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State of Emergency in California
Raging forest fires in California destroyed 2,205 structures and approximately 427,217 acres have burned. There are currently 33,985 structures reportedly threatened. At the height of the fires, 900,000 people were evacuated, but that number continues to fall as evacuations are lifted. At least 12 people have died. [Watch Coverage]What you can do:
This Halloween spread awareness and pick up some bucks to send to organizations working on helping California recover. Here is a flyer you can spread around: [Flyer PDF]
The Red Cross is providing immediate relief.Architecture for Humanity’s San Diego and Los Angeles Chapters are currently on the ground responding to the fires that have left more than 1500 homes destroyed these last few days. Link to Architecture for Humanity San Diego Rebuild: http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/node/1245
Other ways to volunteer and get involved
- Learn more at CAL FIRE website www.fire.ca.gov
- Explore volunteer opportunities at www.californiavolunteers.org
Present location of fires and aid
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Effective Disaster Response
It is my contention that the last responders, which is the building industry, should be part of the first responders. Who better to conduct table top field exercises for preparation and mitigation of residential properties. The problem is they are too busy making a living to get involved with the State. But I've come up with a viable solution, and we have been initiating this concept for two years in Northern California. A live call-in construction radio show that encourages people to be aware of the dangers and prepare for the time. The networking of the building industry for the purpose of education through entertainment, in an interactive format. It is my vision, to see a network of construction talk/radio shows like mine throughout California, and then to the Nation. Here, the public can check the reputation of bonafide general building contractors, and hear them talk shop on the radio. Then when the disasters are over and the insurance companies make payments, the mitigation process will have kept at bay, the unscrupulous and corrupt. Along with the web, a powerful medium for the age. See www.talkradiobuilder.com