Interested community members joined local and state resources to discuss the idea of a Firewise Program for San Manuel at the community center in San Manuel. Photo by T.C. Brown
Local and State resources including Oracle Firewise, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), Pinal County Emergency Management, San Manuel Revitalization Coalition, San Manuel Fire and more joined together to talk with community members about the importance of starting a Firewise Program in San Manuel.
Lessons learned from the Oracle area were discussed based on 20 years of being part of the Firewise Program. The recent Cedar and Cody Fires were addressed. Southern Arizona now has a fire season that happens all year long. Fire behavior has proven to be erratic in our high-risk areas with large amounts of fuel. Flooding has proven to be a factor after the recent fires.
This idea will need feet to grow. Volunteers will be the catalyst to make this happen in our community. More information on the San Manuel Revitalization Coalition can be found at https://www.sanmanuelaz.com. They can be reached via email at sanmanuelrc@gmail.com.
AZEIN Submitted
Firewise steps help reduce the risks though does not eliminate it completely.
Community awareness and support is a vital component in building a strong foundation for becoming Firewise. It is hoped that the recent fires are a wake-up call to the area. All in attendance believe it is When, not if, for the next fire. We should do all we can to ensure we are as ready as we can be.
Ready, Set, Go! is a nationwide program adopted by the 15 Arizona Sheriffs that educates residents about proactive measures to take before an emergency and actions to follow when communities are threatened. Law enforcement establishes evacuation plans and orders.
The three steps encourage Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.
Interested individuals can reach out to Debi Pfaff at 520-526-5435, or via email at natrevhealth@yahoo.com.
All-Hazard Evacuation Steps
READY – Prepare Now
Be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community.
Take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats.
Register with your county/tribal emergency notification system.
Connect with your local emergency management office, sheriff’s office and public health department on social media.
Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes family phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations.
Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours. Include supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, such as face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Start with the five P’s; people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items.
Check with your neighbors, family, friends and elders through video chats or phone calls to ensure they are READY.
Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings and public health recommendations
SET – Be Alert
Know there is significant danger in your area.
Residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
Grab your emergency go kit.
Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.
Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.
This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.
GO! – Evacuate
Danger in your area is imminent and life threatening.
Residents should evacuate immediately to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.
Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.
5 Ps of Evacuation
People and Pets and other animals/livestock and supplies.
Prescriptions with dosages, medicines, medical equipment, vision and hearing aids, batteries and power cords, face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
Papers including important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or thumb drives), insurance papers, contacts.
Personal needs including clothing, water, baby supplies, food, cash, credit cards, first aid kits, phones, and chargers. Items for people with access and/or functional needs, such as older adults and children.
Priceless items including photos, irreplaceable mementos and other valuables.
ZONE 1: 0 – 30 feet from buildings
Trim or prune shrubs/vegetation to a height of 2 feet and provide clear space around each plant of at least 4 feet.
Remove all flammable material from the ground, under decks and around propane tanks. Keep roofs and gutters clear of debris.
ZONE 2: 30 – 100 feet from buildings
Remove all vegetation that would allow flames to climb up vegetation or buildings. Trim limbs a minimum of 6 feet from ground. Create islands of shrubs, thinning them enough to walk between them.
On slopes greater than 20 percent gradient, treatment should be extended an additional 100 feet from structures. Stack wood piles at least 30 feet from structures. Never prune near power lines, call your local utility company first.
Flooding Preparedness – Know your risk
While some floods develop over time, flash floods can occur within minutes after the onset of a rainstorm. Even areas that are not traditionally flood-prone are at risk after a wildfire, due to changes to the landscape caused by fire.
At home
Know the flood risk potential for your home.
Around Arizona
Use your cell phone and NOAA weather radio to receive weather warnings. Ensure you have NOAA weather radio coverage before hiking or swimming in remote locations.
Know the differences between a weather watch and a weather warning
Flash flood watch – be prepared to move to higher ground.
Flash flood warning – immediately move to higher ground if near waterways.
