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Evacuation—for three different scenarios
3-minute plan:
- 6 P’s: PEOPLE and PETS, PLASTIC (credit cards, etc.), PRESCRIPTIONS, PERSONAL NEEDS, PRICELESS ITEMS, and important PAPERS
- Grab go-bag, computer, etc.
- Take ONE car to reduce traffic jams.
- Cash, wallet, purse, cell phone(s)
- Post “evacuated/occupied” door hanger(s).
20-minute plan. 3-minute plan PLUS:
- Sound fog horn to agreed-upon neighborhood alert signal.
- Set garage door to “manual operation.”
- Phone tree—call neighbors in your Pod.
- Pack car with vitals, including water and non-perishable food (for pets too).
- Place ladder to roof near driveway for first responders.
- Help evacuate disabled neighbors and children.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants. (Heavy cotton or wool is preferable.)
- Sturdy pair of boots (ideally) or shoes
- Wear leather gloves, helmet (with brim), and eye protection (ideally full coverage goggles).
- Cover your face with a N95 respirator (or better), a dry bandanna, or (cotton or wool) scarf.
- Carry a headlamp and flashlight (even during the day), cell phone, and spare batteries.
- Carry car keys, wallet, and driver’s license (or other ID).
- Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
2-hour+ plan. 20-minute plan PLUS:
- Call/text out-of-area person and leave contact information.
- Place filled water buckets around house perimeter.
- Put up temporary non-flammable wraps if you have them.
- Use fire-resistant spray foam on your windows and combustible siding.
- Review items you are taking with you.
- Remove flammable indoor curtains and shades indoors.
- Pull down exterior non-flammable window covers.
- If your eves or roof has a fire sprinkler system, turn it on just before evacuating.
What to do when leaving home if you have time:
- Shut windows and doors (interior too), but leave unlocked.
- Turn off propane tanks and gas pilot lights.
- Leave gate open.
- Leave both indoor and outdoor lights on for firefighters and emergency vehicles.
- Shut off air conditioning and house fans.
- Remove combustible window shades and lightweight curtains.
- Close fire-resistant drapes if you have them
- Move over-stuffed furniture (like couches and easy chairs) to the center of the rooms, away from windows.
- Fill water buckets and place them around the outside of the house, especially near decks and combustible fences.
- Place non-combustible ladder(s) (aluminum or fiberglass) at the corners of structures for firefighters. Do the same for any water storage tank(s) so the manway (lid) can be accessed.
Have yourself ready all fire season:
- Prepare car for ready evacuation, facing roadway.
- Sign up for SoCo and Nixle alert systems (https://local.nixle.com/register/ and https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF7053564662)
- Gather fire-safe clothing, helmets, lights, crowbars, etc. to have at the ready.
- Have a go-bag ready to grab
- Designated emergency meeting location outside the fire area.
- Know several different escape routes from you home and community. Join your Neighborhood Group to find alternative evacuation routes for your area.
- Have a communications plan that designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact to act as a single communication source/hub among family members in case of separation (It is easier to call or message one person and let them contact others. The phone, cell, and Internet systems may become overloaded, limited, or damaged during a disaster.)
- Show responsible family members and neighbors how to shut off propane
- Keeping a sturdy pair of boots (ideally) or shoes and a flashlight near your bed at all times
- Connect garden hoses to hose bibs for firefighters to use. Attach squeeze grip nozzles to hoses.
- Keep clean your gutters and blow leaves away from the house.
- Consider Pre-assigning duties among family members for evacuation to move faster
- Assuring that all family members know how to “stop, drop, and roll” if clothes catch fire
- Practice what you decide upon