Thank You to Our Firefighters
October is Firefighter Appreciation Month in California. It's a time dedicated to honoring the bravery and sacrifices of firefighters across the state.
Firefighters face demanding daily responsibilities that extend beyond fighting fires. They respond to various emergencies, including medical incidents, vehicle accidents, and hazardous material situations, often requiring rapid decision-making under pressure. At the station, they maintain equipment, conduct drills, and always stay prepared for immediate action.
The annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony was held on Saturday, October 12, at the State Capitol Park in Sacramento. This year, 36 fallen firefighters had their names inscribed on the Memorial Wall. Among those being honored are Chief Joshua Bischof and Captain Timothy Rodriguez, who tragically lost their lives alongside contract pilot Tony Sousa in a midair helicopter crash while battling the Broadway Fire in Riverside County on August 6, 2023. Their bravery, along with the sacrifices of their fellow firefighters, were remembered and honored at this solemn event.
In a year marked by nearly 1 million acres burned in our state, it's more crucial than ever to recognize the bravery and dedication of our firefighters. As citizens, we can do our part by being proactive and ensuring we are prepared in the event of a fire or other emergency. To stay wildfire-ready in California during October, especially with the Santa Ana winds that can exacerbate fire risks, residents should take several precautions:
- Create Defensible Space: Clear dry brush, leaves, and debris from around your home to create a buffer zone. Trim trees and shrubs to keep them well-spaced and remove any dead vegetation.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit that includes essentials like water, food, medications, important documents, and pet supplies. Ensure it's easily accessible in case you need to evacuate quickly. Stay Informed: Monitor local weather forecasts and fire warnings. Be aware of Santa Ana wind conditions, as these can increase the potential for wildfire spread.
- Review Your Fire Plan: Have an evacuation plan in place and discuss it with your family. Make sure everyone knows where to go and how to get there.
- Maintain Smoke Alarms: Regularly check and replace batteries in smoke alarms to ensure they function properly in case of an emergency.
By following these tips, you can enhance your preparedness and safety during wildfire season, particularly during periods of high wind. Below are some resources to help community members prepare for fire season.
The site offers multilingual resources, including:
· PSA videos on creating a "5-Minute Plan" and pre-pack essentials.
· Printable preparedness checklists.
· Guides on preventing and escaping house fires.
For more information and updates on events throughout October, visit CAFireFoundation.org and follow the Foundation on social media @CAFireFound on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
Alert San Diego is a multifunctional tool that provides disaster plan templates, early earthquake warnings, evacuation and shelter updates, hazard information, maps, and more. Additionally, it has links to social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X. The system can call landlines; however, cell phones must be registered to receive alerts. Click on the link above to register your cell phone number.
CalFire has a specific 'Ready for Wildfire' page that includes a link to their web-based app to customize your wildfire preparedness action plan, a registration page to sign up for text message alerts, and an Evacuation Guide. There are also tips for preventing wildfires, what to do after a wildfire, burn permit information, multiple toolkits, and more. Click the link above to access the app and register for alerts.
Humane Society Pet Disaster Preparedness
Ramona is a town full of livestock, horses, and house pets. While evacuating an indoor pet might be easy, animals such as horses, sheep, and goats are more challenging than packing up the family dog. Be sure to check out the Equine Disaster Preparedness page and Livestock Disaster Preparedness page for information and tips on keeping these animals safe during emergencies.
The OES Emergency Map is an interactive map that shows new and current active fires throughout California. It also shows contained fires, California evacuations, recent earthquakes, active shelters, and current wildfire perimeters. To view the map, click on the link above.
Ramona Fire Safety Go-To Guide
The Ramona West End Fire Council has provided a Fire Safety Go-To Guide PDF and Evacuation Map on their website. The guide is a comprehensive list of San Diego and Ramona emergency resources, including Cal Fire San Diego Unit, contact information for each Ramona Fire Station, San Diego County Hospitals, and more. The map includes Ramona fire station locations, main evacuation roads, schools, and more. To view and print the guide and map, click the link above.
Watch Duty is an app that tracks wildfires, gives real-time alerts, shows fire perimeters, lists evacuation orders and shelters, and monitors both wildfires and prescribed burns. Watch Duty is operated by real people, including firefighters, dispatchers, first responders, and reporters, and it uses their collaborative resources to report the facts. To download the app, click on the link above.
