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Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024
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Six Month After Fires, It’s Time to Better Prepare

In the 110 years since the Red Cross came to San Diego, never have we as a community faced a disaster as extensive as the October 2007 Wildfires. The evacuation of more than 500,000 residents just six months ago was the largest fire evacuation in our country’s history and it came without warning.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from the San Diego community, thousands who lost everything received emergency assistance.

Many of our neighbors will continue to be helped by the Red Cross’s Recovery, Planning & Assistance team, which is collaborating with partner agencies to address the long-term issues facing these families.

It will be all too soon when Santa Ana winds visit us again, which is why we need to establish a culture of preparedness in our community.

That means every person, every family, every workplace and every community is prepared to take care of themselves during the first three days following a disaster.

How can your family become prepared? By taking action and getting ready now.

– & #8201;First, get a kit, complete with enough food, water, medications and supplies to sustain your family for 72 hours.

– & #8201;Second, make a plan. Determine what disasters might affect you. Decide where you will evacuate and how you will communicate with your family and coworkers.

– & #8201;Third, get trained in first aid, CPR and disaster response. Learning these lifesaving skills will empower you to provide initial care until medical services are available.

Seek out the American Red Cross to help you prepare your family and employees while the winds are calm. Better yet, do it today, while the aftermath of the wildfires are fresh in your mind.


Joe W. Craver is CEO of the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter.

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