As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly.

HOLIDAY FIRE FACTS

• One-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• Each year, fire departments respond to roughly 260 structure fires caused by Christmas trees.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every five of the fires.

PICKING THE TREE

Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

PLACING THE TREE

Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1-2 from the base of the trunk.

Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Please go to our website to view a video on the difference having a well watered tree makes!

LIGHTING THE TREE

Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.

Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.

Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

ALWAYS turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

AFTER CHRISTMAS

Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry.

Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage,or placed outside against the home.

Marborg will pick up discarded trees for Montecito residents for recycling through January; they should be left curbside on regular pick up days.

Montecito Fire wishes you a safe Holiday!

We ve all seen the Chimney Sweep sing on the roof tops in Mary Poppins, but when was the last time you had your chimney cleaned? Chimney fires are more common than you may think. These fires typically occur when creosote, a sticky black byproduct of wood smoke, builds up on the inside of a chimney and ignites. These fires can quickly destroy a chimney or even worse, your roof and/or your home.

However, you can still enjoy the warmth of a fire, and easily avoid chimney fires by having your chimney inspected annually. A professional can examine your flue and advise when it is necessary to clean your chimney to ensure that creosote doesn t build up. In addition to keeping your fireplace clean, an inspector can also detect any structural issues as well. You can find a licensed Chimney Sweep in the yellow pages.

If you use your wood burning fireplace regularly, you should periodically examine your flue for build up throughout the season (if you burn daily, this could be as often as twice a month). The easiest way to check is to look into the flue using a flashlight and compact mirror from the bottom of your chimney. If you see as little as 1/8 inch of creosote built up, it s time to have it cleaned!

Gas fireplaces aren t susceptible to creosote buildup, however it s still important to have a professional check your system thoroughly at the start of every heating season and whenever you suspect trouble

If you think you may have a chimney fire, immediately evacuate everyone out of the building and call 911 from your cell phone or a neighbor s house.

If you use portable space heaters in your home, be extremely careful:

• Space heaters require SPACE! Remove all combustible materials within three feet of the heater.
• Only use a space heater that is equipped with the safety feature that turns it off immediately if it tips over
• Never leave a portable heater unattended.
• Make sure the cord and plug aren t damaged in any way.
• Make sure the cord does not pose a tripping hazard.
• NEVER use an extension cord with a space heater: Generally, the current required for most space heaters is greater than most extension cords can safely handle.

You should also consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. All combustion appliances, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, propane-fired hot-water heaters, and heating and cooking stoves, produce carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas that can be potentially lethal if these appliances are not properly vented or has leaks.

We hope you keep these tips in mind so that you can have a safe and warm winter!

Statistics show that 50% of all holiday fires start in kitchen.

In addition, Thanksgiving is also one of the biggest traveled holidays on the roadways and many accidents occur while people drive impaired or tired.

In an effort to ensure you are safe, here are some suggestions to think about as you prepare for the long weekend ahead.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips:

• Start your holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven. Make sure any old grease or food spills are cleaned up to lessen the chance of a flare-up.
• If the contents in a pot or pan catch fire, do not touch or try to move the pot or pan as you may spread the fire or burn yourself. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
• Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from stove burners.
• Never use water on a grease fire. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
• Click here to watch a video demonstration of putting out a stovetop fire.
• NEVER leave cooking food unattended.
• Turkey fryers are for outdoor use away from combustible structures.
• Click here to watch a video with a Turkey Fryer Demonstration from the Underwriters Laboratories.
• In the event of a fire or medical emergency, ALWAYS CALL 9-1-1.

DRIVING:

• Plan your trip and drive according to conditions- remember to have a passenger use the cell phone or utilize hands free utility! This largest traveled holiday accounts for the most fatalities.
• Wear your seat belt!!! Seat belts are proven to save lives and prevent injuries.
• Make sure children are secured in an approved child safety seat.
• Montecito Fire offers child safety seat installation. Call 969-7762 for an appointment.
• Get enough rest and don t try to drive when you would normally be asleep.
• If you need to make a phone call, pull off the road and keep your call short.
• Don t answer your cell phone while driving. In California IT S THE LAW! Let your cell phone take a message and pull off the road to answer your calls.
• Don t text and drive!!! Taking your eyes off the road for just a second or two can have tragic consequences.
• Don t consume alcohol and drive!!

Montecito Fire wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

MERRAG is the Montecito Community volunteer group organized to assist the Fire District and other local agencies during emergencies. MERRAG members attend monthly training sessions to learn disaster preparedness for themselves and their families as well as learn how to work with the Fire District during emergencies.

It is expected that telephones and cell phones will be out of service during a large scale disaster like an earthquake, so MERRAG has distributed UHF radios to schools, churches, hotels and organized home owner groups within the community. Radio carriers can provide important information about their location via the radio acting as the eyes and ears of the community in the event of a large scale disaster.

During the Great California Shakeout, MERRAG members participated in Drop, Cover and Hold during the 1 minute simulation, then went into action activating the District Operation Center and responding to mock earthquake situations provided to each radio carrier prior to the drill. This provided radio carriers practice in using their radios and tested the MERRAG Team Member s responses and documentation of each reported emergency .

MERRAG Response Team Members met after the drill and had an after action review to discuss the activation. Lessons learned will be implemented into the MERRAG Activation Plan.

Over 25 agencies and homeowner groups participated in the extended functional drill, including Montecito Union School. The Santa Barbara News Network (www.theSBNN.com) was on scene at Montecito Union School during the drill and submitted this video documenting their participation.

We have all learned that while some disaster have weather indicators that allow us to prepare for them ahead of time (such as flooding, heat advisories and wind events); earthquakes have no indicators that allow us to prepare for immanent occurrence. This is why drills like the Great American Shakeout are so valuable.

We hope you have taken a moment to look at your surroundings to secure items that could pose dangers, and discuss your emergency plan with your family.

For information on what you can do to be better prepared for an earthquake, you can go to our website: www.montecitofire.com

You can also test your skills at Earthquake preparedness by clicking here.

At 10:21 a.m. on October 21st, MERRAG will participate with millions of Californians in the Great California ShakeOut.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On is a statewide earthquake drill that has been organized to inspire individuals to get ready for big earthquakes and prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.

MERRAG will use this drill as an opportunity to exercise the activation of our Emergency Response Team, setting up our DOC - Department Operations Center, and practicing the reporting of incidents on the MERRAG radio frequency.

