May 3-9 is Wildfire Awareness Week. San Bernardino County is one of the most beautiful places to live, but for those living in what are called “urban interface areas”, it does not come without risks. Fire is, and always has been, a natural part of this landscape. Wildfires are now a year-round reality in San Bernardino County. This means that both firefighters and residents must be on heightened alert for the threat of wildfire.
To create safer communities, County Fire initiated a program called READY! SET! GO!; targeting communities in high risk wildfire prone areas. READY! SET! GO! is about helping residents understand how their home’s location, surrounding vegetation, construction elements, and other factors place their property and them at risk during a wildfire. More importantly, it teaches them what they can do to reduce that risk – get READY! It also instructs them on the importance of having an evacuation and survival plan – get SET! Finally, it emphasizes the need to GO! and go early, before the fire arrives to ensure the safety of themselves and their family. The goal of this program is to educate and engage residents in reducing the risk in their communities, which will help save lives and property.
“Firefighters train hard and make countless preparations to be ready for a wildfire. Residents need to do the same,” stated Fire Chief Dan Munsey. “Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires residents to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves, their family, and their property.”
It’s not a question of if, but when, the next wildfire will occur. Advance planning and preparation can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your property. San Bernardino County Fire offers residents a free home wildfire consultation to help residents make their home and property more fire safe. Contact your local fire station to schedule a consultation.
San Bernardino County Fire is committed to providing Premier Fire Service - protecting the communities we serve with safety first. The READY! SET! GO! Program is another tool in providing such service.
County Fire relies on Fire Safe Councils. They are a great resource in not only getting information out to the community, but in developing and implementing fire safety programs. Visit the Inland Empire Fire Safe Alliance web site at www.fireinformation.com and learn how you can get involved. For more information on wildfire safety and preparation, including the READY! SET! GO! Program, visit our web site at www.sbcfire.org.
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