The Los Angeles County Fire Department is proud to unveil its new Wildland Fire Protection Initiative Program. This program, which consists of both internal departmental improvements to take place over the next several years and external community outreach elements for the public is, in part, a byproduct of Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman’s series of meetings which took place with the Corral Canyon Working Group, a representative group of homeowners from the Corral Canyon area who were devastatingly affected by the Corral Fire in November 2007.
After meeting with these homeowners consistently over a period of three months, they were able to gain a greater understanding and respect for the decisions made and actions taken by firefighters, said Freeman. At the same time, through their experiences, we were also able to learn about areas in which we can improve, both in terms of response and public education.
One such public education element is the development of the Living in the Fire Zone Fire Expo, several of which are scheduled to take place throughout Los Angeles County before the end of the year. The inaugural expo will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the Malibu Performing Arts Center in the City of Malibu, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. The expo will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will feature an array of static displays and presentations on Building Standards and Vegetation Management.
In a somewhat unprecedented move, the Department will also offer a presentation featuring guidance and education directed to homeowners who become trapped and cannot evacuate or simply make their own decision to stay. Vendors will also be on hand to provide information, products, and/or demonstrations. These vendors will feature products ranging from basic emergency supplies to personal protective equipment to portable fire suppression systems to emergency response
It is important to understand that the Department does not advocate a property owner’s decision to stay, said Freeman. We believe it is in everyone’s best interest if everyone would evacuate early and quickly; however, the sad truth is that, despite orders to evacuate, some property owners just won’t.
It is those property owners especially, according to Freeman, the department is trying to reach. For those who make a decision to stay, it must be an informed decision. They need to understand the conditions to which they can be subjected, they need to be properly prepared and equipped and, most important, they need to fully understand the risk at which they are placing not only themselves, but also the firefighters.
While this expo will address the issue of staying, it will also continue to focus on educating homeowners on how to properly prepare themselves and their property prior to evacuation. Attendees can also visit with law enforcement officials, representatives from Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, and the American Red Cross to learn more about how each of these agencies responds during an emergency. Finally, residents will also receive information on forming Fire Safe Councils within their own neighborhoods.
Over the next two months, additional Fire Expos are being planned throughout Los Angeles County, including Whittier Hills, Santa Clarita, Claremont, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Industry, and the Antelope Valley. As part of the Wildland Fire Protection Initiative Program, these expos are planned to take place annually.