All MERRAG Emergency Response Team Members and MERRAG Radio Carriers are strongly urged to participate in both the ShakeOut and the DOC Activation drill that immediately follows the ShakeOut.

The entire process will only take about an hour, but it will give all MERRAG Emergency Response Team Members and MERRAG Radio Carriers practice for the real thing. Remember - It s not IF, it s WHEN!

To participate in the October 21st Drill & Exercise:

1. Register at the Great California Shake Out website. http://www.shakeout.org/register/
Don t forget to check Other and list MERRAG when it asks how you heard about it.

2. On October 21, 2010 (Next Thursday!) Response Team Members are to report to Montecito Fire at approximately 10:15 AM. (Team members will participate in the Drop, Cover, Hold on portion in the Montecito Fire Conference room.)

3. At 10:21 AM ALL participants should be tuned in to AM 1680, and follow the instructions to Drop, Cover and Hold On: DROP to the ground, take COVER under a table or desk, and HOLD ON to it as if a major earthquake were happening. AM 1680 will broadcast an earthquake simulation with instructions throughout. This will last approximately 1 minute.

4. Following the simulation on the radio

a. MERRAG Response Team members will organize and set up the DOC as if it were a real disaster.

i. Set up room/functional areas
ii. Assign Volunteers to appropriate positions
iii. Respond to requests/reports on the MERRAG frequency
iv. Document incoming reports

b. MERRAG Radio Carriers will be given scenario(s) prior to the event to report over the MERRAG Radio Networks.

5. After the drill, we will clean up the DOC, and put everything away - then have an after action review of the drill in the Montecito Fire District Conference Room.

How you participate is up to you and your organization, but if you are a MERRAG member with a radio, we strongly suggest you at least respond on the radio along with us to help make the simulation for MERRAG members more realistic!

There are many things you can do to  better prepare yourself, your family and your organization for earthquakes! Check out www.shakeout.org for more information!

If you have questions or concerns about the drill, please contact Geri Ventura at gventura@montecitofire.com

From October 4th through October 15th, fire engine companies will visit seven schools, educating over 800 children how to be prepared in the case of an emergency. Topics will cover how to react in the case of a fire, including: Stop Drop and Roll and Crawl Low in Smoke for preschool through second grade; and the Fire Safety Trailer will be used with 3rd and 4th graders. The Fire Safety Trailer simulates real fire situations within the home. The children learn how to spot fire hazards in the home, the five most important things to say when dialing 9-1-1, and how to exit the home quickly and safely.

The children enjoy these visits while taking home invaluable information. Parents are encouraged to discuss and practice their Emergency Plan as a family.

Here are a few links that provide online games and other resources you and your children can use together to learn more about fire safety!

http://www.sparky.org/

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm

http://www.fema.gov/kids/

Click here for School Schedules

Some of the concerns regarding emergency notification that surfaced after the Tea Fire included:

• Reverse 911 failures - Many calls were not received due to power outages and phone lines being burned
• Night time/late evening notification - Many don t hear or answer their phones and might miss the Reverse 911 notification
• Sirens and bull horns are difficult to hear indoors and in windy conditions
• Not enough personnel to go door to door

After learning that existing emergency notification methods don t necessarily work for everyone, or in all circumstances, the Fire District began conducting tests of various alerting systems and devices, including sirens, external voice systems and internal notification systems to augment what is already in place. Once confident that we found a system that would fill the gaps, the Fire District decided on the viaRadio ENVOY Local Emergency Warning System, a platform utilizing standard FM radio frequencies to transmit the alert signals and messages.

We are very excited to include the viaRadio ENVOY Local Emergency Warning System into our notification methods, says Chief Kevin Wallace of the Montecito Fire District. We have spoken with other agencies who utilize this system in the Midwest and in Florida, all of whom indicated that this system has been very beneficial in pre-alerting their citizens of tornados and hurricanes. We are also pleased to be able to be the first agency on the West Coast to utilize this system for evacuation notices and other emergencies.

The new system utilizes the Ambient Control Systems HomeALERT Emergency Warning Receiver, that functions regularly as a FM clock radio and NOAA weather radio, but can be activated by the Fire District via FM frequencies to enable a high decibel alert and text messaging across the display with emergency instructions. Additionally, the advanced model offers ADA Compliant accessories which have the capability to support external devices such as strobe lights, text to speech and bed shaker vibrations. The radios also have a 60 hour battery life, so in the event of a power outage, they will still be functional.

The viaRadio ENVOY Local Emergency Warning System utilizes Radio Data Systems (RDS) information across FM frequencies to distribute the notifications via the HEARO Network through a partnership established with KDB Radio, FM 93.7. KDB, which is owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Foundation, was quick to became active partners in helping the community establish the new alerting solution. KDB, which is donating its signal for the new emergency alert system, has a strong signal into Montecito from its transmitter site on Gibraltar Peak and is capable of operating for days in the event of a power failure.

We have a vested interest in working with the Montecito Fire District in alerting residents there in case of an emergency, says KDB Vice-President & General Manager Tim Owens. Given KDB and the Santa Barbara Foundation s missions of serving the community, this collaboration seemed like a natural.

KDB s partnership makes them a pioneer on the West Coast and part of a larger network of responsible, professional broadcasters dedicated to providing the means to immediately notify their local communities of vital safety and emergency information and play a critical role in their community emergency warning system.

In addition to utilizing the viaRadio ENVOY Emergency Warning System and Ambient Control Systems HomeALERT receivers, Montecito Fire will continue to utilize Reverse 911, NIXLE, and AM 1680 to provide emergency and community information.

To purchase a HomeALERT Emergency Warning Receiver, you can order them in person at Station 1, 595 San Ysidro Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, or you can call 805-969-7762 to order with your credit card.

To register for NIXLE, go to www.nixle.com (You must use a Montecito address to recieve notifications from Montecito Fire)

To register your cell phone for Reverse 911 go to http://www.sbsheriff.org/reverse911a.html

We d like you to take a few minutes to watch this video with your family and discuss YOUR evacuation plan together.

Prepare in ADVANCE and think about where your important items are, and how you will gather them. Or better yet, put them in one location making it easier to grab and go.

