In this special edition of my eNewsletter, I'm devoting the entire issue to reviewing the fires and their aftermath, what's happened since and where we are headed over the next months and years ahead. I've included a number of photos and links for your perusal.  There's also a Fire Safety and Roof Expo this weekend, read more about it here in this eNewslletter.

With so much going on, keeping you up to date with my eNewsletter is a chance for me to tell you about issues and events and more importantly, for you to send me your thoughts and comments. 
You can write me by clicking on this link.

If you are new to our eNewsletter, welcome!  People are regularly added to the list by contacting our office or having joined from our website.  Do we have your correct zip code on file?  Having your zip code on file is important when we have updates specific for your area only.  Are you able to view all the photos? (select HTML in preferences)  Please click this link and update your preferences so we can send you the most relevant information.

And please share this eNewsletter with your friends and neighbors - you can send them their own copy.  It's best if you use the "forward" feature by clicking this link - that way all the photos and formatting stays the same along with a special message from you. You can also refer people to http://JimMadaffer.com/email and visit my website to signup.  Our email list has tremendously grown in size this past year - not just with folks in my City Council District, but around the city and beyond.  It's a great way to stay up to date with some of the many important issues going on in and around San Diego.

In fact, many of you may recall the many photos I took and then posted on my website immediately following the fires . . . here is a link on my website to a video I created that sort of encapsulates the fires - both from behind the fire line and an aerial tour from above (RealPlayer required to view).

You might also want to visit a gallery I created containing links with several hundred photos - some of the photos are in the video link above plus many more:

http://jimmadaffer.com/cd7/FireStorm/FireStorm.htm

The Year In Review
 

City Council District 7 was heavily impacted by last year's fires. A huge portion of my council district burned including more than 2,800 acres of Mission Trails Regional Park, thousands of acres of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, with 79 residential units destroyed or damaged and the evacuation of the communities of Tierrasanta, San Carlos and a portion of Allied Gardens. Last October's firestorm is a memory many of us would rather forget, and as we approach the one-year anniversary of the fires, we need to take special care and support those who were victims in this critical time.

Statistics

One year later and the stats still pack a wallop. In the City of San Diego fortunately no lives were lost and for that we will always be thankful. In the City a total of 28,676 acres were burned, 335 structures lost, and $204 million in property value lost. Resources from our Fire-Rescue Department were more than 500 personnel over a three day period with all available apparatus and vehicles used. In Tierrasanta, there were 79 single family homes, condos, and apartments damaged and destroyed in last October's firestorm. The statistics were even more grim in Scripps Ranch and around the rest of the County with a total of 2,095 structures destroyed. Truly an epic event.

Since the fires, many people have worked very hard to help those affected by the fire and to help improve public safety programs to keep us safe.

Fire safety and prevention is still paramount today and I want to update you on what has transpired since then.  There is an emphasis on the Tierrasanta community since that community was hardest hit in Council District 7, but there's plenty of information that all residents of the region can benefit from.

San Diego's Public Safety Budget

The fires showed a glaring need for more fire fighters and better equipment and an all around greater investment in public safety. It was a very difficult budget time this past June when we were facing serious shortfalls and at the same time critical needs such as much needed fire fighting equipment. Recognizing the necessity for boosting our public safety provisions, the City Council voted to increase the police department budget by 15% and the fire department budget by almost 19%. This included hiring additional personnel and new trucks as well as making permanent Copter One, our fire-fighting helicopter. This was done at the same time as we voted to place our pension fund payments back on track for the first time since 1996.

New Codes for Roofs

One of the most important changes since the fires is that the City Council voted to approve revisions to roofing codes. These important changes include banning wood shake roofs on new homes or homes where the roof is being replaced. Class A Roofing materials are usually made of cement, clay, copper or slate. The new City law requires Class A roofs to be installed on all new construction and a complete roof replacement whenever repairs exceed 25 percent on a non-Class A roof.

In addition, the following "guidelines" have been recommended for homeowners to incorporate in their home improvements to provide greater protection from fires. The list includes fire sprinklers, one-hour rated exterior walls, dual glazed windows and skylights, boxed eaves, attic and eave vent protection as well as non-combustible rain gutters, fences and garage doors. A number of these recommendations could become law when the City Council considers brush and building code changes at a future date.

