1. Do not forget your telephone book with contact numbers in it

2. One thing we learned during the fire was to leave our doors unlocked.  We locked the doors when we left fearing the possibility of looters after the fire.  The neighborhood was secured by police after the evacuation was lifted, so looters was not an issue.  What happened was that the firefighters needed to check our attic for embers because of small fires they put out in our yard and on our patio.  They had to break 2 doors and a window to get in.  When the window was broken, it tore the roman shades. 

We were very fortunate that there was no fire in our attic or our house.  If we had left the doors unlocked there would have been about $15,000 less in damage. 

Penni Allen

3.  a) I forgot my phone charger.  Like most of us, I rely on my phone to contacts.  Also, I only took my computer hard drive, not the monitor or keyboard.  Where I evactuated to did not have any computer access, so when my cell phone battery died, I had no way of contacting anyone whose phone number I didn’t have memorized!  Nor could I email them.  A lot of people were unnecessarily worried, because I couldn’t reach them.

      b) The one I regret the most:  Not checking on ALL of my neighbors.  I live in the Hills condos, all us neighbors try to help each other as much as possible.  One of my neighbors is a single woman, so I helped her get packed up.  The others are all married or have roommates to help them.  As I was about to drive off, I had a thought that I should go check on one other neighbor/friend.  But I dismissed it, figuring her husband was home to help…they wouldn’t need my help.  Plus, my daughter was becoming hysterical by this point.  So I drove off and got out of there.  After the fires, my friend’s husband told me how awful it was for them.  You see, they only have one car.  His wife had gone to the hairdresser that morning and the police would not let her back in.  His two daughters and he kept waiting for her to come home, but she couldn’t.  Finally, he took what he could carry.  (They had to leave their cats behind.)  They started walking out as the fire was on the opposite side of the street.  He kept trying to flag someone – anyone – to give them a ride.  Finally, someone stopped.  His girls were so worried all night about not only their home, but also their pets.  How I wish I had just gone over and asked if he needed help!

     c) I packed up a change of clothes for my daughter, but it didn’t even dawn on me to pack up clothes for myself or my husband.  I just assumed we would be back in a few hours.  Ooops!  So much for optimism, huh?

Nancy Brisco

4) Lay out on livingroom floor all suitcases, tote bags, grocery bags, large trash bags, and zip lock bags to pack the below selections:

          - Photographs and valuable Pictures on Wall. Put in individual plastic bags to protect from each other.

          - Important Documents, like insurance.

           – Computer Floppies or Backup.

          - Purse, including Camera (take photos of home/condo for insurance).

          - Address Book.

          - Pack suitcases with Clothes and toiletries, etc., as though going on a long trip (forgot to do before).

          - Jewelry into suitcases.

          - Sleeping Bag and Pillow.

          - Before leaving: Close curtains/shutters/blinds/windows – to keep out  fire’s heat.

5) Turn ON lights - for visibility.

6) Turn OFF Air Conditioner/Heater – so that fire is not inhaled to your unit.

7) Close and Lock your Fire Safe. Put some/all contents in suitcase.

Lock front door. (Jans note-comment above suggests maybe not locking the door- Will have to ask FD?PD what they suggest)

9)  If sleeping while fire is near and your car is packed, wear Street Clothes, have Wrist Watch on and Purse nearby, ready for immediate  evacuation!

Patti Ruckert

A sign up for the CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) Program was available at the OCFA “Leave Early or Stay and Defend” program. The response was overwhelming! If you are interested in participating in this program and did not have a chance to sign up at this event, please call City Hall 714-961-7100. The first classes are anticipated to be held the beginning of March. more information will follow.