• Medications, Prescriptions, eyeglasses
• Computers or back up disks (external USB hard drives large enough to copy or back up most people s entire
  computer. This is an easy way to keep a portable back up of your data - particularly if you do your banking on your computer.)
• Important documents, (birth certificates, tax records)- better yet - scan them on to the hard drive listed above and remember to keep them updated.
• Photos, art, jewelry and other important mementos
• Pets, pet food, leash and pet carrier(s)

Click here for more information on preparing for evacuations and wildfires.

In an effort to increase the access to this critical information, Montecito Fire Protection District is now utilizing NIXLE to disseminate Emergency Alerts and other community information.

NIXLE s Municipal Wire allows residents to subscribe to the service for free and delivers trustworthy and important public safety and community event notifications immediately by text message, email and/or web.

In addition to Montecito Fire, other local agencies, including Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services and Santa Barbara City Police are also set up to utilize NIXLE
notification services.

Residents can subscribe to this free service by clicking here.

For assistance with registration, please contact Nixle Support at 1.877.NIXLENA or Geri Ventura 805-969-2537.

The following information is provided by the CDC to assist you with information on how to protect yourself and your family during this hot weather.

DURING HOT WEATHER

To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and use common sense. The following tips are important:

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS

During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don t wait until you re thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.

Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Don t drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar-these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

REPLACE SALT AND MINERALS

Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND SUNSCREEN

Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Sunburn affects your body s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. It also causes pain and damages the skin. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) along with sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection on their labels) 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.

SCHEDULE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CAREFULLY

If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body s thermostat will have a chance to recover.

PACE YOURSELF

If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or at least into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

STAY COOL INDOORS

Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library-even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.

Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

USE A BUDDY SYSTEM

When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

MONITOR THOSE AT HIGH RISK

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.

INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.

PEOPLE 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.

PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.

PEOPLE WHO OVEREXERT during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.

PEOPLE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY ILL, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

USE COMMON SENSE

Remember to keep cool and use common sense:

• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals-they add heat to your body.
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body. Do not take salt tablets unless under medical supervision.
• Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches.
• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area.

HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

RECOGNIZING HEAT STROKE

Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, orally)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

WHAT TO DO

If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:

• Get the victim to a shady area.
• Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
• Monitor body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
• If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
• Do not give the victim fluids to drink.
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Sometimes a victim s muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his or her side.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

RECOGNIZING HEAT EXHAUSTION

Warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

The skin may be cool and moist. The victim s pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs:

Symptoms are severe

The victim has heart problems or high blood pressure
Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

WHAT TO DO

Cooling measures that may be effective include the following:

• Cool, nonalcoholic beverages
• Rest
• Cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
• An air-conditioned environment
• Lightweight clothing

HEAT CRAMPS

Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body s salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles may be the cause of heat cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

RECOGNIZING HEAT CRAMPS

Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms-usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs-that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps.

WHAT TO DO

If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps:

• Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside, because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in 1 hour.

SUNBURN

Sunburn should be avoided because it damages the skin. Although the discomfort is usually minor and healing often occurs in about a week, a more severe sunburn may require medical attention.

RECOGNIZING SUNBURN

Symptoms of sunburn are well known: the skin becomes red, painful, and abnormally warm after sun exposure.

WHAT TO DO

Consult a doctor if the sunburn affects an infant younger than 1 year of age or if these symptoms are present:

• Fever
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Severe pain

Also, remember these tips when treating sunburn:

• Avoid repeated sun exposure.
• Apply cold compresses or immerse the sunburned area in cool water.
• Apply moisturizing lotion to affected areas. Do not use salve, butter, or ointment.
• Do not break blisters.

HEAT RASH

Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children.

RECOGNIZING HEAT RASH

Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.

WHAT TO DO

The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.

Treating heat rash is simple and usually does not require medical assistance. Other heat-related problems can be much more severe.

For additional information on Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety, go to the CDC website:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

Montecito Fire Protection District funding is based on a portion of property taxes which is approximately 17% of 1% of the assessed value of all properties that lie within the Fire District jurisdictional boundaries.

In 1979, Proposition 4 was approved, limiting government spending. The Fire District must receive 2/3 s voter approval every four years to override the 1979 ballot measure, allowing the District to spend all that it collects above the previous spending limits. Appropriation spending limits are calculated using the previous year s limit multiplied by changes in the cost of living and in population.

The election procedure, which began in 1987, has been approved by voters in every Proposition 4 Override Election since then.

Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, coffee, and milk will be served by your local firefighters from 7:30 am to 10:30 am at Fire District Headquarters, 595 San Ysidro Rd.

Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased at the door.

Proceeds go to the Montecito Firefighter s Charitable Foundation.

Q. How does R911 call my phone?
A. R911 is a combination of computer technology and telecommunication technology. On our computer we can draw a map selecting an area we need to make a notification to. We then use a command to queue via our database of all listed and unlisted phone numbers for that selected area. We record our message and using a bank of phones, send an automated call to you.

Always remember that emergency notifications are made through several sources, such as R911, the media, Sheriff s Search and Rescue personnel going door to door with Law Enforcement, and Emergency Personnel using P.A. systems to name a few. If you receive an evacuation call, check with your neighbors to insure they received the message as well.

Q. What if R911 gets a busy signal?
A. We may try multiple times. We also get a report telling us what numbers were busy.

Q. What if R911 gets my answering machine?
A. We can and usually will leave a message.

Q. What if I use a cell phone as my primary home phone?
A. The newly upgraded Sheriff’s Department Website will have a Reverse 911 link allowing residents to register their cell phone numbers.

Q. Will R911 work if I have Call Blocking?
A. We can get through caller ID, if you have a caller ID window the ID will read Sheriff s Alert .

Q. Will R911 work if I have an external telemarketer blocker?
A. External telemarketer blockers may block the call. Consider removing the device during emergencies.

Q. Will R911 work if I have an unlisted number?
A. Yes, the Sheriff s Department receives weekly updates of both listed and unlisted numbers from the phone company.

Q. Will R911 work if I have phone service through my Internet Service Provider or VOIP?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I receive a text message on my cell phone?
A. Soon!! The Reverse 911 system has text messaging capabilities. Sheriff s Department personnel will be receiving training from Reverse 911 in the near future on how to incorporate this into their notification procedures. Like cell phones, this will require citizen’s to complete an on-line form providing us with the necessary information. Landlines remain the most reliable means for notification, as text messaging, cell phones and the internet can frequently experience spotty reception, dropped calls and delayed messages.

