Living in a beautiful place with acres of green space is a blessing but can also be a concern when wildfires occur. We asked Devin Bertram, a local firefighter, to help us be ready for possible wildfires. He shared the following steps to get our homes and properties prepared.
Devin lives with his wife and four kids in Parker. He has been fighting fires for twenty-two years. He started in southern California and has been a career fire fighter in the Franktown Fire Protection District for almost eleven years. He was recently promoted to Captain, overseeing the EMS system. He has training and experience in wildfire mitigation
and urban interface wildfires. He has also worked as an EMT and paramedic.
1- Code Red System:
Sign up for the code red emergency notification system. This is a reverse 911 system that will text out notifications in case of an emergency or evacuation. Notifications can be sent geographically with this system to aid preventative measures. Sign up at: public.coderedweb.com/CNE
2- 72-Hour Bag:
Pack a 72-hour bag with the basic supplies you would need if you were required to leave your home at a moment’s notice. Having supplies for at least three days can aid survival mode until long term circumstances can be arranged. Be sure to include your information framework in the bag, like policy numbers, bank account info, insurance info, etc.
2 -Pack a 72-hour bag with the basic supplies you would need if you were required to leave your home at a moment’s notice. Having supplies for at least three days can aid survival mode until long term circumstances can be arranged. Be sure to include your information framework in the bag, like policy numbers, bank account info, insurance info, etc.
3- Yard Mitigation:
It is very important, especially in forested areas, to maintain your property with fire safety in mind. Start with your house and work outward. Anything leaning, stacked or piled against your house needs to be removed. Clean up ground debris, prune trees, clear out downed limbs and trees. See www.douglas.co.us/ building-division/wildfire-mitigation/ for more detailed instructions.
4- Alternate Routes:
Be familiar with and plan for multiple escape plan options from your home. Leaving the area can become challenging in the case of road and trail closures.
5- Open Burning:
Educate yourself on the local restrictions that are in place for open burning in your area. The restrictions will list permissions for fireworks, shows, firepits, propane grills, open burning, etc. There are multiple stages of restrictions depending on the current conditions. No one wants to be the cause of a fire, so be sure to follow the guidelines.
Preparing ahead of time for these scenarios and working to limit fuel near our homes and be knowledgeable on precautions can make a big difference in a real fire emergency.
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