Page 49 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2016

Preparing for El Niño
GRATON FIRE
Christmas Tree Farm
Thank you to everyone who came to our fire station to get a Christmas tree and support our volunteers. For the fifth year, we also brought in Noble and Nordman Fir trees from a sustainable farm in Oregon... They were so popular, we sold out! In addition, hundreds of people cut down their own trees. Most importantly, we appreciate your support to keep our tree farm sustainable. We look forward to seeing you next season!
Toy Drive... Another Success
The 2015 Toy Drive was a fantastic success, thank you! Graton Fire was able to deliver presents to over 40 children, brightening their holidays. We wish everyone could experience the joy we see when the fire engine pulls up and delivers your presents... once again, thank you. A tremendous thank you also needs to go out to Andy’s Produce, Graton Community Club, Sebastopol Hardware, Exchange Bank, and Graton Post Office for being toy collection points in addition to cash donations from a number of residents to our toy drive.
HEALDSBURG FIRE
The 10th Annual Fire Department Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge is happening in Healdsburg on Wednesday, January 13th from 2pm - 7pm. Location: Truck Bay - 601 Healdsburg Ave. This year, the goal is to reach a combined total of 10,000 blood donors throughout Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino county’s. Mike Bates, Commander-Division Chief for Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, states, “First responders witness the devastation and trauma a person can experience with no warning. Doing our part with the Bucket Brigade Challenge ensures that these people and all in need of blood can have a healthy supply ready at all times .” All blood donors will receive a Bucket Brigade T-Shirt! The schedule your lifesaving appointment go to www.bloodheroes.com/index.
1/16 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 49
El Niño is the warming of ocean currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This warmer water increases air moisture and affects weather. When El Niño is active, there is a greater than normal probability of monsoon like rains along the Pacific Coast of California. These rains, if they develop, can result in small urban streams and washes overrunning their banks as well as regional and large scale flooding.
• Prepare your home and contents. Open drains and keep ditches and other water collection ways clear of leaves and debris. Clean your rain gutters of all leaves, debris, and dirt. Have any trees that appear weakened by drought inspected by an arborist. Have roof repairs made and other leaks fixed before it starts to rain.
What You Can Do
• Prepare emergency provisions and have an emergency evacuation plan in place for your family. Have a dry place to store storm supplies. Since electric power may be affected, store up plenty of flashlight batteries and if you are on a well or booster pump, store several gallons of bottled water.
• Store “long life” non-refrigerated provisions. This includes emergency cooking equipment, food, water, and fresh batteries. Localized flooding, mud slides and downed trees may prevent you from moving about the community by automobile until public works and emergency services can mobilize and get roadways cleared.
• If your property is low lying or is impacted by high runoff volumes, know where to find sandbags and other emergency provisions. Check with local emergency service agencies before you have an emergency and know where to tune in for emergency broadcasts and official information.
• Consider flood insurance. Homeowner’s policies typically do not cover flood damage. Most flood policies require a 30 day waiting period. Make an itemized list of personal property, which includes clothing, furnishings, and valuables. Take photographs of your home, both inside and out, and store in a safe place. This will help an insurance adjuster to settle any claims and to help you prove uninsured losses.
• Know the non-emergency number to use to reach your local public safety communications center. If you have a storm related problem and it is not a life threatening emergency or fire, you should use the dispatch center’s non- emergency line.
• If you suspect a serious property threat or life safety problem, please dial 9-1-1.
Holiday Tree Disposal
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention Officers Association (FPO) urges everyone to dispose of their trees as soon as possible, once it begins to show signs of drying out. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), one-third of all Christmas tree fires occur in January.
The first rule of tree disposal: NEVER put the tree or branches in a fireplace or wood burning stove! Sonoma County Waste Management has made it easy to recycle with three options:
1. There is no charge for county residents to put trees in your yard waste container and, on a limited number of days, your whole tree will be picked up at the curb.
The tree MUST BE CUT TO FIT inside the container as trees sticking out of the container can interfere with the lifting arm on the truck. Many communities have whole tree collection. Visit www.recyclenow.org or call 565-3375 to confirm the week of pick-up. Only un-flocked trees are accepted.
2. Call (707) 565-3333 for an appointment to have a non-profit pickup your tree. The suggested donation is $7 for trees less than 6 feet - $10 for larger trees. 3. Free drop-off locations throughout the county. There are dates for all communities on www.recyclenow.org or call 565-3375. The dates continue through mid-January.
For more information on recycling, please contact 565-3375. The Sonoma County FPOs’ wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!