Original Post 11/13/2008

June 29, 2010 - The Montecito Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire at 1165 Summit Rd at 1:05 p.m. The call to 911 was made by resident. Upon arrival, MFD found smoke charged throughout the structure. The fire originated in a mechanical room in the basement and was contained to an area of approximately 200 square feet. Structural damage is estimated to be approximately $10,000.

There were 4 engines, 1 urban search and rescue vehicle, 1 squad, and several command vehicles on scene. There are over 15 firefighters on scene, with no injuries. Agencies involved included: Montecito Fire Protection District, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, and Carpinteria Summerland Fire District. Santa Barbara Sheriff s Department and CHP assisted with traffic control. Santa Barbara County Building and Safety also responded to assist with determining the integrity of the structural and electrical components of the building.

According to the resident, the structure was a part of the original Bartlett Estate and was built in the early 1900 s.

While we have had the typical June Gloom weather pattern in the front country, and in Montecito, it has been increasingly warmer and drier behind our community.

There are areas that burned in the 2009 Tea Fire that have already filled in with new growth!

It is important to remain mindful about fire safety and continue to maintain the recommended vegetation clearance around structures.

To assist with making homes more fire resistant, Montecito Fire offers home safety inspections to Montecito residents. To schedule your home fire safety appointment, please call 805-969-7762.

We also suggest that you familiarize yourself and your family with the Ready! Set! Go! action plan.

Click here to review the Ready! Set! Go! program.

We know that there are never enough fire apparatus and equipment to respond to every house.

Areas of Montecito will burn again. This is not maybe. This is a GIVEN.

We have also learned that you may be given little to no warning that you need to evacuate.

FIVE notable fires that have burned in the Montecito area:

Coyote 1964
Romero 1971
Sycamore 1977
Tea 2008
Jesusita 2009

Over 686 Structures have been destroyed.

Please take time to check out our Ready! Set! Go! program so that YOU can learn how to get your family and home ready for Wildfire.

We also have plenty of these brochures at BOTH our stations - come by and pick one up!

Station 1 - 595 San Ysidro Rd, Montecito
Station 2 - 2300 Sycamore Canyon Rd, Montecito

Jackie and Paty - your contributions do not go unnoticed!

Thank you for professionalism and for being a part of our fire family!

Disasters cannot be predicted - but you can prepare for them in advance.

Montecito Fire and MERRAG have combined efforts to create a brief survey so that we can find out how prepared our community is, and maybe prompt you to think about things you can do to enhance your own preparedness levels!

We also want to know how YOU want to hear about emergency information. There are many ways to disseminate information. We realize that what works for one person (ie text messaging) may not work for everyone. How do YOU want to receive it?

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. All information will be kept confidential.

Click Here to begin the survey.

Please forward the survey to your neighbors and friends as well! We hope to see our entire community take the survey!

If you have questions about how you can be better prepared, you can contact Geri Ventura at 805-969-2537 or gventura@montecitofire.com

Upon arrival, Montecito Fire personnel found smoke coming from a 500 square foot guest house. The resident reported that there were no occupants in the structure. The fire was knocked down at 10:24 a.m.

There were 4 engines, 1 light and air support vehicle, 1 rescue, 1 utility vehicle, 1 ambulance, and several command vehicles that responded to the incident. There was 1 firefighter injury. Agencies on scene include: Montecito Fire Protection District, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District, and Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

It is estimated to be $125,000 in damages. The fire cause is under investigation.

The equipment will be temporally located in the East Mountain Drive area between Coyote and Cold Springs Roads.

Local residents will hear a siren, followed by short audible (voice) information.

The Montecito Fire District has been researching different types of audible alerting systems and is now in the process of evaluating several types of equipment. Shortly after Montecito s disastrous Tea Fire, community leaders requested that Montecito Fire Protection District install some type of Early Warning Sirens .

There are many types of outdoor warning devices; sirens, horns, tones, and voice. We are hoping that a combination of siren/voice system will give adequate coverage. If the testing is favorable, the Montecito Fire District will move forward with purchasing and installing several devices within the community.

Residents are reminded that multiple warning methods are necessary to ensure they are adequately alerted to possible danger. The Montecito Fire District currently utilizes Reverse 911, NIXLE, our low power AM radio station: 1680 AM, the Montecito Fire District website: www.montecitofire.com, and the local media to alert the community during emergencies. The Audible Outdoor Notification System would be an additional tool for emergency notification

Residents are asked to NOT call 9-1-1 when the siren is sounded.

Be sure to clean out your rain gutters before the storms, and bring in patio furniture and other items outside that can blow away or be carried by rising water. Also remember to take this time to turn off all of your automatic sprinklers and exterior irrigation systems.

If you think you may need sandbags, get them NOW, not in the middle of the storm! Montecito Fire does have sand and bags available for residents, but there are many other locations throughout the county that have them available. Most hardware stores also have sand and bags available for purchase. (Disposal of sandbags after the rain storm is the responsibility of the resident.)

While they can make weather predictions to help us prepare for these events, there are other disasters we cannot predict, such as earthquakes!The tragedies in Haiti are a sad reminder that we must always be prepared!

As with all disasters and emergencies, and right now with the upcoming weather predictions, we stress that you review your disaster plan, and check the items you have in your kits, including food and water.

Be sure to keep your gas tanks at least half full. If there are power outages, few gas stations have generators to stay open.

Keep cash on hand, again, if there are power outages, the ATM s don t work either.

You can find information on what to have in your disaster kit, and other prepedness information on or website:
http://www.montecitofire.com/disaster_prep.htm

Monitor local weather conditions in real time at the NWS website for the Santa Barbara County area, http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/

Rain fall totals from various monitoring locations throughout the county can be viewed at: http://santabarbara.onerain.com/home.php

A web-based map service for the public to look up addresses based on FEMA flood zone information. The County Flood Zone - Look Up is on the Public Works website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/pwwater.aspx?id=2956

Information on Preparing for Floods and The Homeowner s Guide to Flood Prevention and Response, can be found at:
http://www.montecitofire.com/flooding.htm

Montecito Fire will continue to make updates utilzing NIXLE - so be sure sure to pass it on to your friends and family! Nixle registration is free and easy! www.nixle.com

Drop, Take Cover, and Hold On , is a song written as a public service announcement, that educates citizens on what to do during an earthquake. The song was the creation of Montecito Union School After School Enrichment Songwriting Class and class instructor Lanny Sherwin.

Mr. Sherwin, President of the children s record label, Sandman Records, was prompted to encourage the class to write the song after the school participated with MERRAG in the statewide Great California Shakeout earthquake drill held in October.