CERT

Back in 1988, I worked with community members to establish a Disaster Preparedness committee for Tierrasanta. The program continued in earnest before fading from view. Following the fires last fall, I again pushed for a community based volunteer group that would plan for emergencies. I'm very proud of the many residents from Tierrasanta and from the Navajo communities who have taken part in the CERT training and invested a significant amount of time training. As last year's devastating fires proved, we need to be prepared for any type of emergency and disaster. As you've read in prior eNewsletters, we need to be prepared for all emergencies - from earthquakes to fires to terrorism.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. CERT is a national program supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy. The damaged caused by large scale fires, earthquakes, flooding or acts of terrorism can severely restrict and overwhelm emergency response resources, communications, transportation and utilities leaving neighborhoods cut off from outside support.

In an earlier issue I mentioned that Tierrasanta resident Mike George secured a new truck for use by the CERT program Citywide. A huge thank you to Mr. John Preston and the New Car Dealers Association for donating the truck. Additionally, this past summer I allocated $50,000 for the Tierrasanta CERT program from Tierrasanta developer agreement funds. Community leaders will use these funds to implement the Tierrasanta CERT program.

Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group

A positive result of last fall's tragedy is communities coming together to help. One example that comes to mind is the Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group. As a way of coping with what happened and providing help for others, a few residents took their idea and turned it into an action plan for community assistance. The Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group was organized for the purpose of providing long term relief and recovery to residents of the community of Tierrasanta who have suffered damage as a result of the 2003 Cedar Fires. Much credit goes to the main organizers of the Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group. They are Melody L. Morse, Operations Coordinator /Survivor Advocate; Lisa Shuman, Community Resource Liaison and Marianne Schafstall, Publicity and Donation Requests.

The mission of the Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group is to locate and assist all residents of Tierrasanta whether they live in Tierrasanta now or did so before the fires. They fully support the ideals and goals of the countywide San Diego Firestorm Community Recovery Team. They have partnered with the Heartland Foundation as their fiscal agent for donations. Any funds sent to the team are administered by the Heartland Foundation. This also includes funds designated for fire survivor families and their needs. Checks should be made out to Heartland Foundation with Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Team written in the memo line.

The group is made up of five single family homeowners and their renters, condo owners and their renters, and the affected renters of the Montanosa Apartments. All of the homeowners have some level of insurance, (all are to some extent underinsured). The condo owners have homeowners insurance with their home owners association (HOA) which covers the structure only. Most did not have adequate coverage for rebuilding and some did not have contents insurance. Several families have maxed out their credit cards. Others have taken on an additional job just to pay for the carpet, tile and large appliances that they need. Most of the renters did not have any renters insurance and have been struggling with replacing all household items.

Lending A Helping Hand

In partnership with my office, the Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group has tried to fill some needs of the residents by asking for and receiving donations of used household items and furniture. Individuals have been matched up with a case worker from the Salvation Army, which then tries to match the fire survivor's needs with available resources. The group is seeking funds to assist residents in order to help them pay for much needed building materials for their homes. This includes carpet, tile, doors and windows. For the homeowners who have run out of Additional Living Expenses (ALE) the request is for more than one month's rent. Their plan is to approach organizations for donations of the needed materials for these families. This includes furniture, food and building supplies.

 Tierrasanta Fire Recovery
by Melody Morse
(a fire survivor)

Tierrasanta fire victims are still recovering from the October fires. Through a series of misunderstandings, the residents of Tierrasanta did not receive the same services and donations received by other communities affected by the fires. They are beginning to make progress but still need help. Many Tierrasanta residents were either uninsured or underinsured. The list below provides a partial list of the items still needed. New or gently used items would be greatly appreciated. Gift cards are also welcome as well as cash donations which can be made payable to the Heartland Foundation with "Tierrasanta Fire Recovery" written in the memo line. Their address is 1068 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to contact me to arrange for a pick up or drop off, my phone number is 858-571-6902 and my email address is mlmorse@san.rr.com.

Here is a list of needed items:

Kitchen:

Mixers, blenders, toasters, toaster ovens, flatware, knives, cookie sheets, cake pans & baking dishes, pots & pans, dishes, glasses, rolling pins, serving dishes, cutting boards, all kitchen utensils, all vases & knickknacks, baskets, all paper, plastic & cleaning items, etc.

Linens:

Towels of all sizes (kitchen and bath), deep pocket and regular queen sheets, deep pocket Cal King sheets, twin and full sheets, placemats, pot-holders, tablecloths, pillows, etc.

Furniture:

Lamps, dressers, end tables, coffee tables, tables and chairs, computer desks, bookcases, storage cabinets, patio furniture, etc. No couches or mattresses are needed at this time.

