Fire Volunteering Opportunities

[cstone]

I agree that this type of organization would be useful for more than just the current fires. Like Jim was describing, if you already live in a community with similarly minded people this would not be as much of an issue. Here in the burbs, most of my neighbors are nice but not necessarily similarly minded. I can think of a few neighbors who would birth calves if they thought there was an evil black rifle within a five mile radius of their home.

Chris, that is a generous offer to assist in the organization. What steps would you suggest we take first?

[J]

I can think of a few neighbors who would birth calves if they thought there was an evil black rifle within a five mile radius of their home.

Hate to go off topic for a minute...

Had a neighbor from up the street I had never met come by with a flat tire wheel barrow. We were building 2 ARs in the garage when he came up to ask to borrow a tire pump. He asked if we were making paintball guns. I responded: Nope! These are a bit more real than that. Here is my Tire pump. Hope it helps.

Didn't seem too freaked out, which was nice.

[cstone]

Hate to go off topic for a minute...

Had a neighbor from up the street I had never met come by with a flat tire wheel barrow. We were building 2 ARs in the garage when he came up to ask to borrow a tire pump. He asked if we were making paintball guns. I responded: Nope! These are a bit more real than that. Here is my Tire pump. Hope it helps.

Didn't seem too freaked out, which was nice.

Well, at least your neighbor didn't call the police. Did he bring your tire pump back

Back to the volunteer network. I would think this would be an alternative community for those of us who tend to spend way too much time on this board. For some of us, this is our local community.

I am in Thornton near 136th and I-25. We have space and can take in people for short term until they can get back home or make other arrangements. If you need a meal or just a safe place to store some items. We will take photos and make up receipts to make certain if you leave it here for safe keeping, it will be here, all safe and sound when you come back for it.

If there is something specific someone needs and they aren't comfortable posting it on the board, PM me. I will call you or email you or if necessary will come and meet you. Whatever needs to be done, we will find a way to get it done.

Be safe.

[gnihcraes]

Salvation Army usually has a food truck at the fire site feeding firefighters. Check with them about hauling some food up for the cook or volunteering in some form related.

[Great-Kazoo]

I agree that this type of organization would be useful for more than just the current fires. Like Jim was describing, if you already live in a community with similarly minded people this would not be as much of an issue. Here in the burbs, most of my neighbors are nice but not necessarily similarly minded. I can think of a few neighbors who would birth calves if they thought there was an evil black rifle within a five mile radius of their home.

Chris, that is a generous offer to assist in the organization. What steps would you suggest we take first?

What ever info you get LMK. I still have my hazwopper Level II (emergency responder) books if someone would like to browse through it.

[cmailliard]

First come up with some possible mission profiles - what types of support would be undertaken and available. Then develop the primary function of the group, right away I would think Logistics - become gophers, provide support with weath of knowledge and equipment I would guess members here could get their hands on - generators, vehicles, off road vehicles (Gators, etc.), etc.

This support can be to responders and/or those affected by the situation.

After some mission profiles are on the table lets see what kind of assets are available from the group to support those missions. This can be semi permanent thing such as I have an F-250 that can pull a trailer, as well as a query via email, text, etc for an immediate need that was not previously identified. This is almost sounding like a disaster Craigslist - which may be something in and of itself.

Next, identify any organizations that can be partnered with, for example - animal rescue teams that may need vehicles and man power or medical teams that need infrastructure i.e. shelter, generators, vehicles to move people around, etc.

Once there are some ideas out there, let's get together and fine tune the ideas into a working project and see what it turns into.

Ideas? Throw'em out there

[gnihcraes]

Amateur Radio is usally with Salvation Army too, they can always use help running messages or food to certain locations.

[Great-Kazoo]

A basic idea of how involved you are wanting to go would be the first thing to be determined. All out or hold on until the cavalry arrives.

Designated Incident Commander who would take charge.
The phone tree idea works, unless as with tonight's CS fire, cell tower down, causes service issues.
Logistics.
Who is handling communication with other EMS units, who directs traffic, trauma area, decon if necessary.
Food and liquids for consumption, separate area for restrooms, disposal of waste from area, trash containment, etc. Sanitary conditions for minor surgical procedures.
I have extensive hands on with decon's, DI water systems, sterilization techniques, cross contamination .

Tool accessibility
Chain saws, air compressors, generators, fire suppression and containment equipment, transportation, emergency lighting.

Security
Level headed folks to watch a secured area. Hand held radios so you know what the other hand is doing.
Clearly defined Identification, to determine who is who they say they are.

[tmckay2]

im of the opinion that at this point in the game the best thing we can do is support the fire fighters with food and water. the idea of handing out free water isn't a bad idea. it gets hot as balls near those fires and depending on how long they stay out there getting nice cold water might be difficult.

[Irving]

I want to know about some way to help for people like me who don't have a truck, don't have room for people, don't have much time off work, etc.