MERRAG volunteer and Montecito Union School Teacher Vicky Harbison contacted Mr. Sherwin and asked if the class could work on an emergency preparedness public service announcement for the Fire District s Community Informational Radio Station 1680 AM.

It took only one afternoon for the class to create the tune, and with the help of Sea Music Studio, they recorded it and provided the Fire District with a music file that could be uploaded to their website and radio station.

Montecito Fire encourages the community to tune to 1680 AM to hear the jingle, throughout the month January and add 1680 AM to their preset stations for other local information. In addition to being used for community announcements and preparedness information, the radio station is used by the Fire District to make urgent notifications to Montecito residents during local emergencies.

# # #

The Montecito Community Informational Radio Station 1680 AM is a low power radio station and its transmission is limited in the vicinity of the Montecito Community.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

• Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
  Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. We recommend that the tree be treated with a fire retardant solutions
• Caring for Your Tree
  Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Disposing of Your Tree
  Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights

• Maintain Your Holiday Lights
  Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
  Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
• Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

Holiday Decorations

• Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
  All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Artificial Christmas Trees
  If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care

• Avoid Using Lit Candles
  If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
  Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Fire Place Safety

• Keep the fireplace in good condition by repairing cracks in the flue lining, bricks and mortar.
• Keep the flue clear of soot, creosote and obstructions. Have the fireplace and chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year to check for creosote buildup.
  Have it cleaned if it is determined necessary.
• Equip the house with fire-warning devices. Install a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace.
• Install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.
• Keep combustible materials such as carpets, furniture, paper, logs and kindling at least 3 feet away from the fireplace. Arrange andirons so logs can t roll out.
• Use only enough fuel to keep the fire at the desired temperature.
  Avoid roaring fires. They can start chimney fires from soot and creosote deposits in the flue.
• Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire because the flammable vapors can explode.
• Never use fuels near a fire; explosive vapors can travel the length of a room.
• Keep the damper open while the fuel is burning to provide for efficient burning and to prevent accumulation of poisonous or explosive gases.
• Never burn Christmas tree greens.
  They cause many sparks when burning and can cause a chimney fire.
• Remove colored comic sections before rolling newspapers into logs.
  The colored inks contain lead and can produce toxic gases.
• Do not use coal, charcoal or polystyrene packaging in a fireplace unless the fireplace is designed to handle the excess heat and smoke which occurs when burning these materials.
• Do not treat artificial logs (made from sawdust and wax) the same way you treat real wood logs.
  Use only one at a time. If you use more, they can produce too much heat for some fireplaces to withstand.
• Keep children away from the fire because their clothing can easily ignite.
  Warn the entire family about this hazard.
• Be sure that all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them.
• Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

The grant money will specifically be used to fill a budget shortfall in funding for the district s annual brush clearing efforts. Annually, the district spends about $130,000 on brush clearing, but had to reduce funding to $100,000 this year.

This grant package helps supplement our current budget and allows us to maintain our current level of brush clearing efforts in the district, said Chief Wallace. With this money, we ll get a solid two weeks of brush and tree work within a very critical wildland area in Santa Barbara County.

Wildfires are one of the biggest dangers facing communities and homeowners around Santa Barbara, said Grace Neumann with Momentous Insurance Brokerage. This funding will ensure the fire district has the money it needs to reduce the risk of fire and keep the region as safe as possible. Montecito firefighters are extremely proactive when it comes to brush clearance, which is obviously of great concern to the community.

Combustion and Heat Transfer

Fire releases heat through combustion. Combustion is a physical and chemical process that unleashes solar energy stored in fuels as heat. Fuels can be anything flammable, however in a wildland fire it is commonly the surrounding vegetation. In a wildland fire in an urban interface environment like Montecito, the fuels can also include your home.

Combustion is supported when fuel, heat and oxygen (air), also referred to as the fire triangle , combine in just the right amounts. For a fire to grow and spread, heat must be transferred to surrounding fuel through convection, radiation or conduction. Conduction is the transfer of heat by contact; radiation is the transfer of heat by contact and through the air; and convection is the transfer of heat by (electromagnetic waves through the air);  contact, through the air and by direction (rising).

As wildland fires spread, radiation and convection are the primary methods of heat transfer from one fuel to another.

Have I still got your attention? There will be a quiz at the end of this article....

How Fire Spreads

The four general ways of propagation by which a fire can spread from one area to another are:

• Ground fires - restricted to the layer of duff, roots, and buried or partially buried dead and decaying logs - very much like most of us have in our yards adjacent to our houses.
• Surface fires - propagate through fuels less than six feet high, which are commonly small trees, shrubs (including decorative), herbaceous vegetation and litter.
• Crown fires - advance through the aerial strata of the fire environment more or less independently of surface fires. In Montecito this phenomenon can occur in Oak and Eucalyptus groves, especially when the canopies of trees are close to one another.
• Spotting - occurs when firebrands or embers are transported by wind beyond the main perimeter of the fire. Embers can be carried 1-3 miles in a wind driven fire. Examples of this type of spread are all too vivid in our memories of the recent Tea and Jesusita fires.

Wildland fires that occur in the Montecito area usually spread as a result of a combination of all of these.

How Fire Grows

Measuring or estimating flame height and length can help understand fire intensity and predict fire effects.
Under real life conditions the fire s shape and rate of spread will continually change. Fuel, weather and topography combine to influence a fire s rate of spread and overall behavior.

Flame Characteristics

Flame height is the vertical distance from the flame base or ground to the yellow flame tip.
Flame length is measured from ground level from the mid-point of the base of the flame to the tip of the flame, whether the flame is vertical or slanted.

In Montecito, flame lengths may vary from less than 1 foot in a slow moving backing fire in leaves and short grass to over 100 feet in extreme wildfire conditions in dense shrubs and Oaks. (A backing fire is one that is spreading into - or against - the wind or down slope.)

Please be patient - we re almost there!

Fire Danger Rating

Fire danger describes how easy it is to ignite vegetation, how difficult a fire may be to control and how much damage a fire may do. Rating systems produce qualitative and or numeric indices of fire potential based on fuels, topography and weather. These rating systems allow fire managers to estimate present and future fire danger for a given area.

The four fire danger rating signs in Montecito are located at Mountain Drive and Coyote Rd, Coldsprings and Sycamore Canyon Rd, San Ysidro Rd and E. Mountain Drive, and on Romero Canyon Rd. They are maintained daily and present the current fire danger rating for the Montecito area.

