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ENLARGE
Shirl Mendonca
If a wildfire were to threaten Lake Wildwood tonight, do you know what services are available to help? And do you know what you can do to minimize your risk?
LWW security follows the guidelines of the Lake Wildwood Emergency Plan, an extensive set of procedures to assess the situation, call in appropriate personnel and assist those in danger.
Many of their procedures are behind the scenes, but some of the more visible tools at their disposal include a siren on the water tower off of Song Sparrow Court, and an alert system for the volunteer Emergency Response Team (ERT) to be on standby to notify residents and to help as needed.
News sources at TheUnion.com, KNCO, KVMR and Channel 95 also can advise homeowners.
If the fire department is not on call, they would be on site within 6 to 10 minutes. With multiple public agencies involved, a unified command center would coordinate emergency personnel and provide information and direction while the fire department concentrates on the fire.
If needed, the county Office of Emergency Services could isolate at-risk neighborhoods and call each land line in the area. (Cellular telephones are not covered by this service.) A recorded message would tell homeowners what the situation is and what they need to do in case of an evacuation. Fire and law enforcement might also make announcements in your neighborhood via loud speaker.
If the Aurora Fire is any indication, a fire can spread a mile a minute under certain conditions.
With about 2,800 homes in LWW, and many residents who may be fast asleep or unable to hear a loudspeaker, time may be an important factor in saving lives.
In addition to LWW security and public agencies, many volunteers are trained and ready to help; volunteers would make sure their own families are safe first, so the number and speed of extra personnel is unknown.
Many neighborhoods in LWW already have organized themselves with lists of everyone’s name and phone number so they are prepared to help each other.
Taking this one step further, you may have neighbors who can’t physically care for their property, so organizing a block party work day and picnic could help a neighbor out while making the entire neighborhood more safe.
Eliminating Scotch broom is one area where neighbors can work together to increase their defensible space. This invasive plant is highly flammable and serves as a ladder fuel, putting both you and your entire neighborhood at risk.
If you know of a hazardous property where the owner is not cooperative, let the Environmental Management Office know. We all want to be safe. Did you know that the association can send a notice of violation for weedy grasses more than 4 inches at any time, not just during the weed abatement program each June?
We do have good support services in LWW, but a wildfire could spread fast under the right conditions. Our best bet is to work with one another in advance to minimize the risk.
Got a tip about someone or something in Penn Valley or Lake Wildwood? Contact Shirl Mendonca at shirlmendonca@gv.net.
LWW security follows the guidelines of the Lake Wildwood Emergency Plan, an extensive set of procedures to assess the situation, call in appropriate personnel and assist those in danger.
Many of their procedures are behind the scenes, but some of the more visible tools at their disposal include a siren on the water tower off of Song Sparrow Court, and an alert system for the volunteer Emergency Response Team (ERT) to be on standby to notify residents and to help as needed.
News sources at TheUnion.com, KNCO, KVMR and Channel 95 also can advise homeowners.
If the fire department is not on call, they would be on site within 6 to 10 minutes. With multiple public agencies involved, a unified command center would coordinate emergency personnel and provide information and direction while the fire department concentrates on the fire.
If needed, the county Office of Emergency Services could isolate at-risk neighborhoods and call each land line in the area. (Cellular telephones are not covered by this service.) A recorded message would tell homeowners what the situation is and what they need to do in case of an evacuation. Fire and law enforcement might also make announcements in your neighborhood via loud speaker.
If the Aurora Fire is any indication, a fire can spread a mile a minute under certain conditions.
With about 2,800 homes in LWW, and many residents who may be fast asleep or unable to hear a loudspeaker, time may be an important factor in saving lives.
In addition to LWW security and public agencies, many volunteers are trained and ready to help; volunteers would make sure their own families are safe first, so the number and speed of extra personnel is unknown.
Many neighborhoods in LWW already have organized themselves with lists of everyone’s name and phone number so they are prepared to help each other.
Taking this one step further, you may have neighbors who can’t physically care for their property, so organizing a block party work day and picnic could help a neighbor out while making the entire neighborhood more safe.
Eliminating Scotch broom is one area where neighbors can work together to increase their defensible space. This invasive plant is highly flammable and serves as a ladder fuel, putting both you and your entire neighborhood at risk.
If you know of a hazardous property where the owner is not cooperative, let the Environmental Management Office know. We all want to be safe. Did you know that the association can send a notice of violation for weedy grasses more than 4 inches at any time, not just during the weed abatement program each June?
We do have good support services in LWW, but a wildfire could spread fast under the right conditions. Our best bet is to work with one another in advance to minimize the risk.
Got a tip about someone or something in Penn Valley or Lake Wildwood? Contact Shirl Mendonca at shirlmendonca@gv.net.
