The Firebreak
The Newsletter of the Olivenhain Fire Safe Council
June 2023
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From the President
Welcome to our June newsletter! We’re pleased to report that the OFSC board had a productive meeting with Chief Josh Gordon earlier this month, where he brought us up to date on several initiatives the fire department has been working on and plans for the future.
- One of the most exciting discussions was an overview of technologies the department is exploring, especially the platform Zonehaven, which has been adopted countywide to manage wildfire evacuations. While implementation of Zonehaven has not been completed, it was clear from the demo the chief gave that it will be an invaluable tool both for the public and for public safety officials, consolidating information in one place in the event of an emergency. We’ll keep you up to date as we learn more.
- Vegetation management has begun along the major evacuation routes in Olivenhain. The first phase has been under way since last September, clearing vegetation five feet from the roadways. The second phase—clearing up to ten feet from roadways—is expected to start soon.
- The fire department is planning a training drill over three days in Olivenhain this coming week (see article below), to help firefighters keep their skills honed and familiarize them with the community.
- Future plans also call for all Encinitas firefighters and lifeguards to receive training in large animal rescue.
- And finally, in response to community input last summer, the department has been working on edits to the Fitch evacuation plan.
OFSC will again be at the Cardiff farmers market on July 1, and while our board members have been staffing the booth up to now, we really could use some help moving forward, particularly with setup and takedown. It’s a great opportunity to meet other members of the community, engage with them about fire preparedness (you don’t have to be an expert—we have lots of materials for that) and go shopping for some really wonderful foods and crafts. (And many vendors will offer a discount if you have a booth at the market.) Please contact me if you’d be interested in helping out. We’re there the first Saturday of every month, from 10-2, and it’s a lot of fun. We’d love to have more community members join us in the coming months.
We’re also planning a webinar with the Nature Collective in late July or early August, covering its mitigation projects in Olivenhain. I attended a presentation they did for my HOA several months ago, and it was outstanding. We haven’t firmed up the date yet, but we’ll send around a notice once that’s set. It’s a chance to hear about their plans, share any concerns and ask any questions you might have.
Our Neighborhood Ambassador program recently proved its worth when we were able to call on an ambassador to assist fire department personnel as they were planning the training drill. We could still use more Neighborhood Ambassadors to serve as liaisons between OFSC and their neighbors, however. Please contact Lou Obertreis, our Neighborhood Ambassador coordinator, if you’re interested or can refer him to someone who might make a good ambassador. FYI, Poway has had a similar program in place since 2011, and it’s a robust resource that helps make their neighborhoods safer and also build community.
And a reminder that summer has arrived, and we’re entering fire season. (And another reminder that all fireworks are illegal in Encinitas, so please attend a public display for July 4 if celebrating with fireworks is important to you.)
Now is a also great time to assemble go bags for everyone in your household, including your pets. And if you already have go bags, it’s a good time to go through them and change out clothing, etc. for the season. “Fire season” has become something of a misnomer in light of climate change, as many experts say wildfire is now a year-round concern. Even this year, with all the rain we’ve had, there have already been a few small fires, though they were quickly extinguished. But living in the WUI, we can’t afford not to be prepared.
Our next OFSC board meeting is Monday, July 10, so please email me for the Zoom link if you'd like to attend.
—Sarah Lifton
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Fire department to hold wildland training drill in Olivenhain
If you’re driving past the Meeting Hall in the morning or afternoon this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, don’t be alarmed if you see fire trucks parked there en masse. On June 26-28, the Encinitas Fire Department, along with the Del Mar, Solana Beach and Vista departments (and possibly other agencies such as SDGE), will be staging a wildland training drill in Olivenhain in advance of fire season, and the Meeting Hall will be the site for the morning briefing and afternoon debriefing.
The training, which is required and takes place somewhere in the area every year, has several purposes. First, it helps firefighters “knock the dust off” from winter and polish their skills.
“Not everyone goes to the county wildland training drill,” said Damian Guilliani, a captain with the Encinitas Fire Department, who organized the drill along with Chief Gordon. “So most departments make an effort to try to get everyone some refresher training.”
In addition, the training helps orient the firefighters to the locations where the drill is held. Even if they are familiar with them, there may be new roads or changes in the vegetation or other features. “For example, when we were scouting locations for the training in Olivenhain, I was quite surprised at what the fuels looked like—I hadn’t been out there in a while,” Guilliani said. “So it’s a matter of creating situational awareness.”
For this year’s drill, the fire department is targeting two Olivenhain communities: Knightsbridge and One Oak. Part of Knightsbridge will be the site for structure defense triage training. The firefighters will survey the area, seeing what it will take to defend homes if a wildfire blows through, as well as what they will need to accomplish that objective. The rationale is that if they can establish this ahead of time, they will remember when they return during a fire and will know what resources they need to fight it. Participants will also look at structures and defensible space and will be more confident that they can be safe and still defend property when they go in.
The second component of the drill is what Guilliani describes as “bread and butter training”: a wildland hose lay of a few thousand feet, near the One Oak water tower off Rancho Summit. (Laying hose is a skill firefighters need to practice regularly.)
A third training component is an incident within an incident—specifically, a civilian in the path of the fire. Firefighters will get a report of a hiker or mountain biker down in the area and will have to deal with that at the same time they’re fighting the simulated fire.
And finally, the training will require battalion chiefs and strike team leaders to organize the complicated scenarios with limited resources, just as they would in a real incident.
In addition to ensuring that firefighters have the skills they need, the training will demonstrate to the community that the fire department is staying current and trying to figure out the best ways to save homes and properties. “If there is another Harmony Grove fire and an eastern wind, it will come through this area,” Guilliani explained “And realistically, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Vista engines are the ones that will be in the area when that happens.”