Watch for our next article in the Montecito Journal - Defensible Space!

Now...time to see how much of this you remember.

Short Quiz (fill in the blanks)
1. The three legs of the fire triangle are _______, _________ and _________.
2. In Montecito, crown fires can occur in ________ and __________ groves, especially when the canopies of these trees are close to one another.
3. When firebrands and embers are transported naturally by wind beyond the main perimeter of the fire, the resulting method of spread is called ________.
4. In the Montecito wildland fire environment, flame lengths vary from less than _______ft. to over ________ft. depending on fuel, weather and topography.
5. Public display signs measuring the current fire danger rating are located at what four locations in Montecito?

Mr. Grishin approached the Fire District offering to provide funds for needed fire equipment that could not be purchased within the current budget year.

Battalion Chief Glen McLeod who coordinates purchases of services and supplies determined that the Bullard hand held thermal imagers would benefit the firefighters tremendously when entering fire conditions. The District was able to purchase 5 cameras with each camera costing approximately $5,000.

These specialized cameras are designed to help give sight to each firefighter inside a burning building, using infrared technology to see through smoke and darkness.

This equipment will help our firefighters find victims, isolate fires and recognize structural dangers before they cause injuries and deaths, said Kevin Wallace, Montecito Fire District Fire Chief. We are very grateful to Mr. Grishin for his generous donation.

Upon arrival, Montecito Fire personnel found column of heavy smoke coming from the rear of the business. The fire did not extend into the interior of the building and was knocked down at 0412 a.m.

There were 5 engines, 1 truck company, 1 rescue, and several command vehicles on scene. Over 17 firefighting personnel responded to the incident. Responding agencies included: Montecito Fire Protection District, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, and Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District.

There were no injuries reported and the fire cause is under investigation.

Wash ash off children s toys before children play with them.

Clean ash off house pets.

Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants and avoid skin contact.

If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.

If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.

Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles, but rather blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be breathed. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available.

Well fitting dust masks may provide some protection during cleanup. A mask rated N-95 or P-100 will be more effective than simpler dust or surgical masks in blocking particles from ash. In general, many ash particles are larger than those found in smoke; thus, wearing a dust mask can significantly reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of particles inhaled.

Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician during ash fall. • Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas. • Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible.

If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible.

Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.

Original Post: 08/17/2007

We are asked this over and over again. Why can t we just put this fire out with water and retardant drops ?

When a fire burns in extremely dry brush, it is a difficult animal to cage. Often there are areas that haven t burned in many years.

Fires that occur in these conditions burn with power and can have flame lengths up to 100-200 feet. With fire behavior like this, we are unable to put firefighters in front of it.

Firefighters, hand crews and dozers can only be put in place after you ve removed some of the heat from it; this is done with (air) tankers and helicopters.

There have been many comments made by those who are not familiar with fire behavior and firefighting that believe wildland fires can be put out with a few water drops and retardant dropped by helicopters and air tankers. It is a mistake to make this assumption.

Aircraft only helps to slow the fire and cool it, but typically doesn t extinguish it. The bright red retardant - a phosphorus-based compound commonly known as Phos-Chek, is dropped on the vegetation which is often dense and can be as much as 6 feet tall (or more). With these conditions, the Phos-Chek cannot saturate the fuel enough to extinguish the fire, but it will slow it down.

Fires of this nature can only be stopped by removing the fuel in its path. This is typically done by hand crews and dozers. We refer to the successful removal of fuels and vegetation as a black line or containment line when it is wide enough to stop the fire s progression.

Fire retardant is dropped from heights of up to 300 feet by helicopters, air tankers or the newest tool in air resourced, the DC-10. Helicopters, depending on their size, can carry up to 800 gallons of water or retardant per load. Air tankers can be loaded with up to 2,500 gallons of retardant per flight, and the The DC-10 can hold up to 12,000 gallons of retardant. Their drops are not directed at the flames themselves, but the area in front of the flames or where crews are working to remove fuel/vegetation to create a containment line. The bright coloring of the retardant lets the pilots know where there drops landed. The retardant adheres to the vegetation as it falls, making it more fire-resistant, but not fire proof. This doesn t always work when the heat from a fire is too extreme, or winds drive the flames over and beyond where the retardant is dropped.

Water drops from helicopters are made on the leading edge of the fire, specifically to remove the heat from the flames and absorb its energy. The water does evaporate from the heat, but in doing so, it dissipates some of the energy from the fire. A steady stream of air resources on a fire line can be an effective way to slow the fire enough to safely put firefighters, hand crews and dozers in to make effective fire containment lines, thus stopping the fire from moving forward.

Air resources are tools in the toolbox of firefighting. The incident commanders consider all tools, and choose the ones that are most affective, and available when deciding how to fight any fire.

The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Selected Legal Issues (R40560). Washington, DC: CRS Report for Congress, June 15, 2009, 36 pages. Accessed at: http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40560_20090615.pdf

For more information on Influenza A (H1N1) please go to the CDC website or the World Health Organization website

General advice -

WASH YOUR HANDS!
WASH YOUR HANDS!
WASH YOUR HANDS!

It is important to remember that in the community setting the following general measures may be more important than wearing a mask in preventing the spread of influenza.

For individuals who are well:

Maintain distance of at least 1 meter from any individual with influenza-like symptoms, and:
refrain from touching mouth and nose;

• perform hand hygiene frequently, by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand rub (3) especially if touching the mouth and nose and surfaces that are potentially contaminated;
• reduce as much as possible the time spent in close contact with people who might be ill;
• reduce as much as possible the time spent in crowded settings;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows as much as possible.

For individuals with influenza-like symptoms:

• stay at home if you feel unwell and follow the local public health recommendations;
• keep distance from well individuals as much as possible (at least 1 meter);
• cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, with tissues or other suitable materials, to contain respiratory secretions. Dispose of the material immediately after use or wash it. Clean hands
• immediately after contact with respiratory secretions!
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows as much as possible.

If masks are worn, proper use and disposal is essential to ensure they are potentially effective and to avoid any increase in risk of transmission associated with the incorrect use of masks.

The following information on correct use of masks derives from the practices in health-care settings (4):

• place mask carefully to cover mouth and nose and tie securely to minimize any gaps between the face and the mask
• while in use, avoid touching the mask- whenever you touch a used mask, for example when removing or washing, clean hands by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub
• replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid
• do not re-use single-use masks
  - discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removing.

