RED FLAG
San
Bernardino County Communities
As
Santa Ana winds and the possibility of wildfires loom on the horizon, your
local San Bernardino County Fire
Department (SBCoFD) has implemented some important programs to keep this
county safe.
To
promote Wildfire Readiness within
San Bernardino County, SBCoFD has implemented the Red Flag Community
Notification program. When conditions for extreme fire danger arise and the National Weather Service posts a Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning,
residents will see a red flag flown below the American Flag at all SBCoFD
stations within the affected area. Residents will then know to prepare by
focusing on preparation and prevention in and around their homes.
“The
Red Flag Warning
program is designed to enhance public safety by providing a visual reminder
that extreme fire conditions are predicted or present,” stated Fire Chief Don
Trapp. “This program is another tool in reaching out to communities during Red
Flag Warnings and asking them to take extra precautions.”
Deputy
Chief Kathleen Opliger reiterated that SBCoFD is poised and prepared to defend
life and property within the county. She states, “San Bernardino County Fire
has an arsenal of resources readily available. These include our specialized
firefighting workforce, gel task force, dozers, hand crews, and a partnership
with the San Bernardino County Sheriff
Department for water dropping helicopters.”
SBCoFD
continuously monitors all factors that contribute to the potential for large
and damaging wildfires and staff our resources accordingly.
Along
with the Red Flag Warning program, SBCoFD also encourages everyone to become
familiar with and implement your own Ready! Set! Go! plan.
“This
program is about helping residents understand how their home’s location,
surrounding vegetation, construction elements, and other factors place them at
risk during a wildfire,” Fire Marshal Mike Horton stated.
Defensible space, Disaster Plans, and Evacuation
Preparedness all make up the Ready! Set! Go! program to help citizens protect
themselves and their family.
“See Something, Say Something!” SBCoFD asks that you be
our eyes and ears, our lookouts. If you see smoke or someone doing something
that potentially can start a fire, call 9-1-1 and report it
immediately.
One
spark is all it takes to start a devastating wildfire, especially during a Red
Flag warning.
Learn how to be prepared
San Bernardino County Fire Department
Visit website
at www.sbcfire.org