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OFSC receives SAFE grant from San Diego Regional Fire Foundation
Last month, the Olivenhain Fire Safe Council was thrilled to receive a generous SAFE grant from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, made possible through support to the foundation from SDGE and other donors. The grant will advance OFSC’s outreach, engagement and education activities in Olivenhain, including, most prominently, a new, updated website.
The grant check was presented at the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s annual awards lunch, by Joan Jones, executive director of the SDRFF, who singled out our Neighborhood Ambassador program for mention to the audience. We are most grateful to the SDRFF for its continued support and confidence in our mission.
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Saturday, July 1. OFSC will be at the Cardiff farmers market at MiraCosta College, from 10 am to 2 pm. Come do your shopping and visit us there. We'd love to chat with you, and you can pick up some swag and informational materials!
UPCOMING EVENT. The Nature Collective will present a webinar on their mitigation projects in Olivenhain in late July or early August. Watch your email for the date and time.
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Emergencies are traumatic events for pets as well as for humans. July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, reminding pet guardians to plan ahead to keep their furry and feathered family members safe in case of fire. Here are some suggestions from the experts.
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Have an emergency plan, and practice escape routes with your pet. Include all members of the family in this plan, and make sure they know what to do and where to go.
- If you live in a fire-prone area (as we do) or are concerned about a fire starting, consider monitored smoke detectors. If a fire starts, firefighters will be notified and can respond, even if you’re not home.
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Note where your pets like to nap or hide. This is important if you must evacuate quickly. Remember that pets, especially cats, can be exponentially more difficult to round up if they sense stress. Practice crating your pets in advance to make it a positive experience so they don’t hide when you pull out their carriers during an emergency.
- Block spaces under furniture so cats in particular can’t hide underneath and prevent you from finding them. You can do this inexpensively with chicken wire and zip ties.
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Keep the phone number and address of a local animal hospital handy. That way, if your pet is injured, you’ll know where to take him or her for treatment quickly.
- Ensure there are no areas where pets can start fires accidentally (including stove knobs, loose wires, candles, fireplaces and other potential hazards). Never leave a pet unattended with a lit candle or fireplace.
- If you evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. If you leave them behind, they may become trapped or escape and be exposed to life-threatening hazards. Since not all shelters accept pets, it is imperative that you determine ahead of time where you will bring your pets. Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities; ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets; identify hotels or motels that accept pets; and/or ask friends and relatives in your area if they would be willing to take in your pet.
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Get a rescue alert sticker noting that pets are inside your home, and make sure it is visible to rescue workers, placing it on or near your front door or front window. List the types and number of pets in your home, and include your contact information. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write “EVACUATED” across the sticker.
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Prepare emergency supplies and a go bag for your pets, and plan for the worst-case scenario, assuming that you may not be allowed to return for several weeks. Include a month's worth of any medications. Store leashes and the go bag as close to an exit as possible. Make sure that everyone in the household knows where the go bag is and that it is clearly labeled and easy to carry. (You can see a full list of items to include here.) For cats’ go bags, make sure you include “scent soakers” with familiar smells from favorite blankets and articles of your clothing that you’ve worn for a few days. Since cats define their world through scent, this will help them feel less anxious in a stressful situation like an evacuation. Have cats’ preferred litter, and bring their favorite toys.
- To minimize evacuation time, always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a disaster, like a Red Flag alert or an evacuation warning. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home in a crisis.
- Make sure your pets can be identified if you get separated. Have them microchipped and keep the chip information up to date. Keep copies of your pet’s veterinary and vaccination records, and have them ready to go with you. Have photos of your pets, ideally in color and from the front so you can use them for flyers if you and your pet are separated and your pet is lost.
· the ASPCA Put
Sources: ASPCA, American Red Cross, Jackson Galaxy
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There are many ways you can help make our community safer from wildfire by becoming an Olivenhain Fire Safe Council volunteer. Bring your ideas, talents, skills and connections!
Opportunities include:
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS: Brainstorm with us to create, plan, set up and staff events. We especially need volunteers to help with our monthly booth at the Cardiff farmers market at MiraCosta College.
FUNDRAISING: Help with outreach to businesses and neighbors. Identify grant opportunities, promote employer matches, develop and assist with fundraising events.
NEIGHBORHOOD AMBASSADORS: Be the point person in your neighborhood to identify unique needs and vulnerable residents and keep your neighbors informed in the event of a wildfire or other emergency. If you live in a community with an HOA, leverage the HOA structure to make your community safer through structure hardening and defensible space projects.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS: Do you have special skills and knowledge of relevant industries? We could use your help when there is a need for information, services or referrals (e.g. , insurance agents, lawyers, accountants/bookkeepers, Realtors, contractors, tradespeople, handymen, videographers, writers, PR professionals, artists, graphic designers, etc.).
OTHER IDEAS? Let us know!
Click here to find out more or sign up as a volunteer.
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The Olivenhain Fire Safe Council relies on donations to carry out its mission of enhancing fire prevention, safety and preparedness for all residents, through ongoing outreach, education and collaborative interventions, projects and activities. Help us build capacity by making a generous tax-deductible contribution. (Check to see if your employer will match your donation.) Make checks payable to Olivenhain Fire Safe Council and mail to Olivenhain Fire Safe Council, 2240 Encinitas Blvd., Ste. D, #165, Encinitas, CA 92024. (Zelle and Paypal are also available. Email us for specifics.) | |
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Join our email list (scroll down on page for signup form).
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