Major Appliances:

Washers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, stoves

Household items:

Sponges, buckets, mops, dustpans, brooms, laundry baskets and hampers, etc. Also blinds, shutters, curtains and all the hardware.

Tools/Hardware:

Tool boxes, hammers, drill, drill bits, screw divers, level, stud finder, flashlights, pails, hand saws, measuring tape, clamps, bungee cords, step stool, ladder, nails and screws.

Garden:

Hose, shovels, rakes, plant pots, watering can, BBQ and tools, kneeling pads, plants etc.

Medical:

Grabbers, canes, Ace bandages, thermometers, ice packs, pillboxes, Band-Aids, etc.

Office Supplies:

Pencil sharpeners, staplers, staple remover, calculators, photo albums, dictionaries, thesaurus, working computers and printers, telephones, clocks, lamps, all paper, etc.

Fun and games:

• Bikes & helmets, bats and balls, sporting equipment, puzzles, books, back-packs, etc.
• Tools, any and all types. We have survivors whose only tools fit loosely in a small paper bag.
• Crow bars, hammers, jig saw, handsaws
• Ladders, stepladders, foot stools
• Hoses, buckets, rope, plastic and work gloves, plastic sheets for painting
• Any and all types of tape
• Level, stud finder, measuring tape, extension cords, surge protector
• Nails, screws, bolts, picture hanging kits
• Drills, batteries, square, clamps, putty knife
• Any building tools or supplies - sanders, work benches, paint brushes etc.
• Any and all Christmas items - we have survivors who have nothing
• Garage shelving and brackets
• Coolers, hand cleaners

Also, frequently asked for items include laundry detergent, fabric sheets, cleaning supplies as well as any and all paper and plastic products. The survivors have also asked me to keep an eye out for tables and chairs, (mainly small ones) computer desks and chairs, any and all office equipment including printers, paper, stapler, scissors, and all miscellaneous items you would find in a home office.

Also on the list is Welcome Home baskets that would make the transition easier and would be especially appreciated as we approach the upcoming holidays. Thank you for your help.

Volunteers Still Needed

The Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group needs your help!  Please contact Melody Morse if you can assist with any of the following:

• Help in sorting out the donations.
• Taking photos of the furniture that has just been donated (it's available for anyone). The furniture will be kept in storage until the lease is up - for several more months.
• Help in delivering the furniture to people's homes.
• Help in basic office duties such as sorting paperwork, and inputting info into the computer.
• Help in writing thank you letters to the dozens of people who in the past week have completely filled the garage with donations.
• Collecting money and passing it on
• Seeking and providing volunteers for the labor in rebuilding
• Having a tool and hardware drive
• Help clean rental houses as people move out (this is especially helpful for elderly residents)
• Help in purchasing and installing new landscaping.
• Having a Christmas and Hanukah decorations drive
• Finding ways to find donations of building supplies for this effort
• Feeding those who are volunteering on the EXPO day on October 23rd
• Finding professional movers to move people move into their new homes

The numbers (in Tierrasanta) according to Melody Morse:

Single Family units damaged or destroyed: 8

Multi-Family units damaged or destroyed: 71

Total units damaged or destroyed: 79

Uninsured: 30

Underinsured: 41

Insured: 8

Damaged/Destroyed homes:

Seda Drive: 10/ 0

Tinasa Way: 2/ 0

Valdina Way: 1/ 0

Via Promesa: 3/ 2

Palabra Circle: 1/ 2

Corte Playa Las Brisas: 0/ 1

Camino Playa Cancun: 6/ 6

Camino Playa Carmel: 1/ 0

Portobelo: 4/ 0

Antigua: 32/ 8

TOTAL: 60 damaged/ 19 destroyed

Safety Starts at Home

Because families in apartment and condo complexes live so close together, there are special areas of concern when it comes to fire safety.

It's important to remember that what you do in your apartment or condo can affect people living six-doors down, or even in the next building.

Special hazards that affect people who live in multi-family units:

• Often, there is only one way in or out---no back door.
• Stairways are often built entirely of wood. If the stairwell or walkway is on fire, you may not be able to exit through the front door.
• Congested parking can mean blocked fire hydrants and/or blocked fire lanes. (A ladder truck can be 8 to 9 feet wide and 50 feet long. A blocked fire lane can slow down response time.)
• An apartment building is, in effect, a very densely populated neighborhood. (If the downstairs or next-door apartment is on fire, it can spread quickly to adjoining apartments in a matter of minutes.)
• Without properly working smoke alarms, it may take a long time before you find out that another part of the apartment building is on fire. Consequently, this could cut your chances of getting out of the building alive.

