Response to the
Southern California Fires
John Jalkanen
Oct 24, 2007
The predominantly ex-military and business mid and upper
class
hard working men and women who plan and implement emergency response in
So Cal had a complete system in place to receive state, fed and
international aid of all types; military, firefighters, supplies, fema,
money, medical etc. The aid came before the papers were signed,
literally.
To determine our own evacuation needs I was glued to the tube watching
press conferences every hour with Arnold et al and I noticed how
efficiently and systematically they put in place evacuations and
evacuation routes. By deploying police and fire personnel to keep the
routes open at all costs, they made certain that the way was clear for
as long as it would take to evacuate each community. The military
precision was evident.
The business sense to pre create entities to receive the largess that
is available for the asking created a smooth inflow of aid and an
honest, competent, ‘willingness to serve’ attitude
prevailed.
Our community based local systems for sheltering the tens of thousands
were pre planned and communications through the city, county, state,
and federal agencies were efficiently transmitted to the next layer.
Communiqu�s didn’t fall through the cracks. Facts
about
routes, fire locations- down to the streets and cross streets were
disseminated to the media in a way that prevented rumor and
misunderstandings. There was never a sense of panic or desperation.
On the first day the local TV stations showed the state insurance czar
who came to the podium and said 2 things:
1. You will be treated fairly by your insurance companies.
2. Our fraud investigation units are in town and ready to prosecute to
the max.
Then the sheriff and police chief said 2 things.
1. We have zero tolerance for looting.
2. We will protect your homes, so don’t be afraid to evacuate
when called.
They weren’t kidding. Though all ethnic neighborhoods were
evacuated, only 2 people were arrested as of this morning. They
deployed 35 man security squads into each evacuated area. These guys
are clear on what the job is and how to get it done.
As planned, during the first evacuations the county supervisor called
the SD Grocers Assoc. and gave them addresses to deliver their
donations to.
Royalty. This is how evacuees described their receptions at shelters
large and small. The well trained volunteers received evacuees as
though on a red carpet. Every necessary and unnecessary necessity was
provided.
This is now the model for excellence.