Many of us were rocked right here in Carlsbad when the Poinsettia fire struck. With Santa Ana winds fanning the flames, not even the width of El Camino Real posed a staunch enough barrier to stop the flames from spreading west. Like many of you, I watched in amazement having just passed through the area an hour earlier following the Chamber's Executive Committee meeting. By the end of day, the horror had spread and there were at least nine wildfires burning across our county.
What does an event like that mean for our Chamber members?
Daily business activities were halted for many. Employees were sent home to get away from the present danger but also to get home and prepare for evacuations if needed. Were you prepared? Will you be better prepared next time? News flash, there will be a next time. Wildfires are a way of life in this county and in nearly all of the western United States. If the Florida Everglades can catch fire, any place is susceptible.
One resource for being prepared for an emergency is the Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance, whose mission is to help businesses and the community prepare for disaster.
The Alliance, an effort between the Chamber, the City of Carlsbad and the business community, recently became a regular committee of the chamber. It meets the second Friday of each month at the Chamber, 5934 Priestly Drive and also holds regular workshops (one on earthquakes is planned for June 13 – visit www.carlsbad.org or turn to page 16 for details).
The Alliance also launched an effort to assist in the recovery of the Poinsettia fire on its website, www.readycarlsbad.org. Here you will find information about where to go if you need immediate assistance. It also provides an opportunity to donate money or services to this and future recovery efforts. There is no need for food, clothing and other household goods, but the site does offer suggestions as to where you can take any donations of food or item you might have collected.
I can't say enough about the awesome work of firefighters and law enforcement in fighting the fires and keeping our neighborhoods safe while people were evacuated. Whenever I have bumped into a fireman the past few weeks, I have stopped to thank them and watch their faces light up from the recognition. I know that they were out working long hard hours in difficult conditions. A small but simple gesture on our part can really make someone's day.
At home and in your business, please take some time to plan ahead. What should I take with me if I have to evacuate? The list below, reprinted with permission from its author, is a good start if you want to start planning for an evacuation.
For the complete list, visit www.phantomranch.net/comunity/evaclist.htm.
Pets
___ Pet ID tags
___ Pet leashes
___ Pet medications
___ Pet water bowls
___ Pets (if advance warning,
take to an approved shelter)
___ Pet food
___ Pet treats
Family Documents
___ Birth certificates
___ Car insurance card
___ Computer backup disc drive
___ Computers (including iPad, iPod, etc.) and chargers
___ Drivers' licenses
___ Health insurance card
___ House deed
___ Insurance papers
___ Legal documents
___ Marriage license
___ Tax papers
Money
___ Blank checks
___ Cash
___ Check books
___ Credit cards
___ Purse
___ Savings books
___ Wallet
Medications
___ Analgesics
___ First-aid kit
___ Motion sickness tablets
___ Prescription dentures
___ Prescription glasses
___ Prescription hearing aids
___ Prescriptions
Jewelry
___ Decorations, pins, awards
___ Family heirlooms
___ Gold, silver, and other valuable jewelry
Sentimental
___ Family Bible
___ Irreplaceable keepsakes
___ Original paintings
___ Photos and albums, slides, movies, home videos
Food and water
(for three to seven days –
if time permits)
___ Manual can opener
___ Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
___ Water (at least one gallon per person and pet per day)
Food Storage
Water Storage
Toiletries
(if time permits)
___ Sanitary devices
___ Shaving articles
___ Soap and towels
___ Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Emergency Sanitation
Clothing
(appropriate for the season –
if time permits)
___ Change of clothing for each person (for one to seven days)
___ Change of underwear
___ Coats and jackets
___ Gloves and scarves
___ Hats and caps
___ Infant supplies and toys
___ Shoes and boots
___ Sleepwear
Additional items to take
(if time permits)
___ Cameras, chargers and/or extra batteries
___ Cell phones and chargers
___ Covered container to use as an emergency toilet
___ Flashlights and extra batteries
___ Portable radio and extra batteries
___ Reading material
___ Recreational items
___ First Aid Kit
What does an event like that mean for our Chamber members?
Daily business activities were halted for many. Employees were sent home to get away from the present danger but also to get home and prepare for evacuations if needed. Were you prepared? Will you be better prepared next time? News flash, there will be a next time. Wildfires are a way of life in this county and in nearly all of the western United States. If the Florida Everglades can catch fire, any place is susceptible.
One resource for being prepared for an emergency is the Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance, whose mission is to help businesses and the community prepare for disaster.
The Alliance, an effort between the Chamber, the City of Carlsbad and the business community, recently became a regular committee of the chamber. It meets the second Friday of each month at the Chamber, 5934 Priestly Drive and also holds regular workshops (one on earthquakes is planned for June 13 – visit www.carlsbad.org or turn to page 16 for details).
The Alliance also launched an effort to assist in the recovery of the Poinsettia fire on its website, www.readycarlsbad.org. Here you will find information about where to go if you need immediate assistance. It also provides an opportunity to donate money or services to this and future recovery efforts. There is no need for food, clothing and other household goods, but the site does offer suggestions as to where you can take any donations of food or item you might have collected.
I can't say enough about the awesome work of firefighters and law enforcement in fighting the fires and keeping our neighborhoods safe while people were evacuated. Whenever I have bumped into a fireman the past few weeks, I have stopped to thank them and watch their faces light up from the recognition. I know that they were out working long hard hours in difficult conditions. A small but simple gesture on our part can really make someone's day.
At home and in your business, please take some time to plan ahead. What should I take with me if I have to evacuate? The list below, reprinted with permission from its author, is a good start if you want to start planning for an evacuation.
For the complete list, visit www.phantomranch.net/comunity/evaclist.htm.
Pets
___ Pet ID tags
___ Pet leashes
___ Pet medications
___ Pet water bowls
___ Pets (if advance warning,
take to an approved shelter)
___ Pet food
___ Pet treats
Family Documents
___ Birth certificates
___ Car insurance card
___ Computer backup disc drive
___ Computers (including iPad, iPod, etc.) and chargers
___ Drivers' licenses
___ Health insurance card
___ House deed
___ Insurance papers
___ Legal documents
___ Marriage license
___ Tax papers
Money
___ Blank checks
___ Cash
___ Check books
___ Credit cards
___ Purse
___ Savings books
___ Wallet
Medications
___ Analgesics
___ First-aid kit
___ Motion sickness tablets
___ Prescription dentures
___ Prescription glasses
___ Prescription hearing aids
___ Prescriptions
Jewelry
___ Decorations, pins, awards
___ Family heirlooms
___ Gold, silver, and other valuable jewelry
Sentimental
___ Family Bible
___ Irreplaceable keepsakes
___ Original paintings
___ Photos and albums, slides, movies, home videos
Food and water
(for three to seven days –
if time permits)
___ Manual can opener
___ Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
___ Water (at least one gallon per person and pet per day)
Food Storage
Water Storage
Toiletries
(if time permits)
___ Sanitary devices
___ Shaving articles
___ Soap and towels
___ Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Emergency Sanitation
Clothing
(appropriate for the season –
if time permits)
___ Change of clothing for each person (for one to seven days)
___ Change of underwear
___ Coats and jackets
___ Gloves and scarves
___ Hats and caps
___ Infant supplies and toys
___ Shoes and boots
___ Sleepwear
Additional items to take
(if time permits)
___ Cameras, chargers and/or extra batteries
___ Cell phones and chargers
___ Covered container to use as an emergency toilet
___ Flashlights and extra batteries
___ Portable radio and extra batteries
___ Reading material
___ Recreational items
___ First Aid Kit