Tips for Living Safely in Apartment and Condo Buildings (single family homes too)

• Make sure you have smoke alarms that work.
   
• The Fire Code requires working smoke alarm(s) in every apartment unit. Existing apartments require smoke alarms in the hallway outside sleeping areas. Newly constructed apartments now require them in the sleep room, as well. Remember to check the batteries once a month, and replace the batteries once a year.
   
• The apartment complex is required to have a fire extinguisher within 75-feet travel distance.
   
• If extinguishers are not provided outside the apartments, then each apartment inside is required to have one.
   
• The Fire Code states that no person shall use fixed or portable barbecues in or under any attached covered patios, balconies, covered walkways or roof overhangs.
   
• When in use, barbecues should be located on ground level and be a minimum of 5 feet from buildings, structures, covered walkways or roof overhangs.
   
• Don't park in front of fire hydrants and don't park in fire lanes.
   
• Respecting the fire restrictions may literally save your life. When friends visit, be sure to remind them to park only in appropriate parking areas.
   
• Never leave smoking materials burning. Never smoke in bed.
   
• In 2001, the most common cause of apartment fires was careless disposal of smoking materials.
   
• Have a fire escape plan. Practice it.
   
• Know at least two ways to get out of your apartment. Pick a family meeting place outside the apartment building. Don't use elevators (they may take you right into the fire)
   
• Make sure there's a number on your apartment door. If there isn't, contact management.
   
• Keep a copy of your apartment number and apartment building number, inside your apartment, near the phone. The information will then be handy for babysitters, and it will be there if you panic and cannot remember.
   
• Complex owners and managers need to be sure gated driveways are accessible to firefighters.  75 percent of multi-housing complexes are now gated. Work with the fire department to make sure access requirements are met.
   
• Don't run extension cords under carpets or from unit-to-unit.
   
• They can easily overheat. Extension cords are for temporary use only. They are not to be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. 
   
• Get acquainted with the elderly folks in your building.  If there's a fire, they may have extra difficulty getting out. You may be able to help them, or you can direct firefighters to the elderly person's apartment.

 What to Do if There's a Fire

• Once out - STAY OUT! Do not go back in for ANY reason.
   
• Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.
   
• Give the dispatcher as much accurate information as you can.
   
• Use your fire escape plan. Go to the designated family meeting place.
   
• Try to let neighbors know to get out. Help elderly folks or families who have many children.
   
• Have someone meet the fire trucks when they arrive, if it can be done safely.
   
• Keep the fire lanes open.
   
• If you can't get out, use a mobile phone to stay in touch with 9-1-1 dispatchers. Shine a flashlight or wave a sheet out the window to alert firefighters that you're trapped.
   
• Stay calm.

Lastly, everyone should plan for a disaster whether it be an earthquake, wildfire or flooding.  Here's a link to an excellent Disaster Preparedness Checklist on the City's website: 

http://sandiego.gov/fireandems/safety/disaster.shtml

Creative Solutions

Here is an idea we tried and it works. Last April the Mayor and I were on hand when we turned loose a small herd of goats on a patch of open space in Tierrasanta. It was a section of the community where you could see how the fire came up to the edge of homes and property lines in this particular neighborhood. It was a test to see if this novel concept would work as a cost effective means of brush abatement. Using goats is far less expensive than having a crew of workers cut down brush and then haul it away. Despite the many jokes and comments about goats, the one-week trial was a success. The fires certainly proved the importance of thinning brush in open spaces near homes.

One obstacle to using goats in the City was an ordinance which prohibits it. However, the Natural Resources and Culture Committee voted to introduce a new ordinance at the Sept 22nd meeting that would permit the use of goats. This issue will come to the full Council next month. Jan Eby of the Park and Rec Open Space division deserves credit for researching this idea and bringing it to fruition. Kudos to her. And, as I have said before, it is nice to know that in a fast-paced, high-tech world there is still a place for low-tech solutions.

Rebuilding is on going . . .

Today in Tierrasanta, there are varied signs of reconstruction taking place.

At the Belsera condominiums, we recently celebrated the completion of four condo units with families moving back in. In fact, according to the contractor BelFor, Belsera is the first multi-family project where the units were completely destroyed in the Cedar Fire to be finished.
 

