CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Camp Pendleton firefighters manage 101 wild fires on base annually and fire season is just around the corner, so it is important for base residents to be prepared in case of an emergency.
“Billions of dollars of property loss occur each year because of fire damage,” said Robert Johnson, Deputy Chief for Fire Prevention at Camp Pendleton’s Security & Emergency Services Station. “Injuries happen and lives can be lost during these fires so it’s important to be prepared. As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“Residents should stay abreast of an emergency situation through the Camp Pendleton Facebook page, the Giant Voice and the Emergency Notification System,” said Johnson.
The Giant Voice, a network of speakers on base, and the Emergency Notification System, an e-mail based notification system, allows base residents to remain up to date on the conditions of a fire and the evacuation plan from the Emergency Operations Center.
Sign up for the Emergency Notification System at: http://entry.inspironlogistics.com/camp_pendleton/wens.cfm
Military members are also encouraged to enroll in the ATHOC Emergency Notification System. Instructions can be found at: https://youtu.be/2j-dnwtt5YY
“The best plans are the ones well-prepared long in advance,” said Johnson. “Know what to do, where to go, what you need to take with you when you leave and making sure that when you do leave your residence due to an evacuation, you can make contact with your family members. Let them know what your conditions are and where you’re located.”
If a wildfire affects the area, Johnson says that the best course of action to protect yourself and your family would be to evacuate the area as soon as possible to avoid being trapped by the fire.
For further information on planning for wild fires visit: http://www.pendleton.marines.mil/EmergencyInformation/EmergencyPlanning.aspx
In case of an evacuation, military police from the Provost Marshal’s Office will be at housing areas to provide directions to the evacuation center. Families are urged to bring essentials such as medication, food, water and blankets.
A Pre-Evacuation Checklist is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/evacuation.pdf
For further information in case of emergencies on base, please follow the Camp Pendleton Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MCIWPendletonCA/
Residents can also get information by following the Camp Pendleton Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/mciwpendletonca