We are working on a fabulous new website for our chapter and need some donated pictures of Santa Cruz!  If you’re a professional photographer or just have some awesome shots, please let us know!  We will credit your name on the site if your photo is used.

Contact Lindsay at: lsegersin@sccredcross.org

Chances are, you’re a little bummed about the fireworks ban and more than a little bummed about the cancellation of the big professional show in Scotts Valley.  This year is unfortunately exceptional; Santa Cruz County - once coined “asbestos county” because of its lack of wildfire - is exceptionally dry and prone to fire.  Any spark can start a fire that destroys the lives of the people and animals who live in the area.  We have seen 3 such destrutive fires in our county thus far, only one month into fire season.

On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more reported outdoor fires in the United States than all other causes of outdoor fire combined, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  While highly vegitated areas and mountainous areas are most prone to wildfire, any fire can become out of control in the current conditions.  If you live in a highly populated area, you are not free of fire danger.

This Fourth of July, please think twice before you set off any fireworks.  One year without fireworks can make a huge difference in Santa Cruz County.

Alternatives to Fireworks:

• Scotts Valley will still be having the 4th of July Parade and concert by the Govenor’s Marching Band at Skypark. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. at Civic Center and Scotts Valley drives. The concert will start at 5 p.m.
• Join the 4th festivities in Aptos, including the “Worlds Shortest Parade” and Picnic.
• If you have children, consider these fun ideas from HGTV.com: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_entertaining_occasions/article/0,,HGTV_3115_1390110,00.html
• Go to a movie - see one with plenty of explosions.
• Go on a road trip to a location that has a professional fireworks show.
• Check out the Boardwalk - an original piece of Americana.
• Get a Pinata!  Explodes like fireworks, but with no fire - and the added bonus of candy.

It has been a rough start to summer and the fire season here in Santa Cruz County. Fire season in California is long - it doesn’t end until the start of the fall rains. Fire crews expect that hot spot will still exist throughout the summer as a result of the Summit and Martin fires. If you and your family are in a wildfire prone area and have not prepared for a fire evacuation or emergency - now is the time!

Our friends at the Santa Clara County Chapter have put together this guide to fire preparedness. If you have any specific questions, please leave a comment here or give our chapter a call at 831-462-2881. We would be happy to help you get prepared!

Wildfire Preparedness Information/Tips

More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire.

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property.

Practice Wildfire Safety

• People start most wildfires…find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.
• Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws. Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
• Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
• Plan several escape routes away from your home by car and by foot.
• Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors’ skills, such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get home.

Protect Your Home

• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Code 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications.)
• Use 1/2-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof, and attic.
  Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
• Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it’s kept.
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
• Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, ax, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel.

Before Wildfire Threatens

• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind.
• Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.
• Use fire resistant or non-combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling. Or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking, or trim with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals.
• Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.

Create a 30- to 100-Foot Safety Zone Around Your Home.

• Within this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat. Homes built in pine forests should have a minimum safety zone of 100 feet. If your home sits on a steep slope, standard protective measures may not suffice. Contact your local fire department or forestry of fice for additional information.
• Rake leaves, dead limbs, and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
• Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures and dispose of them properly.
• Thin a 15-foot space between tree crowns, and remove limbs within 15 feet of the ground.
• Remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
• Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of a stovepipe or chimney outlet.
• Ask the power company to clear branches from power lines.
• Remove vines from the walls of the home.
• Mow grass regularly.
• Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Place a screen over the grill–use non-flammable material with mesh no coarser than one-quarter inch.
• Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish at an approved site. Follow local burning regulations.
• Place stove, fireplace, and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for two days, then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil.
  Store gasoline, oily rags, and other flammable materials in approved safety cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
• Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. Clear combustible material within 20 feet. Use only UL-approved wood burning devices.

Plan Your Water Needs

• Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
• Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
• Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home.
• Consider obtaining a portable gasoline-powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.