In other areas of Tierrasanta you'll find homes only now beginning the process of pouring the foundations to those well along in the framing stages to others that are also beginning to move back.

Looking ahead . . .

October 23, 2004

There are several events of interest taking place that day. The Fire Safe Roofing Expo will take place. David Susi of RSI Roofing, also on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Roofing Contractors Assn., is the Committee Chair for the Fire Safe Roofing Expo. David wants to see a successful expo that will benefit those people who are still looking for a safe alternative to wood roofing and/or those people who are confused by the new building code changes and requirements. Booths will be available to Roofing Contractors, Landscaping and Siding experts and to non-profit organizations connected with the Recovery Efforts. The Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group as well as the Tierrasanta CERT Team will be active participants in the Expo.

Those affected by the fires in Tierrasanta are holding a fundraiser on the one year anniversary. The Tierrasanta Fire Recovery Group will have their own booth and hope to raise awareness of their efforts, awareness of safety issues, awareness of child safety, at the same time raising funds for the Tierrasanta fire survivors.

Here is an announcement about the Expo:

The San Diego Roofing Contractors' Association (SDRCA), a nonprofit organization with over 50 years' experience of providing roofing services in the San Diego community, will conduct a Fire-Safe Roofing Expo on Saturday, October 23, 2004. The Expo-a free event for ALL -will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Junipero Serra High School in Tierrasanta (5156 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124).  Click on this link for a map.

The Roofing Expo will showcase fire-safe roofing materials and related products including solar panels, gutters and skylights. The Expo will also feature information on landscaping for fire prevention, expert consultations on insurance and safety issues, and homeowners assistance programs.

The SDRCA's primary goal is to assist homeowners in making well-informed decisions about purchasing fire-safe products and related services. To achieve this goal, the SDRCA offers the association members expert product-based seminars and apprenticeship programs as well as monthly membership meetings. Special events-such as this free Expo-enable association members to make a real and lasting difference to the San Diego homeowners' community.

For further information contact Sue Walker at the SDCRA office (619) 401-7914.

An Open Letter to the Community: "Tierrasanta Roof
Buyers Consortium" by Eric Germain

The Cedar Fire destroyed over 300 homes in Scripps Ranch and Tierrasanta last October. If you are a concerned Tierrasanta homeowner who is worried about your old wood-shake roof, and if you have decided to replace your roof sometime soon, then you are not alone.

Some twenty Tierrasantans have joined forces and formed the "Tierrasanta Roof Buyers Consortium." The goal of this Consortium is to collectively select a high-quality roofer, negotiate a volume discount with the roofer, and replace all of our roofs with an approved Grade A material sometime before the next fire season. The homeowners have agreed to disband the Consortium, and go it alone, if they are unable as a group to reach favorable terms with a reputable roofer.

To find out more about Consortium please contact Eric Germain at 858-279-7397 or by e-mail at WoodShakeRoofs@yahoo.com.

Helping to Rebuild

If you know anyone rebuilding after the fires then please tell them about this program.

The San Diego Regional Energy Office in partnership with the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) are sponsoring a program that provides financial and technical support to help people who lost their homes in the 2003 fires rebuild in an energy efficient manner.  This program provides a unique opportunity to assist the people devastated by the fires by helping them to rebuild their homes, while incorporating energy efficiency measures that will provide them longterm energy savings.  Also, some commercial, multifamily or accessory buildings destroyed in the fires may also qualify.  Please click here to view a flyer with more details or you can visit their web site at www.sdenergy.org to obtain more information regarding the program as well details on energy workshops specifically dedicated to helping people rebuild their home, or you may call their energy hot line at 1-877-284-5373.

Harvard Bound

In closing, I want to tell you about a program that I'm attending next week.  I'm very honored to have been accepted to attend the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University.  This dynamic program was custom designed for senior officials in federal, state, and local government responsible for and involved with preparedness, response or recovery from terrorist events and natural disasters - just like the fires we experienced last year.  With support from the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's an 8-month program that takes me to Harvard for a week, then monthly meetings via video phone and a return to Harvard next June for the wrap-up. I'll let you know the highlights in future eNewsletters.

My next eNewsletter will be coming out soon as we have many other things to share in addition to all we had here about fires.
 

Thanks for reading the eNewsletter, I hope you enjoyed it.  If you have any suggestions or comments, please email me at JMadaffer@SanDiego.gov