Friday, May 16, 2014
Water isn't just for putting out fires!
Drink plenty of water to help your body process the toxins in the smoke you've been breathing, especially while it's still so hot and dry. Make sure your kids and the elderly are doing so, too!
Arsonists don't normally just wake up and start setting fires...
Many of us are wondering what would cause a person (and they aren’t always men!) to start fires like the ones we’ve experienced this week. Well, they don’t wake up one day and start setting major fires – it’s generally a progression over years and they most often started as children. Part of my job with the Escondido Fire Department was to interview kids who were caught playing with fire and I interviewed hundreds and hundreds of them over the years. The good news is that most kids play with fire out of curiosity and, especially with proper intervention, they stop. Unfortunately, other kids are troubled and their involvement with fire grows until it becomes a serious problem for all of us. Several factors come together when a troubled child plays with fire and we need to be aware of them. Kids with ADHD and other learning disabilities are at risk for numerous reasons, including impulsivity, depression, and anger. Stress in the family can trigger an interest, too. Unfortunately, children who have been molested often turn to firesetting, as well. Troubled children who play with fire feel a sense of power when they otherwise feel helpless.
What can a family do to reduce the chances their children will play with fire? First – LOCK UP ALL MATCHES AND LIGHTERS. I can’t tell you how many parents insist that their kids know better, but it’s like leaving a loaded gun around; you just don’t do it. The best-behaved child can be tempted to experiment or talked into playing with a lighter by a friend. Be sure to lock up every source, including barbecue lighters. Focus on your children; if you’re experiencing financial problems or other stressors within your family, talk with your children and reassure them that they are not the problem and that your family will be okay. If your child is experiencing problems at school, work with the school to get testing and other assistance.
If you find evidence of firesetting around the home, don’t panic but do NOT ignore it. But don't go crazy, either! Unfortunately, the Escondido Fire Dept. no longer has a juvenile firesetter program to help kids and their families out but the Burn Institute in San Diego might be a resource. Some short-term contact with a mental health professional might be a positive preventative measure. Raising kids definitely isn’t easy. We do our best but sometimes we need a little help. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Links to more info about kids who play with fire –
ADHD and firsetting - http://sos.strateja-xl.com/.../ADD_and_Firesetting.pdf
General firesetter info for parents and caregivers -http://www.sosfires.com/caregiver_information/index.php
Burn Institute -http://www.burninstitute.org/
What can a family do to reduce the chances their children will play with fire? First – LOCK UP ALL MATCHES AND LIGHTERS. I can’t tell you how many parents insist that their kids know better, but it’s like leaving a loaded gun around; you just don’t do it. The best-behaved child can be tempted to experiment or talked into playing with a lighter by a friend. Be sure to lock up every source, including barbecue lighters. Focus on your children; if you’re experiencing financial problems or other stressors within your family, talk with your children and reassure them that they are not the problem and that your family will be okay. If your child is experiencing problems at school, work with the school to get testing and other assistance.
If you find evidence of firesetting around the home, don’t panic but do NOT ignore it. But don't go crazy, either! Unfortunately, the Escondido Fire Dept. no longer has a juvenile firesetter program to help kids and their families out but the Burn Institute in San Diego might be a resource. Some short-term contact with a mental health professional might be a positive preventative measure. Raising kids definitely isn’t easy. We do our best but sometimes we need a little help. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Links to more info about kids who play with fire –
ADHD and firsetting - http://sos.strateja-xl.com/.../ADD_and_Firesetting.pdf
General firesetter info for parents and caregivers -http://www.sosfires.com/caregiver_information/index.php
Burn Institute -http://www.burninstitute.org/
Don't Panic, Escondido!
One of the most important things right now is to not panic – yes, that also means that you can back away from the computer like Patti says on her "Escondido Friends" Facebook Group. Most of Escondido will get through this disaster untouched by the fire. I can tell you, after spending time in the Emergency Operations Center during major fires in the past, that we’re in very good hands. City personnel hold regular drills to sharpen their abilities to handle anything that’s thrown at them. Our firefighters are well trained and equipped and they have help from lots of other fire departments. Law enforcement is working hard to evacuate neighborhoods in time and protect those neighborhoods once the residents have left.
Most importantly, if you have children, please stay calm for their sake. They most likely know what’s going on and you need to be able to reassure them when they ask questions. It can be a good idea to involve them in your family plan – even though the fire is not likely a risk for most of us, it never hurts to be prepared. Sit down with them and calmly discuss what (few) items would be most important for them to take with them – maybe even pack their backpacks and set them near the door. Let them see that you can prepare what the family might need if you had to leave quickly. If you have crates for your pets, go ahead and place them in an area where they’re easily accessed.