When Wildfire Threatens

• If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.
• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.

If Advised to Evacuate, Do So Immediately

• Wear protective clothing–sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a handkerchief to protect your face.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your home.
• Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
• Choose a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

If You’re sure You Have Time, Take Steps to Protect Your Home
Inside:

• Close windows, vents, doors, venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings, and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
• Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
• Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding-glass doors
• Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Outside:

• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
• Set up the portable gasoline-powered pump.
• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.
• Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
• Gather fire tools.

Emergency Supplies

When wildfire threatens, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, dufflebags, or trash containers.
Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler’s checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of eyeglasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Assemble a smaller version of your kit to keep in the trunk of your car.

Create a Family Disaster Plan

Wildfire and other types of disasters–hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, hazardous materials spill, winter storm–can strike quickly and without warning. You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan. To get started. . .

• Contact your local Red Cross chapter
• Find out about the hazards in your community.
• Ask how you would be warned.
• Find out how to prepare for each type of disaster.

Meet With Your Family

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
• Explain how to prepare and respond to each type of disaster.
• Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate.
• Practice what you have discussed.

Plan How Your Family Will Stay in Contact if Separated by Disaster
Pick two meeting places:
1.A place a safe distance from your home in case of a home fire.
2.A place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in contact” for everyone to call.

Complete These Steps

• Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
• Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity at main switches.
• Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
• Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training.

Your Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
“Are You Ready for a Fire?” (ARC 4456)
“Fire Safety Pictorial Brochure” (ARC 5036) designed for people of low literacy. Contains few words, and those are in both English and Spanish.
“Safe Living in Your Manufactured Home” (ARC 4465) gives fire, flood, and tornado safety information for people who live in manufactured (mobile) homes.
“Your Family Disaster Plan” (ARC 4466)
“Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit” (ARC 4463)

Materials for Children:
Fire Prevention Week Campaign Kit (ARC 5016)
Contains ideas, stories, sample news releases, camera-ready artwork, and information for use during Fire Prevention Week, and, since most of the information in the kit is undated, throughout the year.
“Be Ready 1-2-3″ features a children’s workbook (ARC 5017), Instructor’s Manual (ARC 5018), “How-To” Guide (ARC 5019), and “completion certificate” (C-814) that involve puppets who give important safety information to children ages 3-8 about residential fire safety, winter storms, and earthquakes.
“Fire Safety Activity Poster” (ARC 5034) is an 18″ x 24″ poster designed for children ages 4-8 on one side, and 8-12 on the other. Contains a maze, puzzle, word find, and coloring pages. In English and Spanish.
“Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book” (PDF File) (ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) for children ages 3-10.
“Adventures of the Disaster Dudes” (ARC 5024) video and Presenter’s Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6.

DONATE NOW

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the residents affected by the Summit Fire that has charred more than 3,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains and caused mandatory evacuations of more than 300 homes.   The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross opened a shelter in the Crosetti Building at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, located at 2601 East Lake Avenue in Watsonville. More than 20 people spent the night in the Red Cross shelter.  The American Red Cross will be providing food, shelter and counseling at this site until evacuated residents are allowed to return to their homes or until alternative housing is available.  The Salvation Army has already provided over 300 meals to evacuees as well as first responders not covered by CalFire.

American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles will going to the fire lines along Highway 152, as well as to the town of Corralitos to provide snacks, water, supplies, masks and information to evacuees and emergency personnel.

About 100 Red Cross volunteers from six Red Cross chapters (Bay Area, Carmel Area, Monterey-San Benito Counties, Palo Alto Area, Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz County) have been on the scene responding to meet the needs of those affected by the fire.