Although some alternative barriers to standard medical masks are frequently used (e.g. cloth mask, scarf, paper masks, rags tied over the nose and mouth), there is insufficient information available on their effectiveness. If such alternative barriers are used, they should only be used once or, in the case of cloth masks, should be cleaned thoroughly between each use (i.e. wash with normal household detergent at normal temperature). They should be removed immediately after caring for the ill. Hands should be washed immediately after removal of the mask.

(3) In settings where alcohol-based hand rubs are available and the safety concerns (such as fire hazards and accidental ingestion) are adequately addressed, their proper use (rubbing hands for 20-30 seconds) could be promoted as a means of disinfection.
(4) Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases in health care WHO Interim Guidelines (Jul 2007) available at http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/WHO_CD_EPR_2007_6/en/index.html

Upon arrival, Montecito Fire personnel found that resident Keven Vickers and neighbor Thomas Tighe had successfully extinguished the fire prior to arrival.

Mr. Vickers and Mr. Tighe were across the street when Mr. Tighe s daughter Megan alerted them that smoke and flames were coming from Mr. Vicker s garage window.

Mr. Tighe ran to his neighbor s house with two dry chemical fire extinguishers from his own home, then entered the garage, while ducking under the heat and smoke and extinguished the fire. Mr. Vickers was using the garden hose at the same time Mr. Tighe was using the dry chemical extinguishers, effectively putting the fire out prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.

The fire cause is under investigation.

Original post: 07/05/2008

While California s long, hot and dry summers offer us fantastic weather for many fun activities, they also provide optimal conditions for one of our state s biggest dangers - wildfires. In 2008, we experienced some of the most devastating fires in our history, and as summer comes to a start and we enter our third consecutive year of drought, it is vital that we prepare for this year s fire season.

Our Golden State is privileged to be home to more than eighty-five million acres of wildland, which enhance our natural beauty, provide recreation opportunities to visitors and contribute $452 million to our economy. Wildfires create a disastrous impact on this land by releasing dangerous greenhouse gasses and destroying forests and habitats, as well as potentially burning homes and harming our citizens.

Ninety-four percent of fires in our state are caused by humans, and by encouraging education and action among our residents, we can prevent many of them. One important step is to establish the required 100 feet of defensible space. We can also reduce our risk by understanding building code regulations and actively promoting fire safety in our communities.

For more information on Wild fire preparedness, click here

Prepare Your Home

Eliminate Hazards

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car

Know What to Do When the Shaking Begin

Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops

http://nwsmobile.wrh.noaa.gov/

• Clean out your rain gutters and drains, removing leaves, branches and other debris.
• Turn off automated sprinkler systems when rain is expected.
• Lower the level in your swimming pool, so it is less likely to overflow during heavy rain. The chlorinated pool water can be harmful to your grass
• Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• Always keep a flashlight and battery powered lanterns on hand along with extra batteries.
• Store or strap down any lightweight lawn furniture or outside umbrellas
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Maintain at least a half tank of gas because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps, and electricity often goes out during winter storms. What to do if the power goes out
• Look to see if your neighbors are also without power.
• If everyone else has power, check your fuse box or service panel to determine if the problem is internal.
• Call the Southern California Edison, 1-800-611-1911 to report the location of the power outage. (DO NOT call 9-1-1 for information or to ask how long the power will be out - we don t know.)
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home s electrical system.
• Turn to a local station on your battery-operated radio. If the power outage is extensive or there are rotating outages, there will be announcements on local stations.
• Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. Most modern refrigerators will maintain adequate cooling for over six hours if doors are not opened. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
• If you see a power line or utility pole that has fallen, STAY AWAY. Live power lines can cause serious injury or even kill you. Dial 9-1-1 to report the downed power line.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• Leave one light turned on so you ll know when your power returns.
• Consider your entertainment options - especially if you have kids! - (and if you have enough light) playing cards, books, board games, hand-held battery powered games
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances or electronics you were using when the power went out. Power outages affect many kinds of equipment Today, we depend on many kinds of equipment that rely on electricity, including some you may not have thought about.

Here are just a few of the items that may not work during a power outage:

• ATM machines (Get your cash out before the storm arrives)
• computers
• certain telephone systems
• certain types of WATER HEATERS, (No Hot Water? YIKES!)
• smoke alarms
• security systems
• elevators
• garage doors
• security gates

If you have an electric garage door opener or security gate, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. Sometimes garage doors and gates can be heavy, so get help to lift it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home upon return from work, be sure to keep a key to your house with you, in case the garage door will not open. Protect sensitive equipment and data Protect computers and related equipment such as printers or modems, and other electronic equipment with surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs).

If power goes out, a UPS provides battery power at a constant voltage for several minutes, allowing you to safely turn off equipment with minimal risk of data loss. During an outage, turn off and unplug all electronic equipment. This will help prevent or minimize damage from a possible over voltage condition when power is restored. Back up critical data often, making partial backups weekly or daily and complete backups on a regular schedule. Store backup copies in a secure, fireproof location off-site. Plan how to communicate during a power outage Don t rely on cordless phones, answering machines, or phones connected to answering machines all need electricity to operate. Keep at least one non-electrically powered telephone. Having at least one non-electrically powered telephone will also enable you to receive emergency notifications via reverse 9-1-1 if it is utilized. Use the phone for emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can provide the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information -- only call to report a life-threatening emergency Traveling During Winter Weather

If you HAVE to travel during a winter weather advisory or winter storm watch, do so in daylight, don t travel alone, keep others informed of your schedule and route, and stay on main roads. Avoid driving during a winter storm warning or blizzard warning.

Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes a shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, water, snack food, extra hats and mittens, blanket, tow chain or rope, road salt and sand, booster cables, emergency flares and fluorescent distress flag Specific Information for People With Disabilities

If you or someone you know uses a battery-operated wheelchair, life-support system, or other power-dependent equipment, call your power company and ask them what alternatives are available in your area.

If you use or know someone who uses a motorized wheelchair or scooter, have an extra battery. A car battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last as long as a wheelchair s deep-cycle battery. If available, store a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.

If you are or know someone who is blind or has a visual disability, store a talking or Braille clock or large-print timepiece with extra batteries.

If you are or know someone who is deaf or has a hearing loss, consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set. Emergency broadcasts may give information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open captioning.

