9 Wildfire Tips from CERF+
Sep
1
Written by:
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
The recent wildfires near Boulder, Colorado underscore the importance of making preparations to help protect our studios and homes from the threat of fires, and to have a plan in place in case of fire.
We hope that everyone already has an evacuation plan and
disaster supply kit prepared for their home. CERF+ has found that, even in disaster-prone areas, artists often fail to make preparations to protect their careers.
1. Create safety zone of at least 30 feet around your studio and home, by removing and reducing highly flammable vegetation. Attempt last-minute measures only if they do not endanger you or others.
2. Remove debris from locations close to structures.
3. Enclose all eaves. Use fire-resistant siding and safety-glass windows and doors.
4. Use non-combustible materials for your roof.
5. Develop an external water supply — such as a small pond, well or pool.
6. If you evacuate, remember to protect or take with you slides, tapes, process notes, and copies of critical documents if you do not already have copies in a Safe Off-site Location (SOL).
7. If you do not have off-site backups of critical computer files, back up to a portable drive or optical disc and take copies with you.
8. If you have a copy of the Studio Protector take it with you when you evacuate so you can begin working on a recovery plan.
9. Turn off electricity and gas if you have time before you evacuate.
The Studio Protector web site has a list of fire planning resources.
More tips for emergency readiness, response and recovery for artists are available at www.studioprotector.org.
The
Disaster Warning booklet in the
Studio Protector Wall Guide has more last-minute tips as does the
Disaster Warning section of the
Studio Protector Online.
For those who have already been affected by the wildfire and those helping them in the post-disaster cleanup effort, here are links to the Cleanup and Salvage sections of the website:
Arts organizations should refer to
www.ArtsReady.org for information on disaster planning.