Residents should contact CAL FIRE at (831) 335-6717 or (831) 335-6718 for information on whether their homes are in an evacuation area.  Any residents who are unable to remain safely in their homes may evacuate to the Red Cross shelter.  For up-to-date information on shelter locations or to request Red Cross assistance contact your local chapter, as follows:

- American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter – (831) 462-2881

The Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority is assisting with large animal evacuation to the Fairgrounds. Approximately 120 horses, six goats and a cow have been evacuated to the fairgrounds.  People needing assistance moving livestock should call (831) 454-7303. Household pets are being sheltered at the Santa Cruz Pet Resort in Santa Cruz.

Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases, including asthma. Individuals with respiratory illnesses should be take precautions to reduce and minimize exposure to wildfire smoke.  You can take steps to help protect yourself from wildfire smoke by:

• Reducing the amount of time spent outdoors. This can usually provide some protection, especially in a tightly closed, air-conditioned house in which the air-conditioner can be set to re-circulate air instead of bringing in outdoor air. Staying inside with the doors and windows closed can usually reduce exposure.
• Reducing the amount of time engaged in vigorous outdoor physical activity. This can be an important and effective strategy to lower the dose of inhaled air pollutants and minimize health risks during a smoke event.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is FREE, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. If you are interested in helping people affected by local disasters, such as the Summit Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains, please  visit our website, sccredcross.org.

Wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains

An evacuation site has been established at the Fair Grounds in Watsonville, CA. Evacuees may go there to receive American Red Cross Services including prepared meals, counseling, and information.

Safe and Well

Register with the American Red Cross Safe and Well website to let families and friends know that you are safe. If you are looking for someone from the affected area, check Safe and Well to find out if they are registered.

]]> http://sccredcross.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/wildfire-evacuation-site-information-522/feed/ Santa Cruz Red Cross http://sccredcross.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/national-volunteer-week/ http://sccredcross.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/national-volunteer-week/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:17:01 +0000 Santa Cruz County American Red Cross http://sccredcross.wordpress.com/?p=58

(from redcross.org)

The week of April 27 to May 3 marks National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate those who make a difference in their communities and inspire others to discover their power to be agents for social change. National Volunteer Week has been recognized every year since 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish the week as an annual celebration of volunteering

As the nation’s largest volunteer organization, the American Red Cross is a leader in providing meaningful opportunities for people from all walks of life to help those in need. The Red Cross depends on volunteers to provide relief to victims of disaster, donate blood for those facing medical emergencies, teach lifesaving skills such as first aid and water safety, and respond to calls for assistance from our sister societies in other nations.

If you’d like to make a difference, contact the Santa Cruz County Chapter at 831-462-2881 or visit our website, www.sccredcross.org.

On Saturday, May 17 from 9am-2pm the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a disaster drill.

During the drill, emergency service volunteers will practice the skills they need during disaster:

– opening up a shelter for people displaced by the disaster

– preparing a meal for a large group

– providing for medical and mental health needs

– issuing client assistance

We need community members who are willing to act as our disaster victims. Lunch will be provided. This is a great chance to see what the American Red Cross of Santa Cruz County can do if our community is struck by a disaster. Please join us!

If you’re interested in helping or have any questions, please call us at 831-462-2881 x20.

What are the Geneva Conventions? What countries agree to them?

How does the Red Cross support the Geneva Conventions?

What is International Humanitarian Law?

The Carmel Area Chapter, located at 8th Avenue and Dolores Street in Carmel, will welcome Benjamin Ajak and Dr. Ashis Brahma to their chapter on March 12, 2008 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Benjamin Ajak is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and co-author of the acclaimed book “They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky”.

Dr. Ashis Brahma served with the International Rescue Committee as the sole physician in the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad.

Anyone is welcome. For more information, please call the Carmel Area Chapter of the American Red Cross at 831-624-6921.

A blog is now available for information on the Red Cross response to the recent tornadoes in several southern states:

http://redcrosstn.wordpress.com/

Volunteers from Santa Cruz County have not yet been called, but are standing by. In the event that they are needed .

If you are looking for loved ones in the effected area, please visit our Safe and Well site at https://disastersafe.redcross.org/