Steep terrain and mountainous areas are especially prone to rapid runoff during monsoon storms and may result in flash flooding miles downstream from where rain is falling.
Avoid streams and slot canyons during and after storms.
More information can be found online at https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.
County Emergency Notification Systems
Many Arizona counties and tribes have a system in place designed to quickly notify an affected area of an emergency by sending a voice or text message to you. Pinal County has PENS.
WHAT IS PENS?
PENS stands for Pinal Emergency Notification System. It is Pinal County’s tool to notify residents of any impending or current emergency where action by residents may be necessary. PENS utilizes the Genasys Emergency Management software.
A PENS alert notifies residents when an emergency is immediately impacting their community, and they may need to take action. These notifications are usually reserved for more severe situations where life or property may be threatened. They can also be used in situations such as a weather alert or wildfire, where time is of the essence, and immediate notification is imperative.
Alerts are issued through phone, text, and/or email, depending on how you registered to receive your alerts. PENS can also be indirectly posted to County or departmental social media channels and can be sent according to any geographic boundaries necessary or be used as a countywide message blast.
A Firewise evacuation plan involves creating a home and neighborhood strategy to prepare for and respond to wildfires, which includes building a defensible space around your home, creating a family emergency plan with multiple evacuation routes and meeting points, and assembling a “go bag” with essential supplies. It’s also important to know when and how to leave, follow evacuation orders, and practice the plan regularly with all household members.
More information on PENS can be found at https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS—Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst.
Firewise Preparation Ideas
- Prepare your home and yard
Create defensible space: Clear flammable vegetation, dead leaves, and branches from around your home. Move firewood stacks and propane tanks away from the house.
“Harden” your home: Use fire-resistant materials and seal any gaps where embers could enter, such as around vents, eaves, and windows.
Prepare for departure: Move flammable outdoor items like patio furniture, doormats, and trash cans into the garage or 30 feet away from the structure.
Shut off utilities (if advised): Shut off the gas at the meter or propane tank. Connect garden hoses to outside water valves to help firefighters.
- Create a family and community evacuation plan
Establish roles and responsibilities: Determine who is responsible for what during an evacuation, including pets.
Designate meeting places: Plan for both an immediate meeting place outside the home and a secondary one farther from the neighborhood.
Map multiple routes: Identify at least two different escape routes out of your neighborhood and test-drive them, so you have options if one is blocked.
Post your address: Ensure your home’s address is clearly visible from the street so emergency responders can find it.
Communicate: Register for local emergency alerts and set up a communication plan so family members know how to reach each other.
- Assemble an emergency kit (“Go Bag”)
Pack essentials: Include a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water, a first-aid kit, medications, and copies of important documents.
Include personal items: Add extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, cash, credit cards, and pet food and water.
Add necessary tools: Pack a flashlight, a battery-powered or crank radio, and extra batteries.
Keep it ready: Keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed in case of a sudden night evacuation.
- Practice your plan and know when to leave
Rehearse your plan: Conduct an annual evacuation drill to practice your plan with everyone in the household.
Follow evacuation orders: Leave as soon as you receive an evacuation warning or order.
Drive with a full tank: Back your car into the driveway with the front facing out, and make sure the vehicle is ready to go with a full tank of gas.
Help your neighbors: If time allows and it is safe to do so, check on elderly or disabled neighbors to help them evacuate.
Don’t return until it’s safe: Wait for official clearance from fire authorities before returning to your home.
Your emergency go kit should have everything your family needs to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
Consider the unique needs of your family (children, seniors and pets).
Recommended emergency go kit items include:
Nonperishable food
Water
Prescription medications and eyeglasses
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Personal hygiene items
Flashlight(s) with extra batteries
Cash
Manual can opener
Important paperwork (e.g., passports and insurance policies)
First aid kit
Cell phone and charger
Family Communication and Evacuation Plan
Check your emergency go kit(s) every six months. Refresh your water supply, and remove, use and replace items close to their expiration date.
Rehearse family evacuation and communication plans to make sure you can evacuate quickly and safely, under any circumstances.