CAL FIRE gets MADD

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was honored to participate in the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) San Bernardino County Memorial Tribute and Community Awareness Event. This first of its kind event was held on Saturday, October 9th at Wildwood park in San Bernardino and was sponsored by the San Bernardino Chapter of MADD. It was designed to honor to the memories of those who have been killed by drunk drivers in San Bernardino County.


Participants included CAL FIRE, San Bernardino City Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. San Bernardino P.D. and the CHP along with a variety of health and safety organizations. Besides honoring and remembering those who have been killed by drunk drivers, the event also served to remind the public that there remains a lot to do.

In California, nearly 1,300 people are killed and approximately 31,000 people are injured annually because of people driving under the influence. Nationally, on average, one person is killed every 30 minutes by a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

CAL FIRE is proud to stand with MADD and the other agencies in the ongoing effort to reduce the damage and death caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. For more information visit the MADD website at http://www.madd.org/

Fire Prevention Week

The 2010 Fire Prevention Week is off to a great start. Running from October 3 to October 9, Fire Prevention Week is a time for the public to interact with the fire service in an effort to help prevent fires. This year's theme is "SMOKE ALARMS: a sound you can live with".

Fire Prevention week got off to an early start for the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit with their participation at the Yucaipa Emergency Preparedness Expo. There was a bit of a Halloween theme for the CAL FIRE booth, but the message was clear none the less.

The Yucaipa event was followed by the San Bernardino City Fire Department open house on Saturday, October 3rd. The event was well attended and lots of fire prevention material for young and old was passed out. And as always, the fire engine was a big crowd pleaser.

This coming Saturday, October 9th, San Bernardino CAL FIRE personnel will be attending and supporting the MADD San Bernardino County Memorial Tribute and Community Awareness Event. This event will be held at Wildwood Park in San Bernardino at the corner of Waterman Avenue and 40th Street from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Out in the Yucca Valley area, CAL FIRE Firefighters are participating in three days of fire prevention efforts in cooperation with Home Depot.

With the coming time change from daylight savings to standard time, it is also time to think about changing the batteries in the smoke detectors in your home. To find our more facts about smoke detectors and home fires, go to the National Fire Prevention Association web site:
http://www.nfpa.org/

And even though we have had some wet weather, do not fall into the trap of thinking that the threat of wildfire is over for the year. Much of the vegetation remains dry and can readily burn. With the Santa Ana wind season just beginning, there is still a large potential for wildfire. We need your help in preventing wildfire when you are out in the wildland areas.