Before The Threat






Volunteers Needed to Help Deliver the Prevention Packages Door to Door

View and Download Volunteer FAQ's and Information Here

To sign up please send your information to:
lvillarreal@smgfire.org


OVERVIEW

The “Before the Threat” campaign was created as a pilot program in partnership between the San Miguel Fire District and Farmers Insurance. Preparedness packages were delivered in a door to door campaign to 10,500 homes in our high hazard urban interface areas. This unique public education exceeded all expectations. Farmers is helping The San Diego County Fire Chief’s Association and the Office of Emergency Services take the program to high hazard urban interface areas throughout the County. Packets for at least 400,000 homes.

DESCRIPTION
There are many lessons learned during the two historic wildfires to hit San Diego County in the last five years. For fire departments and fire districts alike, a key lesson is the value and payoff of public education. In the aftermath of the 2007 Wildfires it became evident public education within our County helped minimize injury and property loss. The more we can rely on public education means our firefighters are subjected to increasingly fewer risk factors.

In San Diego County the threat of wildfire exists year round. This unique environment means we must be diligent in our education efforts and must constantly continue to inform and instruct. Our next efforts will take our community education efforts to a new level. The traditional printed information will be supplemented by a more interactive video presentation of real time facts and demonstrations. Each household in our Urban Interface area will receive the “Before the Threat” preparedness package. The custom DVD will provide segments on topics ranging from creating defensible space, to planning evacuations. Our approach to preparedness will include threats from earthquakes to pandemics. In addition to video presentations, the DVDs will contain downloadable document files, which residents can print from their home computers. Printouts will include evacuation plan workbooks, emergency contact information sheets, as well as a home inventory log. This comprehensive kit will give residents the tools they need to prepare in advance for our next regional disaster. We have learned time and again that advanced preparation and community cooperation can preserve neighborhoods and most importantly save lives.

GOALS
The goal of “Before the Threat” is to streamline education efforts by simplifying the disaster preparedness process in an informative and entertaining format. By using graphic on-scene fire footage, sound narration, interviews and full screen graphics we will involve more of the viewers’ senses and emotions. This approach will undoubtedly increase recall and retention rates when called upon to quickly apply the information. Another goal of this important initiative is to send post card reminders corresponding to the time change where residents will be encouraged to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors and review selected chapters of the video.

IMPLEMENTATION
The release of the “Before the Threat” DVD will begin with homes within our highest hazard areas in July of 2009. The DVD and accompanying informational pamphlets will be hand delivered to the homes of 400,000 San Diego County residents by Firefighters, Reserves, Explorers, and devoted volunteers from one end of the county to the other. Not only will this approach create a sensation of unity, but will also keep the costs of postage to a minimum so more resources can be dedicated to informative materials. It will be a wonderful opportunity for first responders to interact with members of the community and spread the message of our preparedness mission. To make this happen, involved partners will help create a volunteer army of about 3,000 residents to deliver the packets “door to door”. This massive endeavor will also add greatly to the media buzz.

Topics included are:

  • A Message from the President of the San Diego County Fire Chief’s Assn.

    • An overview of the DVD and the importance of preparedness

  • A Look at the Harris Fire

    • A video retrospect of fire and the damage it caused

  • Your Neighborhood Dangers

    • A customized look at danger areas in the District   

  • Understanding the Wildfire

    • Information on what elements combine to create a high Wildland fire hazard and details on just how fast a wildfire can advance and how that advance should impact your reaction time.

  • Protect Your Home   

    • Tips on cleaning roofs and gutters, screen covers for attic vents.

    • Evidence from recent wildfires in the West has shown that vents are an easy entry point for burning embers. This section will detail the most effective vent screens and promote the availability of new, free screens (1/8-inch mesh screen vent coverings or less) for residents. Budget will dictate the number of screens that can be given out.

  • Creating the Safety Zone

    • Defensible space is critical in protecting homes. Here we will detail the various defense zones around a home and rely on a local Master Gardener to help select “fire-wise” landscaping.

  • Evacuation Plans

    • When to go, where to go, family contacts. What to take, emergency supplies, medication. When to trigger your evacuation plan.

  • Family Disaster Plans

    • Printable forms for creating a family plan and video on how to best conduct a family meeting to discuss and develop a plan. Including alternate routes. What’s the plan if a family member can’t get in to help other family members out.

  • Information Resources

    • This section is devoted on where residents can get more information. Before the threat and during. Websites, phone numbers and broadcast frequencies were residents could get updated information.

  • Insurance Preparedness Guide

    • Experts from Farmers Insurance provide residents important information on insurance. The Farmers team will develop this critical section of the DVD. San Miguel’s Fire Chief will make final content approval.