The air quality isn’t good, so I’d keep the kids inside as much as possible. Change channels away from the news on the TV and watch some silly movies together.
Yes, your thoughts and prayers for those who are losing their homes and for the first responders are appreciated; please keep those up, too. Hang in there, everybody!
Most importantly, if you have children, please stay calm for their sake. They most likely know what’s going on and you need to be able to reassure them when they ask questions. It can be a good idea to involve them in your family plan – even though the fire is not likely a risk for most of us, it never hurts to be prepared. Sit down with them and calmly discuss what (few) items would be most important for them to take with them – maybe even pack their backpacks and set them near the door. Let them see that you can prepare what the family might need if you had to leave quickly. If you have crates for your pets, go ahead and place them in an area where they’re easily accessed.
The air quality isn’t good, so I’d keep the kids inside as much as possible. Change channels away from the news on the TV and watch some silly movies together.
Yes, your thoughts and prayers for those who are losing their homes and for the first responders are appreciated; please keep those up, too. Hang in there, everybody!
Really want to help during a wildfire?
Really want to help? I understand the frustration among caring people who feel so helpless in a situation like this and I’ve seen how innocent attempts to help can make things more challenging for emergency responders and shelter managers, so here are some ideas, again based on my 22 years in the fire service.
If you’re not in an area threatened by fire and you’re not an emergency worker/emergency responder/healthcare provider/trained volunteer, stay put. If your children are home from school, make certain that they are supervised. Be especially careful while cooking or using fire at home or at work – busy firefighters shouldn’t have to respond to the fire you started on your stove when you left the oil to overheat in the frying pan!
Drive only if you absolutely have to and obey speed limits and other laws – firefighters shouldn’t have to respond to the crash you caused out of negligence. STAY AWAY from the fire areas; they’re not tourist sites. It’s appalling how many well-intentioned parents place themselves, their children, firefighters, and residents at risk because they want to show their children what can happen if they play with fire. Also stay away from evacuation shelters, fire stations, and the fire camp at Kit Carson Park. Those who belong there need to focus on their work and traffic in and out should not be impeded. Hold off on donations of water and other items until you learn what’s needed and where.
Finally, don’t believe everything you read on Facebook or see on the news. Rely on what comes directly from city/county officials and fire agency representatives.
If you’re not in an area threatened by fire and you’re not an emergency worker/emergency responder/healthcare provider/trained volunteer, stay put. If your children are home from school, make certain that they are supervised. Be especially careful while cooking or using fire at home or at work – busy firefighters shouldn’t have to respond to the fire you started on your stove when you left the oil to overheat in the frying pan!
Drive only if you absolutely have to and obey speed limits and other laws – firefighters shouldn’t have to respond to the crash you caused out of negligence. STAY AWAY from the fire areas; they’re not tourist sites. It’s appalling how many well-intentioned parents place themselves, their children, firefighters, and residents at risk because they want to show their children what can happen if they play with fire. Also stay away from evacuation shelters, fire stations, and the fire camp at Kit Carson Park. Those who belong there need to focus on their work and traffic in and out should not be impeded. Hold off on donations of water and other items until you learn what’s needed and where.
Finally, don’t believe everything you read on Facebook or see on the news. Rely on what comes directly from city/county officials and fire agency representatives.
Refusing to evacuate?
Here’s my take on evacuating during a wildfire after 22 years in the fire service:
1. If things go south, firefighters and equipment will be pulled off key positions to help you instead of fighting the fire and they’re placing themselves at greater risk.
2. If you leave too late your car’s engine might not function in the oxygen-depleted conditions and if it can, you probably will not be able to see the road or other vehicles. You might also impede firefighters coming into the area.
3. You’re unnecessarily worrying loved ones who may attempt to reach you or tie up emergency phone lines trying to locate you.
4. If you think you’re going to protect your home, odds are, you don’t have the equipment or expertise to fight a wildfire – a garden hose is useless against the wind and heat you’ll experience.
Finally, evacuation orders are not issued without good reason. Command staff are experts in weather, terrain, and fire behavior and if they say that you need to leave, PLEASE LEAVE. Staying behind is not brave or necessary or wise. It’s just stupid and dangerous. Yes, I said stupid. So please, evacuate when told to.
If you have not been notified to evacuate but the wind and fire are rapidly coming in your direction, get out and stay out until you are allowed to return. In other words, do your part to really HELP by getting out of the way and letting the firefighters do what they train and are equipped to do.
Please feel free to share this. I was the Public Information Officer for the Escondido Fire Department for 18 years and, now that I'm retired, this is how I can continue to serve.
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