Get Firewise and emergency trained

May 28, 2006

VALLEY VOICES/Larry Woods

It is not yet June; the upper slopes of the mountains still are covered with snow. Already, fire season is here. We already have had one wildfire in the Mat-Su Valley that has resulted in the loss of a house. On Ft. Richardson, a fire consumed about 53 acres. This is a portent of the summer to come.

The Borough Fire Marshall has banned all open burning as of May 24.

The forecast for this summer is hot and dry.

There are two programs under Citizen Corps offered through the Mat-Su Borough Department of Public Safety that would be help mitigate the impact of a wildfire or other disaster upon our communities and neighborhoods.

Firewise is a program that helps homeowners mitigate their potential for loss by wildfire. I strongly urge those living adjacent to wooded areas with populations of dead spruce to act before it is too late, and prepare a defensible space around their homes against the possibility of wildfire. The Mat-Su Borough Citizen Corps coordinator can arrange a visit by the Firewise Coordinator to help you with suggestions as to how you might better protect your property from wild fire.

I also would strongly urge people to consider taking Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT teaches preparation for interruptions of services and disaster response. This training prepares people to act in a disaster to help themselves and their neighbors. The only investment: a few hours. All materials are provided.

CERT covers subjects ranging from the home disaster kit preparation, Incident Command System, basic small fire suppression, first aid, triage, search and rescue, moving the injured and hazard awareness. This is an excellent program for ages 14 and up. Colony High School Jr. ROTC has a strong CERT program.

CERT is a good program for churches (pastors, prepare your flocks), civic groups, businesses and neighbors within a community.

The training is worthwhile and provides a means of acting to assist each other in time of emergency until the professional first responders can get to the area. In my opinion, CERT should be implemented in every school and public facility.

Businesses would be well served to have employees CERT trained. There is no cost.

The reality of Alaska dictates self-reliance. Even in Anchorage and Fairbanks, people need to learn to take care of themselves in an emergency. There never will be enough firefighters or police.

Do not count on our public-safety agencies having the manpower and equipment to reach all of those in need. This reality means that Alaskans have a duty to prepare themselves and their families to be more self-reliant and able to help others besides themselves. The farther away from the center of population one is, the greater the emphasis should be on self-reliance.

We should never suffer the embarrassment of what happened in New Orleans.

If you are unprepared, get prepared.

Firewise will help you reduce your wildfire danger. CERT training can prevent you from being a victim, and make you an asset in a disaster to be used to help your neighbors and your community.

The investment in CERT is only 24 hours of training time. The program awards a certificate for completion.

Firewise can be consulted by just a phone call.

The Mat-Su Borough Citizen Corps coordinator is Nancy Taylor. She can be reached at 354-2116 or 373-8823. Nancy is the contact for both Firewise and CERT training.

Please do not become a victim. Be proactive. Call Nancy to find out about CERT and Firewise.

Palmer resident Larry Wood's Valley Voices guest opinion column appears every four weeks.