LAFD Offers Readiness Tips For Wildland Fire Season

Courtesy/LAFD

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

The high level of fire danger throughout the Western United States is drawing more and more people to become involved in the Ready, Set, Go! Program, which seeks to develop and improve the dialogue between fire departments and the residents they serve.

Los Alamos Fire Department Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna says the program helps people in high fire risk areas like Los Alamos to learn what fire resources are available in the event of a fire and what role they as individuals can play in preparedness and evacuation if necessary.

“The Ready, Set, Go! Program has been shown to increase the safety of residents and firefighters responding to a wildland fire,” Sterna said. “In this three-part series with the Los Alamos Daily Post, our fire department is encouraging Los Alamos County residents to prepare their property and family for the possibility of a wildland fire in the area.”

  • READY FOR THE FIRE THREAT:  LAFD recommends taking personal responsibility and preparing long before the threat of a wildland fire so that your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensive space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe place. Plan escape routes and make sure all those residing in the home know the plan of action.
  • SET – SITUATIONAL AWARENESS WHEN A FIRE STARTS: LAFD says to pack your emergency items. Know how to receive and stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, LAFD and public safety officials.
  • GO! – ACT EARLY: LAFD encourages residents to follow their personal wildland fire action plan and to be sure to adhere to the community’s evacuation processes. Doing so will not only support your safety but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat a fire.

Chief Sterna said preparing the community for a wildland fire is a very important goal which takes cooperation from the federal level to individual homeowners.

“We all share the responsibility to reduce wildland fire risk and to have our communities as prepared as possible for any fire event,” he said.

Marisol Padilla of the LAFD Community Outreach program said material on defensible space, fire danger levels and the Ready, Set, Go! program are available to the public at LAPD Fire Administration on the second floor at 999 Central Ave. Information and flyers also will be distributed at Wildfire Day,  Saturday, March 31 at Ashley Pond Park. For more information, call 505.662.8301.

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