rebuilding and long-term housing (rental costs). Unfortunately, as construction costs continue to rise, many individuals discover that they were underinsured after a fire.
• Document your home’s contents with video or photos once a year to help document all your losses if you must make an insurance claim. Be sure to include the contents of drawers, cabinets, and closets,
• Scan and place family photos in the cloud, (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). Do this for important documents, too, including IDs, passports, insurance policies, trusts, etc.

Fireproof your home:

• Keep flammable materials (curtains, papers, cleaning supplies) away from heat sources.
• Place fire extinguishers in key areas (kitchen, garage, near fireplaces).
• Do not overload electrical circuits.
• Never leave your stove unattended while cooking; turn off heat sources when not in use.
• Clean lint from the dryer vent after every load.

Prepare a “go bag” that can be quickly accessed and taken with you. Include:

• Important documents: ID, passport, insurance policies (home, vehicle,
•  life), trusts, etc.
• Emergency contacts and phone numbers. This will help if you do not have your cell phone or if it is inoperable.
• Backup phone charger.
• Seven-day supply of medications, written list of medications and doses, and small first-aid kit.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Change of clothes, shoes, and toiletries.
• Pet supplies (leash, food, medications).
• Flashlight and batteries.
• If possible, place the “go bag” just inside the garage door for easy access from outside.

What if your house catches fire?

• Evacuate immediately. Do not stop for belongings or pets.
• Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Feel doors before opening. If hot, find another exit.
• Use stairs, never elevators.
• Escape through windows, if necessary.
• If you are trapped, signal for help by waving a cloth or flashlight from a window and yelling.
• If you can safely access your “go bag,” grab it. Otherwise, evacuate and retrieve it once fire is extinguished, if possible.
• Alert others: Yell to wake family members; alert neighbors if the fire in your home threatens theirs.
• Once outside, call 911 immediately from a safe location.
• DO NOT go back inside for any reason. The fire can double in size every minute, so what was bearable when you exited will be much different if you try to re-enter.
• When first responders arrive, tell them where any unaccounted individuals were last seen inside the home.

After a house fire:

• Wait for fire officials to declare your home safe to enter. They will most likely escort you in.
• Contact your insurance company ASAP. Request an advance payment if you need emergency housing.
• Take photos/videos of damage for documentation.
• Secure your property: Board up broken windows and doors to prevent theft and further damage, and to reduce your liability.
• Find short-term temporary housing with family, friends, or at a hotel.
• Salvage and clean what you can. Retrieve important documents, if possible. Utilize professional help to clean smoke-damaged items.
• Replace important documents—driver’s license, Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, insurance policies.
• Consider getting a P.O. Box if you no longer have a mailing address after a fire loss.

Improve your resilience

Sign up for Alameda CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training. This hybrid Zoom and online training combined with a hands-on Skills Weekend will teach you to provide emergency assistance to your family and neighbors. Chief Luby says, “The more CERT members we have, the more resilient we will be post-disaster.” For more information call 510-337-2129 or email [email protected].

Be Alameda Strong, Safe, and Resilient!

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email protected].