From left to right:

Jordan Zietsoff has lived and worked in Santa Barbara for the past 4 years. He comes to the Montecito Fire District with a BA in Political Science, a minor in Spanish, and an AS degree in Fire Technology. After college, Jordan spent 2 years as an emergency medical technician in Los Angeles. He has worked for the US Forest Service in the Los Padres Forest for the past 4 years, including work as a Hot Shot crewmember, and a helicopter crewmember on the Santa Barbara Ranger District.

Ben Hauser was born in Stratford Ontario, Canada, and currently lives in Thousand Oaks. He is presently pursuing his AS degree in Fire Technology at Oxnard College. Ben is keeping the fire service in the family, as his father is a retired Canadian firefighter. Prior to working for Montecito Fire District, Ben worked as a Volunteer Fire Cadet for the Ventura County Fire Department and has 5 years of wildland fire hand crew experience, including the Los Padres Hot Shots, and working as a helicopter crewmember for the Arroyo Grande flight crew.

Sarah Marshall joined the fire service after graduating from high school in 1995. She worked for two years on an engine for the US Forest Service in the Los Padres Forest. She then worked as a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) ,which is now known as CalFire. While employed with CDF, Sarah was also a reserve firefighter with Lompoc Fire Department. In 1999, Lompoc Fire hired her as a full time firefighter, where she worked for 9 years, prior to joining the Montecito Fire District this past spring. Sarah is the first female firefighter to work at Montecito Fire District.

Travis began his career with the District in June of 1999 as a paramedic. He promoted to Engineer in June of 2005. Travis then went on to complete his Bachelor s Degree in Public Safety Management in 2007.

Travis designed and maintained the first Montecito Fire Protection District Web Site, and provided valuable input for the design of our current website.He has supported the District by writing computer applications that are specific to programs utilized internally, and has contributed to the development of maintenance programs that are utilized for the District s various fire ground equipment and apparatus.

He has taken much of his personal time both on and off duty to assist in training probationary firefighters and has volunteered to proctor oral boards both within the Montecito Fire Protection District and for other departments.

The Montecito Fire District is proud of Travis Ederer, and congratulates him on receiving the Montecito Rotary Club Vocational Service Award!

One of the original objectives of the drill included testing emergency alerting systems and evaluating the effectiveness of notification methods.

Early reports indicate that some residents did not receive the Reverse 9-1-1 message on Saturday, however, we are working with the Sheriff s Department and Verizon to determine what caused this and how we can improve the delivery of emergency messages in the future.

This points out a very important lesson, which is: residents cannot rely on just ONE method of notification. Nothing is fail proof, which is why we also utilize the media, our website, our new informational radio station 1680 AM, public safety vehicles driving up and down the streets of the affected areas with PA announcements, helicopters when available, and door to door if time allows.

Another one of our drill objectives was to train and educate the public with the ability to safely evacuate in an emergency. While not every resident in the designated evacuation zone actually evacuated, we distributed preparedness information to over 1100 residents by going door to door with packets that included brochures on what to do with your pets, things to consider if you have seniors or people with disabilities in your household, and information on how to make your home more fire safe.

A third objective was to establish agency coordination. This particular objective was extremely successful. We worked closely to establish positive working relationships with all agencies that would be involved in a real evacuation or other similar emergency in our community. By developing these contacts and relationships in a drill scenario, it will help to make the operations of a real emergency go smoother because we have developed and networked with all the players.

A question that came up many times from the participants in the drill is: WHERE DO WE GO? The fact is, you just need to leave the area. Utilize your family emergency/disaster plan and go to your designated meeting place if you and your family are not all together when you evacuate.

Go to friend or family member s house far from your own neighborhood. An evacuation center may not be established right away, but once one has been set up, we will provide that information to the media, to 2-1-1, on our website and on our own informational radio station, 1680 AM. However, until an evacuation center is established you, should get far as far away from the fire as quickly as possible.

Additionally, we have been asked: Why did you not open the gates at Sycamore Canyon for the drill? The 1600 block of Sycamore Canyon is located beneath an unstable hillside. Until that situation can be certified safe and stable we could not jeopardize the safety of our community members for the purpose of a drill. However, if there is a real fire moving toward that area, and the road has not been further impeded by the slide making it impassible, the gates WILL be opened for evacuation purposes. Once again, this points out a valuable lesson make it your responsibility to aware of EVERY possible exit out of your neighborhood and be informed about their conditions. (i.e. Stanwood Drive being closed for construction.)

During fire season particularly on hot dry days check the Cal Trans website and the Santa Barbara County Public Works website for local road conditions. Additionally listen to our AM radio station for updates. (Road conditions are not being broadcast on the station yet, but Cal Trans is scheduled to begin utilizing our radio station to broadcast local road conditions soon!)

If you live in the designated evacuation zone, a survey post card was mailed to you prior to the drill. If you did not receive the post card, please complete a survey by clicking here, and return it to Montecito Fire District, Attn: Evacuation Survey, 595 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. Your comments are very important to us, and will be included in our analysis of how the drill was planned and executed.

• Cause: Convection created by fire.
• Associated Weather: Can generate showers and storms.
• Hazard Warning: Clouds may develop into cumulonimbus and trigger further fires through lightning strikes.

This variation of cumulus derives its name from the fact that fire (pyro in Latin) creates both the lifting mechanism and the water vapor that combine to form this cloud. An extensive wildfire produces vigorous rising air currents and a large quantity of water vapor that is released by the air and vegetation during combustion.

The rising air lifts the water vapor to a level where it condenses and forms cumulus clouds that ride above the fire. The bases of these clouds are often difficult to discern, as they are usually hidden by the smoke from the wildfire, but the cloud tops are normally situated well above the smokescreen.

Pyrocumulus clouds vary widely in vertical extent, from humilis to congestus size. In some cases, the cloud can produce rain showers that limit or even extinguish the blaze below. However, particularly in subtropical regions where condensation results from an abundance of moisture in the surrounding air mass, the clouds may continue to grow until they reach the cumulonimbus stage.

In this case, lightning strikes from the cumulonimbus may trigger further fire outbreaks. Pyrocumulus clouds may be seen wherever wildfires occur. They are inevitably more common in highly fire-prone areas such as California, the French Riviera, and southeastern Australia.

Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician during ash fall.

Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best procedure in most cases.  A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas. Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible. If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible.

Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.