10/12/2017. FEMA. Private Sector Advisory. California Wildfires

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
                           Private Sector Division/
National Business Emergency Operations Center
FEMA-NRCC-NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov
Fema-private-sector@fema.dhs.gov

Private Sector Advisory

FEMA Coordinating with State, Local, and Tribal Officials in Support of
Wildfire Firefighting Efforts in California

October 12, 2017

FEMA, through its regional response coordination center in Oakland, California and deployed teams, continues to closely coordinate with state, local, and tribal officials supporting firefighting response activities in California.
There are eighteen large fires burning approximately 156,000 acres of state and private land, in parts of northern California.  Evacuations are in effect in some areas. Critical infrastructure is also threatened or damaged.
A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team remains on site at the California emergency operations center to coordinate directly with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs.
Federal agency representatives are also working to support federal and state requirements at the state operations center in Sacramento. Representatives from the Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, General Services Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, and the American Red Cross are deployed.
On Oct. 10, President Donald J. Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state of California to supplement state, tribal and local efforts in areas affected by the wildfires that began on October 8, 2017 and continuing. The action makes federal assistance available to the state and eligible local government and certain nonprofit organizations, on a cost-share basis, for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, in Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, and Yuba counties.  The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available statewide.  
The American Red Cross activated the Safe and Well program to allow survivors to let family members know they are safe and for family members to search for loved ones.
On Oct. 11, FEMA and the state began joint damage assessments in support of the California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr’s. request for Individual Assistance for Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, and Yuba Counties. The assessments leverage state-developed imagery and remote sensing information.      
Due to worsening fire conditions new evacuation orders were issued by local officials for areas of Sonoma County and the entire city of Calistoga in Napa County.
FEMA is staging ambulances at several safe locations closer to the fire areas with the majority traveling to Travis AFB, and continues to support anticipated shelter and evacuation needs by moving water, meals, cots and blankets to the federal incident support base. 
Preparedness and Safety Tips

• The state of California’s Office of Emergency Services website is a resource with links to fire information, air quality information, updates on evacuation centers and shelters, including shelters for animals and pets, volunteer opportunities and donations needs.
• Residents are reminded to continue to monitor local radio or TV stations for updates emergency information, and follow the instructions of state and local officials.
• If ordered to evacuate during a wildfire, do so immediately- make sure and inform someone where you are going and when you have arrived.
• If you see a wildfire and haven't received evacuation orders yet, call 9-1-1.  Don't assume that someone else has already called.
• If there is a wildfire in the area, be ready to evacuate on short notice.
• As soon as safe, individuals affected by the fires can contact their home and auto insurance agent or company.  Survivors can document damage by taking photos and keeping receipts. 
• Additional volunteer and donation opportunities are available on the website of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, http://www.nvoad.org, and the website of California Volunteers http://www.californiavolunteers.org/index.php/Disaster_Volunteering/current_disasters/.
• The FEMA app (available in English and Spanish) provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, directions to open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service.  The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
• Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn more about these and other preparedness tips.
• Businesses of all sizes should prepare in advance of wildfires to prevent loss of life, property, or disruption to operations. Businesses can review and update their business continuity plans and ensure their workforce knows what to do before and during the storm. Resources are available on web sites such as  www.ready.gov/business  and www.SBA.gov/disaster-planning.

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