Emergency responders in San Diego County have a tool to help disaster victims rebuild their lives. The county’s fire chiefs have teamed up with the Office of Emergency Services and the Red Cross to help people get back on their feet.
The new Red Guide to Recovery is designed to give survivors a step-by-step resource after a disaster ends.
The 184-page booklet includes tips on everything from finding family members in the immediate aftermath to selecting a reliable contractor.
President of the County’s Fire Chiefs’ Association Augie Ghio said the guides will provide a service emergency responders can’t.
“We can’t prevent every fire, we can’t prevent the floods, we can’t prevent the vehicle into a structure. So, we have people that get property damage," he said at the Burn Institute on Thursday. "How do we help take care of them? How do we help them take care of themselves after the threat, after the emergency when they’ve received damage?”
Every fire engine in the county will now have several of the guides on board for disaster victims.
San Diego County Chief Deputy District Attorney Daniel Lamborn lost his home in the 2007 wildfires. He said the new guide will help people like him avoid being victimized twice.
“You’re vulnerable. A lot of good people come to help you but you can’t separate the good people from those that want to prey and make a buck off you," he said. "Well, this is a good guide to help you ferret out the good from the bad in that regard.”
The guides are available in English and Spanish. Electronic versions will be available on the San Diego Red Cross website.
